SOLVED - Take lanes ONE MORE TIME (how to NOT mute other clips)

I know there's been some semi-heated discussions about take lanes, so I'll steer clear of any opinion on likes/dislikes about them.  My simple question is how to stop them from MUTING other takes when I split an existing clip.
 
Here's the snapshot:  If I record a vocalist, for example, singing 4 tracks and split one of them FROM WITHIN the take lanes, previous takes are MUTED (I accomplish this by right-clicking and selecting "split", then muting other pieces using the "K" button).  Whereas, if I were to split them from the TRACK VIEW, nothing gets muted.  Obviously it's harder to "see" all of them in track view since they're all superimposed on top of each other.  Important detail is that my pointer is ALWAYS on SMART TOOL -- I wonder if that has anything to do with it.  Basically, that exact process worked until X3.
 
Those who have seen me post before may recall that I'm old school when it comes to comping and have yet to learn the new speed comping process, out of no other reason than time.
 
So...is there a workaround for going about it this way?  If you can't visualize what I'm talking about, it's like the comp consists of snips of takes A-B-C-D in various combinations up to, say 2:00 mark, then at 2:05 if I split take A, all of the previous B-C-D's get muted.  It's crazy to remember which ones were the keepers...usually the fade in/out that I draw is the only saving clue.
 
Anyone?  Thanks in advance.

brundlefly
Split using ALT with the Smart tool instead of with the Comp tool that Smart tool defaults to in the lower part of a clip.

Thanks BF...I'll give it a try...crossing my fingers.