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Post by rocinante on Feb 23, 2017 20:01:55 GMT -6
Really Dylan (Roci)? Yep Okay Gents so I have good amount finished and it's time to make a choice and I'd love your opinion. I wanted to recreate the Helios modules just like as if they were pulled from the console but with a modern twist (and some god damn Cinemag output transformers cause they sound bad ass) Original Helios modules went unbalanced. All i have done was used a modern take based on the Helios summing amp (an idea Ian from Ruff Records's once suggested) and then put an appropriate transformer on the end. So what do you think; should I lay it out as a half-rack like Warm Audio's wa12 or Great River's ME-2NV or stand it up-right as if it was a module pulled out of the console? Here's a rough idea which is missing the knobs and switches.   There's a somewhat external psu via a wall wart or small enclosure (not sure which yet). And of course some touch ups here and there (I forgot the 'gain dB" text on the up-right version for instance). One or two of the switches will also be illuminated push button. You know.... like modern. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 23, 2017 21:11:28 GMT -6
Well, first I want to buy one (if the price is right  ) - Those look badass! The half rack makes more sense...but I prefer the vertical module. How would you "rack" the vertical module? What does the output tranny do to the sound? I would think improve the headroom, right? And other than that, is everything pretty much similar to the original design? |
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 24, 2017 15:45:51 GMT -6
but its not 500 series ?
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Post by pope on Feb 24, 2017 15:48:29 GMT -6
How is it powered? Wall wart?
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Post by unit7 on Feb 25, 2017 3:01:15 GMT -6
Vertical :-)
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Post by rocinante on Feb 25, 2017 9:52:47 GMT -6
Sorry gents forgot to put on notifications.
Okay so first off; if it was vertical it would not be rack mountable so i imagine a desktop piece.
I am gonna possibly make a 500 series version down the line but i wanted something that could be under its own power and that looked like an actual module.
The amp circuit is virtually identical minus modern transistor replacements, the filter section is Ian's of Ruff Records, and the final stage is nearly the same the helios summing section with a few added components. I think the output transformer makes it better and so it would be safer to say this is based on the Helios 69.
It will be probably powered by wall wart.
I am not a designer. I will not pretend to be, but its an easy enough circuit to implement and so i cant go too wrong. Plus ive had a ton of help. That all said i plan on doing every test possible.
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Post by kilroyrock on Mar 9, 2017 22:00:24 GMT -6
If you want to be taken seriously, my experience says don't use a wall wart. WA learned that lesson.
Half rack I like, if it fills in the other half of my gap rack hardware etc.
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Post by rocinante on Mar 10, 2017 0:40:05 GMT -6
Its gonna have to be a wall wart or extrenal psu. Maybe the latter. A psu to hook up 6-8 units.
I'm also beginning a 1081 mic pre so an external psu might be the way to go.
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 10, 2017 6:04:30 GMT -6
Xteranl psu!
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Post by gar381 on Mar 10, 2017 18:54:53 GMT -6
old school.. Vertical with external PSU.. NO WALL WARTS  with such a beautiful design.  These should sound killer!! Gary |
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Post by rocinante on Mar 11, 2017 23:54:32 GMT -6
The 'nays' have it!
Alright external psu then.
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Post by jayson on Mar 18, 2017 15:18:01 GMT -6
Very Cool! How about the knobs; any contenders yet?
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Post by rocinante on Mar 21, 2017 23:15:23 GMT -6
Elma's naturally for most of it alco knob makes a Elma like knob that can substitute just fine.
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Post by rocinante on Mar 21, 2017 23:20:51 GMT -6
I'm awaiting the inductors but heres a top shot of the layout.  |
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Post by rocinante on Mar 21, 2017 23:24:02 GMT -6
And although we decided vertical i laid it out horizontally so i could work on it. I had madd the holes and cut outs so it could go either way.  |
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 22, 2017 8:54:15 GMT -6
BADASS
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Post by illacov on Mar 22, 2017 10:44:22 GMT -6
I like vertical as well.
How much? Do you like analog tape simulators? Wanna trade lunches?
Thanks
-L.
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Post by rocinante on Mar 22, 2017 22:54:54 GMT -6
Price isn't determined yet. I'm putting these through the paces though and am going to bring them somewhere for measurements and testing. I want to stand behind what these do without inflating figures or whatnot. Helios was never some perfect noiseless amp with a giant headroom so i dont expect these to be impeccable.
That said i just recorded an acoustic the other day with my other helios and it sounds great. I also have kept a helios 69 eq on one of my guitar mixing channels as it superbly pulls guitars out of the mix. I often alternate between a helios into an 1176 rev a or j and the 1084 into a wa76 for my lead and rhythm guitars.
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Post by Guitar on May 28, 2017 10:16:35 GMT -6
Wow, really nice work!
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Post by rocinante on May 28, 2017 11:13:13 GMT -6
Thanks. I unfortunately had to put the brakes on this till i finish moving but it will get done.
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Post by rocinante on Jun 22, 2017 12:39:29 GMT -6
Moving along again  |
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Post by rocinante on Jul 8, 2017 19:29:42 GMT -6
Whew... Other than the gain switch being a little finicky she is noiseless and acting alright. I got a ton of tests i have to do so I'm not prepared to pop open the champagne just yet but its nearing the end. And then i begin the next one. Its currently sharing a psu so I'll have to build one that can power eight. Eventually this will go to this mixing/mastering engineer friend of mine to add to his already beautiful collection.      |
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Post by rocinante on Jul 15, 2017 20:49:22 GMT -6
A few noteworthy things:
I should have made the pcbs smaller but at the time I didn't really think I was going to be doing more than 1 or 2. So far Ive made and sold 3 of the 1u full size mic pre/eqs. Honestly I just wanted to get it right and so used a larger platform.
I should have put a 10K trimmer on for the pcbs. Maybe I will the next batch.
I would have liked to have met Dick Swettenham.
David from Cinemag has been super helpful.
I can't say the same for the current helios associated guys (which is neither here or there they dont have to help me) although Cyril Jones has been alright.
Ian Thompson Bell, Jeff Steiger, Tiago, PRR, Pastah, also helped a ton.
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Post by ruffrecords on Jul 22, 2017 1:42:44 GMT -6
Very nice build!! When you are done, could you send me a some good quality pics so I can include it in the gallery of DIY projects incorporating my designs? Pierre at groupDIY hosts this at the moment but I am thinking of adding a Gallery tab to my web site.
Cheers
Ian
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Post by rocinante on Jul 22, 2017 8:02:39 GMT -6
Absolutely.
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) - Those look badass! The half rack makes more sense...but I prefer the vertical module. How would you "rack" the vertical module?
with such a beautiful design. 
