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Helios

The Rolling Stones had a silver one in their mobile truck, The Beatles had two green ones at Apple Studios and 10cc had a red one at their Strawberry Studios. These are, of course, the legendary Helios mixing desks, an often overlooked and forgotten console having recorded many hit records of the 60s and 70s and designed by the late Dick Swettenham. After Helios Electronics Ltd. closed down in 1979, Tony Arnold of Courthouse Facilities, who had been servicing the consoles, bought the company and started reissuing what's considered the best-sounding of the four different Helios module iterations: the Type 69 microphone preamp/EQ. Repeatedly tested against their surviving vintage modules, these incredibly faithful recreations pass every test thrown their way. The Type 69 mic pre is available through Vintage King alongside an exclusive series of Helios products, including the 1U dual-channel rack and Type 69 500-Series module.

Helios Type 69-500
500 Series version of the renowned mic pre/EQ, used by Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, etc.

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The Helios 1r Stereo Type 69 Mic Pre/Eq is built in an aluminum case and has a glossy black front panel with white silk-screened labeling. The unit is well constructed and neatly wired using all discrete components (no chips). It runs on a 32-volt rail supplied from an internal OEM switching power supply. The mic preamp uses a Sowter Type 8666X input transformer based on the highly desirable Lustraphone (Olympic Sound Studios) transformer model. Input impedance is 1,200 ohms. A separate switchable secondary winding provides for -20 dB of mic attenuation. 
 
<a href="http://instantvintage.net/docs/Helios_1r_Review_Music_Tech_August_2011.pdf">Check out the Helios 1r review in MusicTech magazine</a>
 
Front panel controls for each channel start on the left side with the mic/line gain switching and a small output-level clip LED. A toggle switch selects between mic, -20dB mic attenuation and the 10k-ohm line input. A seven-position Elma rotary switch doubles as both line input and mic input gain control. There are -5dB and 0dB line gain positions. The five mic gain positions start at 20 dB and go to 70 dB in 10dB steps. Other toggle switches include phase (polarity) flip, EQ cut, mic phantom powering on/off and the ATT switch, where you can engage a small front panel trim pot for a small range of input level adjustment.
The 3-band passive equalizer section uses a combination of RC and LC tone circuits, starting with an RC-based, 10kHz, 6dB-per-octave shelving filter with +/- 10dB range. The LC-based midrange equalizer has a surprising number of frequency choices on a single knob. They are: 0.7, 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 3.5, 4.5, 6 and 16 kHz. There is a Peak and Trough toggle switch. (Trough is Brit-speak for cut.) Up to 15 dB of boost/cut is available on the unmarked +/- control. The starting Q for the midrange is a wide three octaves at 700 Hz; then, by 6 kHz, it narrows to two octaves. Q is proportionate: The more boost/cut, the higher the Q.
The LC-based bass section allows up to 15dB boost/cut, and when the control is fully counterclockwise, the bass EQ section is switched out of the signal path. This is good for keeping things ultra-clean. Another rotary Elma switch selects 30, 80, 120, 240 and 400 Hz for the bass peaking section. The same switch rotates to a 6dB-per-octave shelving filter mode that's fixed at 70 Hz with 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 dB of roll-off. If you like to boost bass and roll-off at the same time, then use the peaking section and select another 12dB-per-octave roll-off filter at 40 or 80 Hz.
The output section is unbalanced and uses an emitter follower circuit and a Philips/BEC electrolytic coupling capacitor, much like what's in the original Helios design. Swettenham found that the engineers at Olympic Studios preferred the sound of this circuit compared to the best output transformers.

Helios 1r Stereo Type 69 Mic Pre / EQ
Two Helios Type 69 mic pre/EQs in a single rackspace with internal PSU

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The Helios Type 69 Mic Pre/EQ Module Born Again! Re-manufactured classic 3 band eq-pre. Discrete. Switchable lo/mid. Fixed top. Hi-pass. Unlike anything you have ever used (especially if you are stuck in API-Neve land) you will find the Type 69 a unique departure. These hand built units have a Sowter input transformer based on the highly desirable Lustraphone (Olympic) transformer models. The mids are so funky and sweet---- guitars and snare drum's from heaven; woody and sweet! 700 to 2k to die for! Lo's are Pultec-ish. Hi's are sweet and musical. Extremely open Mic-Pre!In mic shootout's, these are as open as the king daddy Telefunken V76m. Transform your life.   The Legendary Helios Electronics Ltd has resurrected with much anticipation and patience, the Olympic Type69 Series EQ as used by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin and so on. Helios became known as the musician's choice of recording consoles. Brought in line with modern expectations, these units are built to military specifications with supervision of gear fanatic and music producer Tony Arnold. Endorsed by the late Dick Swettenham, of the original Helios Electronics Ltd, to maintain and service all of the original consoles, Tony later purchased the original company, including all of its circuits and parts. The Olympic Series is a classic 3-band EQ-Pre module, available in a dual mono 1U rack mount, mono vertical module or 500 Series module. The modern circuit is similar to the original, aside from one vast improvement, the build quality and reliability. The openness and clarity has been upheld with the addition of EQ frequency selections. Tony Arnold explains, "We asked many of the original users of the Helios Desks what they felt was missing, and could we make any improvements. Most wanted the 30 Hz added to the Lo-EQ. In order to meet todays CD standards, some wanted a tight high frequency around 16 k, which has been added without changing the original Helios sound whatsoever."

