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Post by spock on Jun 29, 2015 20:39:21 GMT -6
I'm starting this thread to share my experience working on, in, and around one of these wonderful sound machines.
If you've ever worked on a HELIOS mixing desk, please do jump in.
I've always had an affection for British mixing consoles, beginning with Trident desks; there's something so alluring about them as a class. One exception for me many may disagree, is NEVE, workhorses for sure with a great pedigree, though somewhat bland in comparrison to HELIOS, and EMI machines.
The Helios for me was so elegant, something very diesel-punk or steam-punk Captain Nemo in appearance, throughly intriguing with an exceptional sound. The first time I heard it in person, I was stunned at the sound quality, almost as if a barrier or nebulous cloud had been removed from the sound source, very natural or organic; quite the opposite of other consoles with so much electronics between you and the signal.
The Helios EQ, wonderfully musical and great low-end (no wonder Raggae peeps liked em'); no need for Pultec jocky-ing here.
These consoles were very one-off custom builds, and did have some limitations, though nothing that would keep you from making a great record; you really didn't need much more, other than great musicians.
Like any machine, it needs to be kept in good working order to reveal its potential, but well worth it.
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Post by tonycamphd on Jun 29, 2015 20:57:39 GMT -6
cool thread man! my fav sounding records of all time were recorded on Helios consoles, i personally never had the honor of working on one...
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 29, 2015 22:31:33 GMT -6
Yeah - I've never been in the room with the Olympic looking consoles...Seen a couple of the 74's...I continue to come back to the Helios reissues, although I know there are a lot of people have used them and though, what's all the fuss? They are finicky with no headroom, but just have the right roundish top with a big bottom. And the EQ is rudimentary, but useful. Like you, I'm kind've obsessed with the look - I hadn't thought of it before you mentioned it, but it might totally be the whole Captain Nemo thing. lol. One day I'll buy a few more to round out the collection.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 29, 2015 22:32:11 GMT -6
Haven't heard from arny in a while, but I think there were plans for a new console at one point. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
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Post by ericn on Jun 30, 2015 7:39:11 GMT -6
Helios is like its British brethren Jaguar, awesome when it works but very temperamental, In the days of the grand studios with tech staff no big deal. The sound, well the sound is simply put the sound is that of many of our favorite records.
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Post by jimwilliams on Jun 30, 2015 8:43:36 GMT -6
I serviced one that was owned by Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders fame. It was upstairs at his Lookout Mtn. house off Laural Canyon in LA. This was back in the mid 1980's. Unknown to most, it's not entirely discrete, it had a ton of LM10 buffer IC's throughout the signal path.
It didn't sound much different than other discrete consoles made at that time. Trident A range comes to mind, those sounded (at least the one at Group 4 recording in Hollywood) much more open and tested that way on the Audio Precision analyzer as well. That console did 200k hz when nothing else did at that time.
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Post by spock on Jun 30, 2015 9:26:48 GMT -6
I serviced one that was owned by Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders fame. It was upstairs at his Lookout Mtn. house off Laural Canyon in LA. This was back in the mid 1980's. Unknown to most, it's not entirely discrete, it had a ton of LM10 buffer IC's throughout the signal path. It didn't sound much different than other discrete consoles made at that time. Trident A range comes to mind, those sounded (at least the one at Group 4 recording in Hollywood) much more open and tested that way on the Audio Precision analyzer as well. That console did 200k hz when nothing else did at that time. Jim, the one I used was circa 69/70 and fully discrete, that's what I'm reminiscing about. Though there definitely was a later console I've seen pics of that has IC's in the path, I think towards the end of the Helios existence; I know there's one of those in a studio on the East Coast, a different beast. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 30, 2015 14:36:35 GMT -6
There really isn't a consensus Helios, right? Weren't they all built differently?
