In this article

• Operational Overview
• Helios Type 69 Controls
• Partial List Of Albums Recorded On Helios Type 69 Consoles

The hallowed Helios Type 69.

Whether it was housed at Olympic in London, Musicland in Munich, or in the famed Rolling Stones' mobile studio, the Helios Type 69 console was at the center of hundreds of iconic albums from rock's "Golden Age." From must-own albums by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd, to Bob Marley and the Wailers, David Bowie, Black Sabbath and AC/DC, the Type 69 delivered fat, unmistakable attitude, with a punchy midrange and an assertive growl.

The all-new Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ plug-in is a masterful, end-to-end circuit emulation of the rare hardware, going well beyond UA's original Helios Type 69 plug-in.

• Track and mix through a stunning emulation of the Helios Type 69 vintage analog channel

• Get the full character of the original hardware's Lustraphone transformer-based mic preamp with Unison™ technology

• Sculpt your sources with a colorful inductor-based three-band EQ

• Shape guitars, vocals, and more with legendary Type 69 midrange aggression

• Tweak low-end character with uniquely voiced low-frequency boost and cut filters

• Mix with artist presets from J.J. Blair (Johnny Cash, George Benson), Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio), Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits), and more

Turn Your DAW into a Classic Helios Type 69 Console

In crafting the new Helios Type 69 plug-in, UA's team of engineers dug deep into two original Type 69 Olympic-era "golden units," faithfully modeling their custom-made, feedback-style, 70 dB input section — along with a complete emulation of the coveted Lustraphone mic input transformer. This end-to-end circuit capture is the only "triple amp" preamp on the UAD platform, giving you complex, colorful flavors that will make any source come to life.

Unison Technology (Apollo only)

Harnessing UA's groundbreaking Unison technology on Apollo interfaces, the new Helios Type 69 plug-in gives you the hardware's line/mic preamp impedance, gain stage "sweet spots," and exact circuit behaviors. Just insert the plug-in into the Console or LUNA's Unison preamp slot to track in real time through a spot-on Helios Type 69 modeled preamp.

Passive, Aggressive EQ

The new Helios Type 69 also offers a ground-up redesign of the original hardware's famously bold passive three-band EQ. For the first time, the Helios Type 69 plug-in perfectly emulates the rich sounding inductor saturation behaviors that keep radical EQ moves sounding ultra musical, even at extreme settings.

The Low End Theory

With four uniquely voiced low frequency bell-shape boost filters, the Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection imparts the same solid and wide bass foundation found on seminal rock, pop, and reggae recordings. You can also clean up sources like overheads and room mics by switching the Bass band into a fixed 50 Hz low cut mode, with stepped gain control.

 

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Operational Overview

Helios Type 69 is based on a deep analysis of two original "golden unit" Helios Type 69 modules, including the original Danner output attenuating fader. 

UA's Helios Type 69 provides the only authentic, end-to-end circuit model of this rare preamp and EQ circuit. An extremely detailed model was made from these handpicked "Olympic"-era Helios modules, starting with the Lustraphone input transformer model (including real physical impedance switching when used with UA audio interfaces). The transformer stage is followed by Helios' feedback-style bipolar "triple amp" amplifier circuit, rich with the signature nonlinearities afforded by its unique design.

The aggressive three-band passive EQ circuit is also faithfully modeled, benefiting from UA's research into the saturation behavior of Helios' custom inductors. The EQ retains the original's ability to be pushed to its limits with pleasing results.

Helios Type 69

Signal Flow Diagram

A simplified version of the signal flow within the plug-in is shown in the diagram below.

Simplified signal flow within Helios Type 69

Artist Presets

The Helios Type 69 includes presets provided by these prominent artists. The artist presets can be accessed via the preset menu, the Settings menu in the UAD Toolbar, or the Apollo Console's preset manager.

