Helios Type 69 Legacy EQ

Helios Type 69 Legacy concentrates on the original plug-in's EQ behavior. The collection manual distinguishes it from the newer end-to-end channel model: Legacy has no preamp emulation, Unison integration, mic/line selector, input-gain switch, or pad, and does not include the newer nonlinear enhancements.

Its three EQ sections are intentionally unlike a generic fully parametric equalizer. The high band is a fixed shelf, the mid band selects frequencies and either peak or trough operation, and the bass selector switches between low-frequency boosts and stepped shelf cuts. The highest bass-boost frequency is 300 Hz here, not the modern model's 400 Hz.

Use it for broad tonal reshaping and characteristic midrange emphasis while conserving DSP. Start with the EQ section alone, listen to how gain changes also change perceived bandwidth, and compensate level afterward. EqCut bypasses equalization but is not the same as complete processing bypass; the illuminated LINE switch controls the latter. These Legacy-specific labels and ranges are explicitly covered in the linked manual.

Manual — sections: Helios Type 69 Legacy (UAD DSP only); Type 69 Control Differences; Helios Type 69 Controls.

• High Shelf Gain: Fixed at 10 kHz, with 4 dB steps from −16 to +12 dB. Use modest settings first because this is broad shelving rather than a narrow treble bell. There is no separate high-frequency selector.
• Mid Freq: Select 700 Hz, 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 3.5, 4.5, or 6 kHz. The hardware-style lettering can resemble dashes where decimal points are intended; read 1.4 kHz accordingly.
• Mid Gain: Provides up to 15 dB boost or 9.9 dB cut, depending on Mid Type. The mid band becomes narrower as the gain setting increases, so moving Gain changes more than level alone.
• Mid Type / PK–TR: Peak boosts; Trough cuts. The documented circuit behavior includes an approximately 1 dB overall output loss in Trough, which should be considered when comparing modes.
• Bass: Frequency positions select peak boosts at 60, 100, 200, or 300 Hz in Legacy. The alternate −3, −6, −9, −12, and −15 dB positions select a fixed 50 Hz shelving cut instead. A frequency selection can introduce a level change even before an obvious boost is dialed in.
• Bass Gain: Sets boost only when Bass is in a frequency position, up to 15 dB. It does not alter the dB-labeled shelf-cut settings. The shared control description notes the circuit's transition from its minimum position to an initial 3.3 dB boost when activated; audition low-end changes rather than assuming a perfectly continuous neutral start.
• EqCut: Legacy's EQ-bypass control has the inverse function of the newer model's EQ IN switch. Bypassing EQ is not guaranteed identical to removing the plug-in, because the modeled path can still affect the signal.
• Polarity / ø: Inverts signal polarity for comparisons or multi-microphone combination.
• Level Adjust: Clean final adjustment from −20 to +10 dB. It is not the modern full-travel Danner fader and does not extend down to silence.
• LINE: Legacy's power/bypass switch; green illumination means processing is active. Use this for the whole-plug-in comparison. No Preamp Gain, Pad, or Mic/Line controls should be inferred from the modern panel.

Manual — sections: EQ Controls; BASS; Global Controls; Level; Power (ON/OFF).