Boss VF-1 Effect Processor

BOSS VF-1 using 1.12

* Connect mono input signal to front input or rear L (mono) input
* Connect mono output to rear L (mono) output jack
* Pick any gated reverb algorithm patch
* Move to the direct:fx parameter
* Move the blend towards direct, note how you hear absolutely no direct signal at all, with the output totally dropping off when you get too 100:0 balance of direct:fx

For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get a direct signal to blend in. Would love to use gated verb with my electronic drums, but need to direct signal present.

Signal flow chart in the manual on p.68 appears to indicate the direct signal is output the same side as the input, thus L input direct to L output, though the actual reverb is summed and output to both outputs simultaneously. But I've tried the R output as well with the same result, or so I recall.

Can anyone reproduce? Any ideas?