Chris Coady	Joe Chiccarelli
J.J. Blair	Vance Powell
Jacquire King

Artists that have provided presets for Helios Type 69

Unison™ Integration (Apollo only)

The Helios Type 69 features Unison technology for integration with the mic preamp hardware in Universal Audio's Apollo audio interfaces. With Unison interfaces, the ultra-transparent mic preamps inherit all of the unique sonics, input characteristics, and features of the Helios Type 69 hardware preamps.

Note: Unison technology is active only when Helios Type 69 is in the dedicated Unison insert within the Apollo Console application. For complete details, see the Unison chapter within the Apollo Software Manual or Arrow Manual.

Realistic Tandem Control

Unison facilitates seamless interactive control of Helios Type 69 plug-in settings using both the digitally-controlled panel hardware on the UA audio interface and the UAD plug-in interface. All equivalent preamp controls (gain, pad, polarity) are mirrored and bidirectional. The preamp controls respond to adjustments with precisely the same interplay behavior as the Helios Type 69 hardware, including gain levels and clipping points.

Hardware Input Impedance

All Unison mic preamps feature variable input impedance in the analog hardware that can be physically changed by Unison-enabled UAD plug-ins for physical, microphone-to-preamp resistive interaction. This impedance switching enables Unison preamps to match the input impedance of the emulated hardware, which can significantly impact the sound of a microphone. Because the electrical loading occurs on input, prior to A/D conversion, the realism is faithful to the original hardware preamp.

Tactile Gain Staging

The hardware preamp knob on the UA audio interface can independently adjust the gain and level parameters available within the Unison plug-in via Gain Stage Mode. The gain stage being adjusted can be remotely switched via the interface hardware, so the gain levels and their associated colorations can be tuned from the hardware knob for precise physical tactile control, all without using the Unison plug-in's software interface.

 

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Helios Type 69 Controls

Controls Layout

Helios Type 69 controls layout

Preamp Controls

Input Select (LINE/MIC)

Input Select determines which input (line or mic) is being controlled with the Gain knob. To change the input being controlled, click the LINE/MIC switch.

Like the hardware, this plug-in easily facilitates sending Line level signal through the "virtual" Mic input, which allows creative use of distortion to color signals. This is the equivalent of routing a line level signal into a mic level input, so a large jump in gain is expected.

Note: Use caution when switching to Mic from Line, as output levels can increase significantly (as they would with any hardware preamp).

Tip: Click the LINE and MIC labels to switch to the corresponding input.

Apollo Unison Interactions

When Helios Type 69 is used in a Unison insert within the Apollo Console application or LUNA, software and hardware control of Input Select is mirrored. Input Select can be changed within the plug-in interface, with Console's MIC/LINE switches, or with the Apollo or LUNA hardware buttons. When an Apollo Hi-Z input is connected, MIC mode is automatically selected and the LINE/MIC switch is disabled.

 

GAIN

This six-position switch controls the gain feedback network of Helios' "triple amp" preamplifier circuit. GAIN values of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 dB are available.

Tip: Click the numeric indicators to jump between GAIN values.

Apollo Unison Interactions

When the plug-in is placed in the dedicated Unison insert for the preamp channel within the Apollo Console application or LUNA, and the channel is in Unison Gain Stage Mode, the hardware's PREAMP knob can be used to adjust this parameter. When in Gain Stage Mode, an orange dot is overlaid on this parameter indicating it is available for hardware control. Tip: For details on how to enter and exit Gain Stage Mode, see the Unison chapter within the Apollo Software Manual or Arrow Manual.

 

EQ Controls

The Helios EQ's band interactions and nonlinear inductor and output amplifier behaviors are captured in the Helios Type 69. The Helios Type 69 design works in such a way that entire EQ circuits are switched in and out as you make changes to certain parameters.

Tip: When the EQ is bypassed, processor usage is reduced. On the UAD-2 plug-in, if UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is inactive, UAD DSP usage is reduced.

