ProAudio Review - November 2008 - (Page 41)

Sontronics Helios by Rob Tavaglione built-in HPF and more of that Chandler compression, but here the healthy top end and sibilance were my friend, providing a defined presence and a taste of the room that was much needed for salsa, punk, and blues group vocals. I also tried the Helios on acoustic guitar, where its placement was very sensitive and its tubey top-end signature was not always a good fit, not unlike an AKG C12 in that app. I did enjoy the Helios on an old 1960s Magnus organ, where the key clicks and reedy whine it captured was interesting and helped define the track from a virtual instrument. I'm sure it's versatile, but I can't help but think of the Helios simply as a vocal mic. It's the sexy looks, it's the multi-pattern versatility, and it's the top-end. Essentially, it is a cool vocal mic. As I reviewed the Sigma, I was also able to try out the Sontronics Helios, a large-diaphragm (1.07-inch capsule), multi-pattern tube microphone that came in an aluminum case with power supply, stand mount, and a lined wooden box for the Helios itself. The large, round capsule housing/windscreen, engraving and yoke-mount make for an inviting look to vocalists that just begs to be sung into. In figure of 8, I had the pleasure of singing a two-part harmony with an alto vocalist, aiming for an extremely intimate, blended, and breathy sound. I found the rear lobe response to be much thicker in the lows and low-mids, so I put the alto on that side and my baritone on the thinner, front lobe. A healthy squeeze from the Chandler Germanium compressor and I got that sweet, up-close and personal blend that can be so elusive with overdubbing and multiple mics. In cardioid however, the Helios was a bit too strident, with a strong and very present top end that I found to be too harsh on many singers. I did find good use for it on two songs, both slower, more legato-type songs that didn't have aggressive consonants, but more sustained vowels. The Helios offered lots of definition and sibilance, maybe too much as I had to employ some heavy de-essing and a high shelving rolloff at 10k. In omni, I had the most fun of all with the Helios, gathering ‘round the boys for three backup vocal sessions. Some were singing, others were shouting, but all got picked up with realism and a sense of space via the Helios. I used the November 2008 | ProAudioReview 41 http://www.zaxcom.com http://www.zaxcom.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - November 2008

ProAudio Review - November 2008 Contents Technically Speaking First Look 2008 PAR Excellence Awards New Studio Products Studio Sense Review: Solid State Logic Matrix Review: Arsenal Audio by API R24, V14, and R20 Mini-Review Review, Second Opinion, and Benchtest Review: A-Designs HM2EQ HAMMER Review: Sontronics Sigma Phantom Powered Ribbon Microphone Analog In The Studio: Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be New Live Products Worship Audio Review: Community VERIS Series Loudspeakers Installation Profile Single Slice

ProAudio Review - November 2008

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