Helios Type 69 Mic Pre / EQ Module
Reissue of the classic sound heard on so many great records from the 60s and 70s

...
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The Helios Type 69 Mic Pre/EQ Module Reissue: Re-manufactured classic 3 band eq-pre. Discrete. Switchable lo/mid. Fixed top. Hi-pass. Unlike anything you have ever used (especially if you are stuck in API-Neve land) you will find the Type 69 a unique departure. These hand built units have a Sowter input transformer based on the highly desirable Lustraphone(Olympic) transformer models. The mids are funky and sweet---- guitars and snare drum's from heaven! 700 to 2k to die for! Lo's are Pultec-ish. Hi's are sweet and musical. Extremely open Mic-Pre. In mic shootouts, these are as open as the king daddy Telefunken V76m.     The Legendary Helios Electronics Ltd has resurrected, to much anticipation, the Olympic Type 69 Series EQ - as used by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Led Zepplin and so many others.  In the 70s Helios became known as 'the musician's choice' of recording consoles. Brought in line with modern expectations, these units are built to military specifications, with the supervision of gear fanatic and music producer Tony Arnold.  Tony was endorsed by the late Dick Swettenham, of the original Helios Electronics Ltd, to maintain and service all of the original consoles. Tony later purchased the original company, including all of its circuits and parts. The Olympic Series is a classic 3-band EQ-Pre module. The modern circuit is similar to the original, aside from one vast improvement - the build quality and reliability. The openness and clarity have been upheld with the addition of EQ frequency selections. Tony Arnold explains, "We asked many of the original users of the Helios Desks what they felt was missing, and could we make any improvements. Most wanted the 30 Hz added to the Lo-EQ. In order to meet today's CD standards, some wanted a tight high-frequency around 16 k, which has been added without changing the original Helios sound whatsoever." 
Vintage King 2U Single Channel Rack Information 
<ul>
<li>Switchcraft™ E-Series gold XLR's. 
</li><li>¼” front panel line input (this is NOT an instrument input unless requested/optional). 
</li><li>Low noise VK Custom power supply utilizing toroidal transformer capable of 600mA+ at 24V DC and 100mA at 48V DC. The current rating is over spec for the module. 
</li><li>High quality NKK™ lighted switch for 48V. 
</li><li>Output “fader” wired to insert on module. 
</li><li>Proper grounding techniques are utilized for low noise. 
</li><li>Chassis: 0.050” steel with aluminum front/rear panels and 6-32 steel press nuts. Chassis is an excellent blend of strength and weight. 
</li><li>IEC power cable included. 
</li><li>1 Year Warranty</li></ul>

Vintage King 2U Helios Single Channel Rack - Loaded
Single Channel Helios Type 69 Reissue in a 2U Vintage King rack

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The Helios Type 69 Mic Pre/EQ Module Reissue: Re-manufactured classic 3 band eq-pre. Discrete. Switchable lo/mid. Fixed top. Hi-pass. Unlike anything you have ever used (especially if you are stuck in API-Neve land) you will find the Type 69 a unique departure. These hand built units have a Sowter input transformer based on the highly desirable Lustraphone(Olympic) transformer models. The mids are funky and sweet---- guitars and snare drum's from heaven! 700 to 2k to die for! Lo's are Pultec-ish. Hi's are sweet and musical. Extremely open Mic-Pre. In mic shootouts, these are as open as the king daddy Telefunken V76m. The Legendary Helios Electronics Ltd has resurrected, to much anticipation, the Olympic Type 69 Series EQ - as used by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Led Zepplin and so many others. In the 70s Helios became known as 'the musician's choice' of recording consoles. Brought in line with modern expectations, these units are built to military specifications, with the supervision of gear fanatic and music producer Tony Arnold. Tony was endorsed by the late Dick Swettenham, of the original Helios Electronics Ltd, to maintain and service all of the original consoles. Tony later purchased the original company, including all of its circuits and parts. The Olympic Series is a classic 3-band EQ-Pre module. The modern circuit is similar to the original, aside from one vast improvement - the build quality and reliability. The openness and clarity have been upheld with the addition of EQ frequency selections. Tony Arnold explains, "We asked many of the original users of the Helios Desks what they felt was missing, and could we make any improvements. Most wanted the 30 Hz added to the Lo-EQ. In order to meet today's CD standards, some wanted a tight high-frequency around 16 k, which has been added without changing the original Helios sound whatsoever." 
Vintage King 3U Dual Channel Rack Information 
<ul>
<li>Switchcraft™ E-Series gold XLR's. 
</li><li>¼” front panel line input (this is NOT an instrument input unless requested/optional). 
</li><li>Low noise VK Custom power supply utilizing toroidal transformer capable of 600mA+ at 24V DC and 100mA at 48V DC. The current rating is over spec for the module. 
</li><li>High quality NKK™ lighted switch for 48V. 
</li><li>Output “fader” wired to insert on module. 
</li><li>Proper grounding techniques are utilized for low noise. 
</li><li>Chassis: 0.050” steel with aluminum front/rear panels and 6-32 steel press nuts. Chassis is an excellent blend of strength and weight. 
</li><li>IEC power cable included. 
</li><li>1 Year Warranty</li></ul>

Vintage King 3U Helios Type 69 2 Channel Rack - Loaded
Loaded with Reissued Helios Type 69 modules. Unlike anything you have ever heard!

