snapshot vs true spillover mode latency

[mautej]

Hello, I am currently using snapshot mode and I discovered that running a signal chain of same effects trough both lines adds latency.

 

So, I am running two signal chains between whitch I am swiching in snapshots.

 

And I need to know, if I would be switching to true spillover mode that it doesn’t add latency?

[silverhead]

I’m not sure I understand the latency you describe. Can you attach a preset that demonstrates this?

[Schmalle]

@mautejIt probably doesn't add latency, because in true spillover mode the DSP's are working one for the current preset and one for the preset that is loading. It's like having two HX Stomps in parallel where only one is providing signal.

 

There is no DSP chaining like in a Path A -> Path B configuration, so I suspect no added latency. 

 

I don't have a Helix so I can't verify this with measured data.

 

That said the increase in latency of a two path patch is marginal (a fraction of a millisecond) and shouldn't be an issue.

[theElevators]

Yes, there is certain latency involved, the more effects you have in your chain.  That is how it is.  I've used many "max'ed out" presets with a wireless, which adds 7ms, and did not suffer.  

 

In terms of overall latency, I do think that theoretically, if you have 2 DSP chips running the same signal path as the single-DSP chip, the latency will be more.  But I have not bothered with that test.  So, when you enable "gapless switching", with your minimal signal chain, you may have lower latency.  Every DSP chip in theory should add on to the digital latency. 

[waymda]

On 11/17/2025 at 11:06 PM, mautej said:

Hello, I am currently using snapshot mode and I discovered that running a signal chain of same effects trough both lines adds latency.

 

So, I am running two signal chains between whitch I am swiching in snapshots.

 

And I need to know, if I would be switching to true spillover mode that it doesn’t add latency?

You're experiencing latency thats beyond my mortal hearing/feeling, and I use fully loaded lines a lot, as well as a number of patches that use one sound on Path A, and another on Path B, switching between them using volume changes at the end of each, switchin each between -120db and 0db repsectively (generally a gain block, but when the lines are full the output volume).

 

One thing I do know is that Snapshots change controlled parameters in series (super quick) not in parellel, and the order of change is not (easily) manageable. That can cause 'zipping' noises, and may be what you're exceriencing. If you're deseperate, the paramater changes can be reordered in txt versions of exported patches - but don't break them.

 

Why don't you just enable spillover to test if it meets your needs (after backing everything up of course)? That seems to be the only way you'll know if you still experience the same issue.