Testing Helios 69 EQ

[TripACT]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking to buy the Helios 69 Plug-in..So i just demoed it and tried it on a nice acoustic beat to see how does it react.
I decided also to compare it with the rest UAD-1 EQs, trying as much as possible to match the results.
I think the Helios 69 sounds fantastic and very musical to me.
I'm really surprised by how cool it sounds..some people complained about it that it is nothing but a regular eq without any magic to it, But testing it now truly shows that it has a very unique equalization feel applied to it.
The other UAD-1 EQs sound interestingly different but are also top notch...i love 'em all :lol:

Tested EQs:

-Helios Type-69 Plug-in
-Neve 1073 Plug-in
-Neve 1081 Plug-in
-Pultec-Pro Plug-in

I decided also to add a screenshot of the EQs configuration:

The link to the RAR file with A/B comparison is in the poll...Enjoy guys.

Note: The poll will be available only for the next 7 days.

Just more cool stuff to share you with.
Any suggestions, ideas or thoughts are welcomed 8)

 

[Macc]

Helios is my plug of the moment I loooove it.

Plus I got it for about £6 or something :lol:

 

[billybk1]

Yes, the Helios is a great EQ. It is a very different beast indeed. I especially like using it on a background vocal bus when I am looking for a vibe that is a little edgier. UA did a vintage eq \"shootout\" in the \"Plugin Power\" section, of the May 07 issue of the UA webzine. There is an article and a video you can download with all the eq presets used, as well:

http://www.uaudio.com/webzine/2007/may/index7.html

There is even a youtube link for the video if you just want to stream it real quick.

 

[Paradigm X]

I just bought it in the sale.

Lovely

The highs are sweet

Instant dub hats

 

[myonlineportal]

actually helios will make anyone a big star with the crisp shining when you listen to. the presets are as great too but i feel you still have to tweak a little bit more for different vocals.
a must have if you track vocals. my half cents worth

 

[Suntower]

1. So far, for the only thing I like Helios for is acoustic guitar. Does nothing for my baritone voice.

2. I wish they had chosen -anyone- other than that couple for their video. Not only is it a shite presentation, but if I hear her voice one more time on these demos, talking about gambling or whatever, I think I'll scream. Makes me not want to buy their stuff whenever they use material from that video.

3. How is anyone supposed to properly evaluate anything audio from a YouTube video?

---JC

 

[tombuur]

Just added a UAD Express card and got the upgrade vouchers etc. (total $350).

Now demoing all the EQs I have found that the Helios adds something nice to my bass guitar that I just can't get any from any of the Neves or Oxford EQ.

So my current choice will probably to use the vouchers with the November EQ promotion and get Helios + 88RS. The other Neve plugins surprisingly didn't add very much extra flavor and use a lot of the card's cpu. 88RS didn't add so much either, but I can use a quality trackplug and compared to the other Neves I can use many 88RS's. Probably enough for all tracks needing nothing special.

Strangely, I passed on the Helios at the first shoot-out, but then watching the video mentioned in this thread I tried it on bass. That changed my decision.

 

[tkingen]

I really \"want\" to get the Helios, but during my trial period I liked the Neve's and Pultec better everytime. Same with these videos.

 

[tombuur]

Having come to know the Helios better I tried it again on my voice, and I got the sound I am after. So I jumped in and bought Helios + 88RS.

The Pultec simply can't do the same for me. But since I already own it I will not exclude that I could insert it without turning any knobs. Just being there it adds a little warmth to the sound.

The Neves 1073 and 1081 did not impress me enough. When trying them I could get very close on the same instruments with Oxford EQ. In fact I preferred how it made things sounde in the mix, so why bother.

... I realize it all depends on what instruments/voices you start out with and what sound you aim at. So others may have a different experience.

 

[Paul Woodlock]

1. So far, for the only thing I like Helios for is acoustic guitar. Does nothing for my baritone voice.

2 things to try....