High Shelf Gain

The High Shelf Gain knob offers fixed frequency shelving equalization at 10 kHz. This control can cut treble in 4 dB increments down to –16 dB, or boost treble in 4 dB increments up to +12 dB.

Mid Freq (MID kHZ)

This control determines the frequency of the midrange band. The following frequencies can be selected: 700 Hz, 1 kHz, 1.4 kHz, 2 kHz, 2.8 kHz, 3.5 kHz, 4.5 kHz, and 6 kHz.

Note: In the graphic interface of this control, what may appear to be a dash ("-") actually represents a decimal point. This anomaly mimics the original hardware silkscreen.

Tip: Click the numeric frequency labels to jump between Mid Freq values.

Mid Gain

This control determines the amount of gain or attenuation to be applied to the mid band. Up to 15 dB of boost or 9.9 dB of cut is available. The Q (bandwidth) on the midrange band is fairly wide and gentle at low settings, but gets progressively narrower as the gain value is increased.

Mid Type (PK/TR)

Mid Type specifies whether the midrange band is in Peak or Trough mode. When switched to Peak, the Mid Gain control boosts the midrange. When switched to Trough, Mid Gain cuts the midrange.

Note: When using Trough, a 1 dB loss occurs on the overall output of the plug-in. This is authentic to the behavior of the original hardware.

Tip: Click the "PK" and "TR" labels to switch to the corresponding Mid Type.

BASS

The Bass knob serves dual functions for two bass filter types, depending on its setting.

Note: As with the original hardware, simply putting this control on any low peak filter frequency will yield a gain increase even if Bass Gain is set to 0.

When Bass is set to one of the frequency values (60 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, or 400 Hz) the low band is in peak mode. In this mode, the amount of gain (bass boost) applied to the specified frequency is determined by the Bass Gain knob.

When this knob is set to one of the decibel values (-3, -6, -9, -12, -15 dB) the low band is in "bass cut" shelving mode with a set frequency of 50 Hz.

Tip: Click the shelving amount and peak frequency labels to jump between BASS values. Click the "+" and "-" labels to increment or decrement through BASS values.

Bass Gain

The Bass Gain knob determines the amount of low band boost to be applied when the Bass knob is in one of its frequency positions. When Bass Gain is set to its lowest value, the Bass EQ circuit is bypassed. When Bass Gain is pushed up from zero, the EQ circuit is enabled, starting at 3.3 dB of boost as in the original hardware. Bass Gain can boost the bass band by as much as 15 dB.

Note: Bass Gain has no effect when the BASS knob is set to one of its shelving (dB-labeled) positions.

Global Controls

EQ IN

This switch is the EQ bypass control. The EQ is active when in the up position. The EQ is bypassed when in the down position.

Tip: When the EQ is bypassed, processor usage is reduced. On the UAD-2 plug-in, if UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is inactive, UAD DSP usage is reduced.

In the original Helios hardware, the audio is still slightly colored even when the EQ switch is in the Cut position. This is due to the fact that the signal is still passing through its circuitry. Because the plug-in emulates the hardware in every regard, the signal is slightly processed when this switch is in the bypassed position.

Tip: If a true bypass is desired, use the Power (ON/OFF) switch instead.

Polarity (Ø)

The Polarity (Ø) switch inverts the polarity of the signal. The signal is inverted when the switch is in the up position. Leave the switch down for normal polarity.

	Apollo Unison Interaction
Software and hardware control of polarity is mirrored. Polarity can be inverted within the plug-in interface, with Console's polarity button, or with the UA audio interface hardware polarity button.

-20 (Pad)

The -20 (Pad) switch attenuates the input signal by 20 dB. This switch only functions when the plug-in is in Mic input mode.

	Apollo Unison Interaction
Software and hardware control of the pad is mirrored. Pad can be switched within the plug-in interface, with Console's PAD button, or with the UA audio interface hardware PAD button.