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8 channel VK rack loaded with 8x Helios Type 69 reissue modules
 
Helios Description

Re-manufactured classic 3 band eq-pre. Discrete. Switchable lo/mid. Fixed top. Hi-pass. Unlike anything you have ever used (especially if you are stuck in API-Neve land) you will find the Type 69 a unique departure.  These hand built units have a Sowter input transformer based on the highly desirable Lustraphone(Olympic) transformer models. The mids are funky and sweet---- guitars and snare drum's from heaven! 700 to 2k to die for! Lo's are Pultec-ish. Hi's are sweet and musical. Extremely open Mic-Pre. In mic shootouts, these are as open as the king daddy Telefunken V76m. The Legendary Helios Electronics Ltd has resurrected, to much anticipation, the Olympic Type 69 Series EQ - as used by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Led Zepplin and so many others. In the 70s Helios became known as 'the musician's choice' of recording consoles. Brought in line with modern expectations, these units are built to military specifications, with the supervision of gear fanatic and music producer Tony Arnold. Tony was endorsed by the late Dick Swettenham, of the original Helios Electronics Ltd, to maintain and service all of the original consoles. Tony later purchased the original company, including all of its circuits and parts. The Olympic Series is a classic 3-band EQ-Pre module. The modern circuit is similar to the original, aside from one vast improvement - the build quality and reliability. The openness and clarity have been upheld with the addition of EQ frequency selections. Tony Arnold explains, "We asked many of the original users of the Helios Desks what they felt was missing, and could we make any improvements. Most wanted the 30 Hz added to the Lo-EQ. In order to meet today's CD standards, some wanted a tight high-frequency around 16 k, which has been added without changing the original Helios sound whatsoever." Vintage King Rack Information 
<ul>
<li>Switchcraft™ E-Series gold XLR's. 
</li><li>¼” front panel line input (this is NOT an instrument input unless requested/optional). 
</li><li>Low noise VK Custom power supply utilizing toroidal transformer capable of 600mA+ at 24V DC and 100mA at 48V DC. The current rating is over spec for the module. 
</li><li>High quality NKK™ lighted switch for 48V. 
</li><li>Output “fader” wired to insert on module. 
</li><li>Proper grounding techniques are utilized for low noise. 
</li><li>Chassis: 0.050” steel with aluminum front/rear panels and 6-32 steel press nuts. Chassis is an excellent blend of strength and weight. 
</li><li>IEC power cable included. 
</li><li>1 Year Warranty</li></ul>

Vintage King 4U Helios Type 69 8 Channel Rack - Loaded
Loaded with Reissued Helios Type 69 modules. Unlike anything you have ever heard!

...
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Helios Type 69 
 Born Again! Re-manufactured classic 3 band eq-pre. Discrete. Switchable lo/mid. Fixed top. Hi-pass. Unlike anything you have ever used (especially if you are stuck in API-Neve land) you will find the Type 69 a unique departure.  These hand built units have a Sowter input transformer based on the highly desirable Lustraphone(Olympic) transformer models. The mids are funky and sweet---- guitars and snare drum's from heaven! 700 to 2k to die for! Lo's are Pultec-ish. Hi's are sweet and musical. Extremely open Mic-Pre. In mic shootouts, these are as open as the king daddy Telefunken V76m. The Legendary Helios Electronics Ltd has resurrected, to much anticipation, the Olympic Type 69 Series EQ - as used by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Led Zepplin and so many others. In the 70s Helios became known as 'the musician's choice' of recording consoles. Brought in line with modern expectations, these units are built to military specifications, with the supervision of gear fanatic and music producer Tony Arnold. Tony was endorsed by the late Dick Swettenham, of the original Helios Electronics Ltd, to maintain and service all of the original consoles. Tony later purchased the original company, including all of its circuits and parts. The Olympic Series is a classic 3-band EQ-Pre module. The modern circuit is similar to the original, aside from one vast improvement - the build quality and reliability. The openness and clarity have been upheld with the addition of EQ frequency selections. Tony Arnold explains, "We asked many of the original users of the Helios Desks what they felt was missing, and could we make any improvements. Most wanted the 30 Hz added to the Lo-EQ. In order to meet today's CD standards, some wanted a tight high-frequency around 16 k, which has been added without changing the original Helios sound whatsoever."

Vintage King Helios Type 69 4 Channel Lunchbox - Loaded
The Sound of Classic British Rock & Roll!

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Helios Type 69 Mic Pre / EQ Module (Demo Deal)
Reissue of the classic sound heard on so many great records from the 60s and 70s

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