Using Hardware & Software Helios Type 69 EQ To Mix Fat Drums | UAD

The unique tonal character and signature of the Helios Type 69 equalizers and consoles are imparted by several things. A combination of passive and active electronics. Mainly the design of the circuits and type of components used. Audio Transformers also contribute to some of the sonic flavor. We can see in the image above, Sowter audio-transformers are used on this after-market unit.

Helios 69 History: The origins of the Helios hardware goes all the way back to Olympic Studios in the late 1960’s. The studio acquired Dick Swettenham from the EMI staff at the famous Abbey Road Studios. Afterward commissioning him to build a console, that would later be known as the Helios console. It would be latter branded by Chris Blackwell at Island Records located in Basing Street, London.

Chris Blackwell provided the key funding for custom built consoles under the Helios brand name. Helios Electronics Ltd was established in Teddington, Middlesex. When leading music industry folks got wind of the new consoles being built for Island Records, orders blew up. Showing up in installations like, the Beatles’ Apple Studios in Savile Row, complete design of the first mobile recording unit for the Rolling Stones, consoles for The Manor and the Town House for Richard Branson’s Virgin Records to name a few. The sonic tone of the Helios Type 69 equalizer and console became an iconic milestone in sound recording.

Helios consoles were used to record and mix some of the finest rock, pop and reggae classics ever produced. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Roxy Music, Queen, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley are just a few that recorded with these amazing wrap-around consoles. Of all the Helios consoles produced between 1969 and 1979, the original “Type 69” is considered the most musical. Universal Audio modeled the EQ section of the very first Type 69. This console was originally found at Island’s Basing Street Studio in London; it now resides with Jason Carmer in Berkeley, CA. Where it continues to record multi-platinum albums.

Helios® Type 69 EQ Plug-In:
Classic “Helios Type 69” console EQ modeled from original Basing Street desk
Distinct and colorful three band EQ with phase reverse and level adjust
Replicates all the controls of the original hardware
Requires a UAD-1 or UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card available from authorized dealers worldwide

The simple yet powerful Helios Type 69 Passive EQ adds a unique sonic texture to the music that passes through it. It can be pushed to its most extreme boost settings while retaining openness and clarity. The Type 69 Passive EQ replicates all the controls of the original hardware. The Treble band is a fixed 10 kHz shelf EQ, while the Bass band functions as a stepped 50 Hz shelf filter (-3,-6,-9,-12,-15 dB) or frequency selectable Peak EQ (60, 100, 200, 300 Hz). The Mid band operates as a frequency selectable Peak or Trough (Notch) EQ with eight frequencies (.7, 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 3.5, 4.5, 6 kHz). Other features include Level adjust, EQ Cut (bypassing the EQ circuit while retaining the native sound of the unit), and Phase Reverse.