Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection Reviews

I got the Native plugin. I've auditioned other Helios emulations and put them aside. They're all nice, but not high on my wishlist. I auditioned the UAD out of curiosity and WOW—bought it right away!

I tried it on a few different instruments, including a rough demo vocal recorded using a SnowBall mic! The Helios dialed in the crude, male baritone, after that, the demo vocal didn't need much more treatment. I may use it in the finished track. The Helios pre-amp and EQ plants it right in the mix where it should be. This will be my go-to for bass and guitar too of course.

Here are the five reasons why I think that the Helios type 69 preamp NEQ is absolutely amazing-

Authentic End-to-End Circuit Emulation: The plug-in is a meticulous emulation of the rare Helios "golden units" used at Olympic Studios, including the Lustraphone transformer-based mic preamp, providing the full, non-linear character of the original hardware.

Unison Technology Integration: When used with Apollo interfaces, it utilizes Unison technology to mirror the exact input impedance, gain stage "sweet spots," and circuit behaviors of the hardware in real-time, allowing for authentic tracking.

Unique "Passive/Aggressive" 3-Band EQ: The EQ section allows for bold, aggressive shaping without harshness. It features inductor saturation behaviors that make radical EQ moves sound musical, even at extreme settings.

Distinctive Low-Frequency Boost/Cut Filters: The bass section is uniquely voiced with four specific boost filters (60, 100, 200, and 400 Hz) that deliver a solid, wide bass foundation, alongside a 50 Hz low-cut filter to remove mud.

Mid-Range "Growl" and Saturation: The plugin is famous for its punchy midrange, which is excellent for giving guitars and vocals a "saturated rock" attitude, often described as "fat mid-range" and "assertive growl".