Bypassing Split Block

[siderealx]

Still new to the Helix (Stomp) and getting on well with it, but I'm stuck on a seemingly simple problem and can't find the answer...

 

In patches with two paths via a Y or A/B split block, how do I simply bypass path A or B so no signal and no effects are audible? Working in HX Edit, clicking the bypass switch above the split block doesn't actually bypass either path. 

 

What I want to achieve is a situation where I can turn say path B on via a switch or snapshot. Nothing should be audible from B unless the switch is enabled. I can add a volume as the first pedal on either path and assign that but it's a bit crude and takes up space.

 

Thanks in advance! 

[rd2rk]

Use an A/B Split Block and assign a FS to the ROUTE TO parameter.

It will toggle between A and B.

You can also do it with Snapshots by assigning the ROUTE TO parameter to SNAPSHOTS and then saving each Snapshot with that parameter set as desired.

[siderealx]

On 8/1/2025 at 7:02 PM, rd2rk said:

Use an A/B Split Block and assign a FS to the ROUTE TO parameter.

It will toggle between A and B.

You can also do it with Snapshots by assigning the ROUTE TO parameter to SNAPSHOTS and then saving each Snapshot with that parameter set as desired.

 

Thanks! That's very helpful to know, but I think I worded the question a bit badly...

 

I don't want to toggle between the two, but switch A and/or B on or off, so they are otherwise running in parallel and both audible. 

 

I hope that makes more sense - cheers!

[rd2rk]

On 8/1/2025 at 11:18 AM, siderealx said:

Nothing should be audible from B unless the switch is enabled.

 

On 8/1/2025 at 12:31 PM, siderealx said:

I don't want to toggle between the two, but switch A and/or B on or off, so they are otherwise running in parallel and both audible. 

 

???

 

Perhaps if you describe WHY you want to do whatever it is that you actually want to do?

[siderealx]

I have several examples, but the current example is I have a BBD delay on path A and a harmony delay on path B. The delays mustn't interact for obvious chaotic reasons. 

 

I want the first section of a song to have just the BBD delay on path A (with no signal whatsoever from B), the second section to have both A and B (the 'neutral' parallel setting), and the third section to switch off the BBD on A leaving just B (with no signal from A).

 

If I enable/disable the delay blocks, it lets through the dry signal thus boosting the clean output which is not desired. Also the solution mustn't affect delay/reverb tails. Perhaps I'm going about this the wrong way but it's a legit request! 

 

 

 

 

[rd2rk]

Snapshots. Example attached.

MIX Block Levels for both A and B are assigned to Snapshots.

It's hard to hear the BBD over the Harmony, so mess with the settings, I just set them quick to verify that it works.

Just remember that if Snapshot Recall is set to discard, you'll need to SAVE the preset each time you make a change, so you might want to set that to recall while you're messing with the settings.

 

 

siderealx.hlx

[siderealx]

Thanks, yeh that makes sense but I think it kills the tails... 

 

Would the same idea work but with an A/B split block? I don't know how it affects the output levels (I can't test at the moment).

 

I sort of need a split block that behaves like a mixer so I can control the input of each path. Hence why I suggested the volume pedal at the front of A & B. 

 

Seems like a natural thing to do to me, but suprised it seems like a limitation.

[rd2rk]

The "trails" parameter of the delay blocks needs to be ON.

If you want "with no signal from A/with no signal whatsoever from B", THAT'S going to cut off the "tails".

A/B Split blocks are either/or, no both. That's why I'm using the MIX block, because it is a MIXER.

Attached is the same thing but simply bypassing the inactive block, thus leaving any "tails" to ring out.

Test the examples when you get a chance and play with the settings within each block.

siderealx2.hlx

[siderealx]

On 8/1/2025 at 10:08 PM, rd2rk said:

The "trails" parameter of the delay blocks needs to be ON.

If you want "with no signal from A/with no signal whatsoever from B", THAT'S going to cut off the "tails".

A/B Split blocks are either/or, no both. That's why I'm using the MIX block, because it is a MIXER.

Attached is the same thing but simply bypassing the inactive block, thus leaving any "tails" to ring out.

Test the examples when you get a chance and play with the settings within each block.

siderealx2.hlx 4.94 kB · 0 downloads

 

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll test these over the weekend and play with further examples. I think I have a better understanding of the split/mixer options at least. 

 

[themetallikid]

one other option would be to put a simple volume/gain block at the beginning of each A/B chain and set that to snapshots.  The block would always be engaged, but you could assign the volume to be 0/100 or so depending on what you wanted. 

[rd2rk]

On 8/8/2025 at 5:23 AM, themetallikid said:

one other option would be to put a simple volume/gain block at the beginning of each A/B chain and set that to snapshots.  The block would always be engaged, but you could assign the volume to be 0/100 or so depending on what you wanted. 

 

That would work and keep the "tails" intact, but since he's using an HXS, that would use up two valuable blocks.

[lindsayward]

This thread was helpful for me looking for a similar thing. I used a Split Y block with two paths, wanting to switch the 2nd path on with a footswitch. I used controller assign and
Min Route To: A 100
Max Route To: Even Split

 

Now, can I ask: what is the intended usage of bypassing a split block? Turning it on or off seems to make no difference, except now that I have the controller assign, when the block is bypassed the split is always even.

[Schmalle]

 

On 8/23/2025 at 6:45 AM, lindsayward said:

This thread was helpful for me looking for a similar thing. I used a Split Y block with two paths, wanting to switch the 2nd path on with a footswitch. I used controller assign and
Min Route To: A 100
Max Route To: Even Split

 

Now, can I ask: what is the intended usage of bypassing a split block? Turning it on or off seems to make no difference, except now that I have the controller assign, when the block is bypassed the split is always even.

You could have achieved the same result by setting Split A/B to A 100. Then bypassing it does the even split.

 

There is other stuff that the split block can do like the Frequency Split where a bypass is needed to disengage it.