Level

This control, modeled from an original Danner console output fader, adjusts the signal output level of Helios Type 69. This may be useful if the signal is dramatically boosted or reduced by the EQ settings. The available range is -∞ dB to +10 dB. By design, the Level fader offers only clean, uncolored attenuation, as the last component in the signal path. 10 dB of uncolored boost is added for user convenience.

Tip: Click the "0" text label to return the Level fader to its unity gain position.

	Apollo Unison Interaction
When the plug-in is placed in the dedicated Unison insert for the preamp channel within the Apollo Console application and the interface is in Unison Gain Stage Mode, the hardware PREAMP knob can be used to adjust this parameter. In this state, a green dot is overlaid on the parameter indicating it is available for hardware control as the Helios' second gain stage.

Power (ON/OFF)

The Power switch determines whether the plug-in is active. This is useful for comparing the processed settings to the original signal, or to bypass the plug-in to reduce processor usage or the UAD DSP load (load is not reduced if UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled).

 

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Partial List Of Albums Recorded On Helios Type 69 Consoles

• The Beatles "All You Need Is Love" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• Jimi Hendrix Experience "Are You Experienced?" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• Jimi Hendrix Experience "Axis: Bold As Love" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Between The Buttons" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• Traffic "Mr. Fantasy" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• Sammy Davis Jr. Songs for the musical "Doctor Dolittle" (1967, Olympic Studios)
• Jimi Hendrix Experience "Electric Ladyland" (1968, Olympic Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Beggars Banquet" (1968, Olympic Studios)
• Traffic "Hole In My Shoe" (1968, Olympic Studios)
• Traffic "Traffic" (1968, Olympic Studios)
• The Zombies "Odessey and Oracle" (1968, Olympic Studios)
• Joe Cocker "With a Little Help from My Friends" (1969, Olympic Studios)
• Ella Fitzgerald "Ella" (1969, Olympic Studios)
• Led Zeppelin "Led Zeppelin I" (1969, Olympic Studios)
• Rod Stewart "An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down" (1969, Olympic Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Let It Bleed" (1969, Olympic Studios)
• Quincy Jones Soundtrack to "The Italian Job" (1969, Olympic Studios)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice "Jesus Christ Superstar - A Rock Opera" (1970, Olympic Studios)
• Black Sabbath "Black Sabbath" (1970, Island Studios)
• Black Sabbath "Paranoid" (1970, Island Studios)
• Free "Fire & Water" (1970, Island Studios)
• Ginger Baker Airforce "Airforce 2" (1970, Olympic Studios)
• Led Zeppelin "Led Zeppelin II" (1970, Olympic Studios)
• Led Zeppelin "Led Zeppelin III" (1970, Olympic Studios / Rolling Stones Mobile / Island Studios)
• Eric Clapton "Eric Clapton" (1970, Olympic Studios)
• Leon Russell "Leon Russell" (1970, Olympic Studios / Island Studios)
• Memphis Slim "Blue Memphis" (1970, Olympic Studios)
• Paul McCartney "McCartney" (1970, Paul McCartney's Home Studio)
• Stephen Stills "Stephen Stills" (1970, Island Studios)
• Traffic "John Barleycorn Must Die" (1970, Olympic Studios)
• Roy Budd Soundtrack to "Get Carter" (1970, Olympic Studios)
• B.B. King "In London" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• Deep Purple "Fireball" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• Frank Zappa "200 Motels" (1971, Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Graham Nash "Songs For Beginners" (1971, Island Studios)
• Harry Nilsson "Nilsson Schmilsson" (1971, Island Studios)