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Post by mrholmes on Jun 30, 2015 14:50:15 GMT -6
I serviced one that was owned by Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders fame. It was upstairs at his Lookout Mtn. house off Laural Canyon in LA. This was back in the mid 1980's. Unknown to most, it's not entirely discrete, it had a ton of LM10 buffer IC's throughout the signal path. It didn't sound much different than other discrete consoles made at that time. Trident A range comes to mind, those sounded (at least the one at Group 4 recording in Hollywood) much more open and tested that way on the Audio Precision analyzer as well. That console did 200k hz when nothing else did at that time. Jim, the one I used was circa 69/70 and fully discrete, that's what I'm reminiscing about. Though there definitely was a later console I've seen pics of that has IC's in the path, I think towards the end of the Helios existence; I know there's one of those in a studio on the East Coast, a different beast. Do those old consoles are still on the used market? If yes, how much do a studio needs to invest? Just asking for fun... |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 30, 2015 14:51:24 GMT -6
Henry Hirsch had his for sale several years ago. It might have been the coolest looking console I've ever seen. Seems like it was around $125k
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 30, 2015 14:53:59 GMT -6
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Post by mrholmes on Jun 30, 2015 14:58:10 GMT -6
Henry Hirsch had his for sale several years ago. It might have been the coolest looking console I've ever seen. Seems like it was around $125k HOLY S. .... you need to be born rich for it.... |
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Post by EmRR on Jun 30, 2015 16:21:23 GMT -6
I inspected what I think was #9, had lived in Sweden previously, had a right angle bend in it with an angled panel at the bend, mostly round socketed IC's rather than discrete. It was in the basement of a furniture store in NC, USA, I don't think it was ever installed by the owner, and was likely sold on. This was at least 14 years ago. Very cool look.
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Post by mrholmes on Jun 30, 2015 17:33:48 GMT -6
may too big for some home studios.....LOL  |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 30, 2015 18:41:57 GMT -6
That's freaking awesome.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 30, 2015 18:48:37 GMT -6
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Post by spock on Jun 30, 2015 19:09:04 GMT -6
That's the console I worked with. Henry had a Millenia EQ prior to the Chandler Curve Bender, when we got the Curve Bender, I quickly sold the Millenia. Such a wonderful console. Henry still has the console, though he sold the Church and has taken on partners, one of which owns the Church. Dave Amels refurbished it, and installed the Vector scope and phase controls, along with a little oval AM car speaker Henry loved. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Jun 30, 2015 19:20:46 GMT -6
well shit spock if you have the coordinates , why the hell can't you just transport the thing to your current locale and be done with it ?  |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 30, 2015 19:34:12 GMT -6
I want that thing.
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Post by mrholmes on Jul 1, 2015 7:27:36 GMT -6
True .... looks good and I am sure it sounds good too. Jummy.... In a modern world with, melting budgets, it may gets more and more impractical. But the day I win the lottery I invite you all to have a look on my Helios Console....  |
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Post by jimwilliams on Jul 1, 2015 9:20:26 GMT -6
Henry Hirsch had his for sale several years ago. It might have been the coolest looking console I've ever seen. Seems like it was around $125k Hmmm... how many 1/2 cent downloads would it take to pay for that? |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 1, 2015 9:41:21 GMT -6
Just 50 Million...but that's assuming they paid .005...which they don't.
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Post by spock on Jul 1, 2015 13:17:40 GMT -6
Henry Hirsch had his for sale several years ago. It might have been the coolest looking console I've ever seen. Seems like it was around $125k Hmmm... how many 1/2 cent downloads would it take to pay for that? For some, passion and desire is stronger than the cost. |
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 1, 2015 14:49:16 GMT -6
Henry's console does NOT have the original trannys!
I believe Dave swapped them with something new.
But it is a thing of beauty none the less.
Dan's console is now for sale, and was one of the three featured in last months mix magazine.
I think you can buy it for a cool $250K.
Such a deal!
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Post by mrholmes on Jul 1, 2015 15:23:49 GMT -6
Dan's console is now for sale, and was one of the three featured in last months mix magazine. I think you can buy it for a cool $250K. I take two of them and I also take some of the Italien Mortadella please. |
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