Quote:
Originally Posted by RoundBadge   ?
The old Helios modules?
Have you used any lately?
Well neither were Neves,A ranges,etc for that matter yet people rack em all the time
[I also find the old API 312's sound different in a console compared to a lunchbox]
They do work and I use them everyday.
Man they sound phenomenal.nothing better on acoustic guitarsthumbsup
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Let's preface this with there are many different types of Helios modules and consoles... some of them had three transistor preamps... some of them had seven transistors... some of them even had dreaded IC's (so I've heard). I can't even count the various differences between all of the various Helios modules.... virtually every console had something different (even transformers from various manufacturer's like Beyer, Lustraphone, etc)... ALL of them sound different, and I haven't heard every incarnation of this rather esoteric line. So, when we say Helios, we really aren't talking about one thing or one sound...
They don't all sound great... a handful of them definitely did, but it could be said that some don't sound very good at all (and never did).
Now, the older modules were designed to work in a console... It's not just that they sound different when removed (like a Neve or API for instance), it's that most of them required other parts of the console that were vital to the circuit to work properly (to balance the signal, provide necessary gain, etc).
Ever notice a lot of the old modules have really low output when racked? or are unbalanced? or don't sound good?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions than you know exactly what I am talking about.
If you still think they sound good , then that's great... But, I'll take a Neve 1073 over most racked Helios modules.