• Howlin' Wolf "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• Jethro Tull "Aqualung" (1971, Island Studios)
• Led Zeppelin "Led Zeppelin IV" (1971, Rolling Stones Mobile / Island Studios)
• The Faces "A Nod Is As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• Leon Russell "Leon Russell And The Shelter People" (1971, Island Studios)
• Stephen Stills "Stephen Stills 2" (1971, Island Studios)
• Supertramp "Indelibly Stamped" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• Ten Years After "A Space in Time" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• The Who "Who's Next" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• Traffic "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys" (1971, Island Studios)
• Alan Price Soundtrack to "O'Lucky Man" (1971, Olympic Studios)
• Big Youth "Screaming Target" (1972, Harry J. Studios)
• Deep Purple "Machine Head" (1972, Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Eagles "Eagles" (1972, Olympic Studios)
• Elton John "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player" (1972, Strawberry Studios)
• Funkadelic "America Eats Its Young" (1972, Olympic Studios)
• Genesis "Foxtrot" (1972, Island Studios)
• Harry Nilsson "Son Of Schmilsson" (1972, Apple Studios)
• Hugh Masekela "Home Is Where the Music Is" (1972, Island Studios)
• Mott The Hoople "All The Young Dudes" (1972, Olympic Studios)
• Slade "Slade Alive!" (1972, Olympic Studios)
• Ten Years After "Rock & Roll Music to the World" (1972, Olympic Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" (1972, Olympic Studios / Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Mott the Hoople "All the Young Dudes" (1972, Olympic Studios)
• Eric Clapton "Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert" (1973, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio)
• Eagles "Desperado" (1973, Island Studios)
• Emerson Lake & Palmer "Brain Salad Surgery" (1973, Olympic Studios)
• George Harrison "Living In The Material World" (1973, Apple Studios)
• Led Zeppelin "Houses of the Holy" (1973, Olympic Studios)
• Mike Oldfield "Tubular Bells" (1973, The Manor Studios)
• Paul McCartney & Wings "Red Rose Speedway" (1973, Olympic Studios / Island Studios)
• Ringo Starr "Ringo" (1973, Apple Studios)
• The Ozark Mountain Daredevils "The Ozark Mountain Daredevils" (1973, Olympic Studios)
• The Wailers "Burnin'" (1973, Harry J. Studios / Island Studios)
• The Wailers "Catch a Fire" (1973, Harry J. Studios / Island Studios)
• The Who "Quadrophenia" (1973, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio)
• Toots & The Maytals "Funky Kingston" (1973, Island Studios)
• Bad Company "Bad Company" (1974, Olympic Studios)
• Barclay James Harvest "Everyone Is Everybody Else" (1974, Olympic Studios)
• Bryan Ferry "Another Time, Another Place" (1974, Island Studios / Ramport Studios)
• Camel "Mirage" (1974, Island Studios)
• Deep Purple "Burn" (1974, Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Deep Purple "Stormbringer" (1974, Musicland Studios)
• Eagles "On The Border" (1974, Olympic Studios)
• Genesis "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" (1974, Island Studios / Island Mobile)
• King Crimson "Red" (1974, Olympic Studios)
• Rick Wakeman "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" (1974, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio)
• Rory Gallagher "Irish Tour '74" (1974, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio)
• Supertramp "Crime of the Century" (1974, Ramport Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "It's Only Rock & Roll" (1974, Musicland Studios)
• The Who "Tommy - Original Soundtrack Recording" (1974, Ramport Studios)
• Slade "Slide in Flame" (1974, Olympic Studios)
• 10cc "The Original Soundtrack" (1975, Strawberry Studios)
• Bad Company "Straight Shooter" (1975, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio)
• Bob Marley & The Wailers "Natty Dread" (1975, Harry J. Studios)
