We’ll go with

…perhaps I'm missing the point and there's some way to 'fix' the split point?

In your MODX, Yamaha separates the NOTE SHIFT function from the TRANSPOSE function. And although they do similar things — they are not interchangeable.

Change Globally
Press [UTILITY]
Touch “Setting” > “Sound”
Here you’ll see a split screen, top half concerns the Tone Generator, bottom half the Keyboard
TRANSPOSE is used in the synth when it is a function of the Keyboard transmitting.
NOTE SHIFT is used in the synth when referring to the Tone Generator receiving.

NOTE SHIFT changes what pitch sounds when you touch a Key. The keyboard split point(s) will remain where they were set. The Note Shift only affects the internal tone engine, it does not affect what goes Out via MIDI from the keyboard.

TRANSPOSE changes what pitch sounds when you touch a Key. The split points will move as you add/subtract semitones. The Transpose will also go Out via MIDI from the keyboard.

You are interested in changing NOTE SHIFT, (the Tone Generator receiving); a +3 setting for Note Shift will keep the split point physically the same, but allows you to ‘cheat’… you hit ‘G’ with +3 Note Shift, a ‘Bb’ will sound… your physical split points will remain as set.

Use this method when, on the spot, the singer wants to change the key… it will work quickly to adjust the Key… you can continue to play in ‘G’ while what sounds will be the key of ‘Bb’.

Alternative: Change per Performance
If you wish to make this change permanent (ie, you want to store this within the Performance itself… you will find “NOTE SHIFT” as a parameter within each Part. From the HOME screen, select a Part —> Press [EDIT] —> touch “Part Settings” > “Pitch” > find “Note Shift”

Select each musical Part (skip the drums/percussion), set the Note Shift parameter to +3… then name and store your Performance.
Highly recommended that you put a reference to the Note Shift amount in the Performance Name.
Use this method when you have time to prepare ahead of time.

You are interested in NOTE SHIFT, a +3 setting for Note Shift will keep the split point, but allow you ‘cheat’… you hit ‘G’ with +3 a ‘Bb’ will sound… you physical split points will remain as set.

Thanks... that's useful. I've only had the MODX for a couple of weeks and hadn't spotted that. I had spotted how to make permanent key shifts, but not the temporary ones.

It does beg the question though... why is Yamaha's front panel implementation of Transpose different to everyone elses? My Roland Juno DS for example has Pitch shift in patch edit, and Performance edit, Master Key Shift, as well as front panel Transpose, .. and none of them moves the split-point!

You now know how it works on your Yamaha MODX. I cannot answer for what other companies may do… we try to deal with “How” questions and leave the “how come” questions completely alone. 🙂

If you ask that question you may not get the significance of the difference.

If you play Note number 67 this will be G3 on your MODX
Say you’re playing a piano/bass split…
C-2 thru B2 = bass
C3 thru G8 = piano

If you NOTE SHIFT +3, all Tone Generator sounds are a minor third higher… this is what you need. When you hit NOTE #67 G3, instead of a G a Bb, a minor third higher, will sound. All we have done is shift the pitch that comes from the Tone Generator. We have done nothing to the Keyboard. All we have done is shift the Tone Generator.

If instead, you TRANSPOSE +3, all Tone Generator sounds are also a minor third higher, because what we have done is change what Note number is assigned to each Key. Middle C is no longer Note 60, middle C generates Note #63. The split point, instead of being located at B2/C3 is now a minor third down G#/A.
Striking the G above middle C (G3) will actually be like pressing Note #70… it now generates Note number 70.

They accomplish the same thing — one by moving (shifting) the tone generator target, the other by changing the Note number generated by the key(board itself. But as I said initially, they are not interchangeable.