1] Bass guitar. great for mid boost for that honky cut-through and BIG BOTTOM ( If you want it )

2] master bus - depending on your *genre* ( of course ) insert a flat pultec pro and the the helios with a couple of dB of HF boost and it's inherent default bass boost in your master bus befoer your bus compressor.

3 things....


3] Vocals!!

3. How is anyone supposed to properly evaluate anything audio from a YouTube video?

---JC

I'm sure you're supposed to are you?

 

[tombuur]

Funny, Paul, I just found (1) and (3) yesterday and went and bought Helios. Now I need to go and test (2).

 

[Macc]

I never thought I would say it, but I think I prefer the Helios to the 1081. It's just so open.

 

[Yiannis]

Helios on the master buss for high boost is sooo open!!

I like it a lot.

On acoustic guitars the highs sound very smooth but sometimes the 1073 or the 1081 sounds better.

As always it depents on the source

Same for vocals,very nice but not always.

As for bass I find it a liitle muddy on the bass region compared to the 1073.

I am using 1081 SE all the time for most all day work and it never sound too much because it is used on most tracks.The 1073 has more magic thought :wink:

 

[Suntower]

Well, I bought it so I'll happily try it on your suggestions.

Does nothing for my voice---unless you have a specific cut/boost in mind, Lord Paul?

Same with bass---I bought it to help with my faux-Chris Squire stuff, but so far I think the Neve would've been a better choice for -that-.

And I still say: how can ya evaluate -anything- from a lo-res MP3 or YouTube file?

Best Regards To The Midlands,

---JC

1. So far, for the only thing I like Helios for is acoustic guitar. Does nothing for my baritone voice.

2 things to try....

1] Bass guitar. great for mid boost for that honky cut-through and BIG BOTTOM ( If you want it )

2] master bus - depending on your *genre* ( of course ) insert a flat pultec pro and the the helios with a couple of dB of HF boost and it's inherent default bass boost in your master bus befoer your bus compressor.

3 things....


3] Vocals!!

3. How is anyone supposed to properly evaluate anything audio from a YouTube video?

---JC

I'm sure you're supposed to are you?

 

[sniper]

To me the Helios brings out to much in the 1-300hz area when boosting whatever bass frequency. It just won't reach down as much as the hardware unit (which i don't have, just listening to UA's own videos).

When i demo'ed it it sounded great on acoustic guitars but the only thing i did was cutting a few db's off ~ 1 khz.. The pultec or cubase's own eq will do that for me without having to spend $.

I'm sitting here with a glass of wine and a sufficent wallet thinking \"Yes, tonight i'm getting the Helios\" but AGAIN that video discourages me...
I'm always sceptical about software eq's and i'm afraid the Helios won't be my salvation.

 

[myonlineportal]

my word, helios is one eq that all engineers should get into their arsenal if they have UAD. Period. This EQ is a babe.

The touch on vox is just sufficient. unless you're only doing instrumental tracks.

 

[Paul Woodlock]

Well, I bought it so I'll happily try it on your suggestions.

Does nothing for my voice---unless you have a specific cut/boost in mind, Lord Paul?

Same with bass---I bought it to help with my faux-Chris Squire stuff, but so far I think the Neve would've been a better choice for -that-.

And I still say: how can ya evaluate -anything- from a lo-res MP3 or YouTube file?

Whoops! I meant to say ....

I'm sure you're NOT supposed to are you?


Best Regards To The Midlands,

---JC

1. So far, for the only thing I like Helios for is acoustic guitar. Does nothing for my baritone voice.

2 things to try....

1] Bass guitar. great for mid boost for that honky cut-through and BIG BOTTOM ( If you want it )

2] master bus - depending on your *genre* ( of course ) insert a flat pultec pro and the the helios with a couple of dB of HF boost and it's inherent default bass boost in your master bus befoer your bus compressor.

3 things....


3] Vocals!!

3. How is anyone supposed to properly evaluate anything audio from a YouTube video?

---JC

I'm sure you're supposed to are you?

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