• Bob Marley & The Wailers "Live!" (1975, Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Donna Summer "Love To Love You Baby" (1975, Musicland Studios)
• Electric Light Orchestra "Face The Music" (1975, Musicland Studios)
• Eric Clapton "E.C. Was Here" (1975, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio)
• Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti" (1975, Olympic Studios / Island Studios)
• Peter Frampton "Frampton" (1975, Olympic Studios)
• Queen "A Night at the Opera" (1975, Olympic Studios)
• Stephen Stills "Stills" (1975, Island Studios)
• Supertramp "Crisis? What Crisis?" (1975, Ramport Studios)
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975, Olympic Studios)
• The Who "Who By Numbers" (1975, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio / Ramport Studios / Island Mobile)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice "Evita" (1976, Olympic Studios)
• Bob Marley & The Wailers "Rastaman Vibration" (1976, Harry J. Studios)
• David Bowie "Diamond Dogs" (1976, Olympic Studios / Island Studios)
• Electric Light Orchestra "A New World Records" (1976, Musicland Studios)
• Joan Armatrading "Joan Armatrading" (1976, Olympic Studios)
• Led Zeppelin "Presence" (1976, Musicland Studios)
• Rory Gallagher "Calling Card" (1976, Musicland Studios)
• Queen "A Day At The Races" (1976, The Manor Studios)
• Santana "Moonflower" (1976, Rolling Stones Mobile)
• The Rolling Stones "Black and Blue" (1976, Musicland Studios / Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Thin Lizzy "Jailbreak" (1976, Ramport Studios)
• Original Cast Recording Tim Rice and Andrew Llyod Webber's "Evita" (1976, Olympic Studios)
• Bob Marley & The Wailers "Exodus" (1977, Harry J. Studios / Island Studios)
• Donna Summer "I Remember Yesterday" (1977, Musicland Studios)
• Iggy Pop "The Idiot" (1977, Musicland Studios)
• Eric Clapton "Slowhand" (1977, Olympic Studios)
• Giorgio Moroder "From Here to Eternity" (1977, Musicland Studios)
• Joni Mitchell "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" (1977, Island Studios)
• Judas Priest "Sin After Sin" (1977, Ramport Studios)
• Motörhead "Motörhead" (1977, Olympic Studios)
• Peter Gabriel "Peter Gabriel" (1977, Olympic Studios)
• The Stranglers "Rattus Norvegicus" (1977, Olympic Studios / Island Mobile)
• David Bowie "Low" (1977, Hansa Tonstudio)
• David Bowie "Heroes" (1977, Hansa Tonstudio)
• Iggy Pop "Lust for Life" (1977, Hansa Tonstudio)
• Electric Light Orchestra "Out of the Blue" (1977, Musicland Studios)
• Bob Marley & The Wailers "Kaya" (1978, Island Studios)
• Bob Marley & The Wailers "Babylon By Bus" (1978, Island Mobile)
• Buzzcocks "Another Music in a Different Kitchen" (1978, Olympic Studios)
• Eric Clapton "Blackless" (1978, Olympic Studios)
• Dire Straits "Dire Straits" (1978, Island Studios)
• Giorgio Moroder "Midnight Express (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" (1978, Musicland Studios)
• Little Feat "Waiting for Columbus" (1978, Manor Mobile)
• The Who "Who Are You" (1978, Ramport Studios / Olympic Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Some Girls" (1978, Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Tangerine Dream "Force Majeure" (1978, Hansa Tonstudio)
• AC/DC "Highway To Hell" (1979, Island Studios)
• Frank Zappa "Sheik Yerbouti" (1979, Manor Mobile)
• Led Zeppelin "In Through The Out Door" (1979, Strawberry Studios)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark "Electricity" (1979, Strawberry Studios)
• Electric Light Orchestra "Discovery" (1979, Musicland Studios)
• Life of Brian Soundtrack (1979, Olympic Studios)
• Peter Gabriel "Peter Gabriel III" (1980, Manor Mobile)
• Queen "The Game" (1980, Musicland Studios)
• The Rolling Stones "Emotional Rescue" (1980, Rolling Stones Mobile)
• Pink Floyd "The Final Cut" (1983, Olympic Studios)

Original Helios hardware