User Manual

Universal Bypass | 25
UNIVERSAL BYPASS
™
Most effect pedals offer either true or buffered bypass. Soundblox 2
offers Universal Bypass, which allows you to select between the two.
We recommend that you choose between the Orbital Modulator’s active
analog (a.k.a. buffered bypass) and relay-based true bypass (a.k.a.
true bypass) based on what is needed in your pedalboard’s signal chain
(Ideally, the first pedal in a signal chain should be a buffered input
followed by true bypass in the rest of the signal chain).
By default, the Soundblox 2 Orbital Modulator is set to use the relay-
based true bypass. To switch the pedal to buffered bypass press and hold
the right footswitch when powering up the pedal. Continue to hold the
footswitch until the corresponding LED blinks 3 times. The pedal is now
in buffered bypass. To switch back to true bypass, replicate this process
with the left footswitch.
Both bypass methods have pros and cons associated with them. Buffered
bypass provides a consistent input impedance so that if the input is
susceptible (like a guitar pickup) to variations in input impedance there
won’t be a noticeable change in tone. True bypass has the benefit of
providing a dedicated hardwire bypass signal path; however, it can cause
clicks/pops and typically requires a mechanically complex 3P3T (3-pole,
3-throw) switch. Soundblox 2’s special relay-based true bypass eliminates
the need for the 3P3T switch and thus the popping/clicking problem.