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Description

The Sontronics Helios is a versatile large-diaphragm condenser microphone designed to deliver exceptional audio clarity for both professional studio recording and home setups. Whether you're capturing the subtle nuances of a vocal performance or the complex harmonics of an acoustic instrument, the Helios provides pristine sound reproduction with a touch of warmth, thanks to its proprietary circuitry. This microphone is particularly suited for vocalists, voice-over artists, and musicians seeking to capture their sound with remarkable detail.

The Helios is equipped with a hand-selected 1.07-inch capsule, offering a balanced frequency response that ensures transparency across the audio spectrum. Its cardioid polar pattern effectively minimizes background noise and unwanted room reflections, allowing you to focus on your sound with precision. The integrated shockmount and internal pop filter work together to reduce handling noise and plosive consonants, making it an all-in-one solution for hassle-free recording.

The microphone also features a -10dB pad and a 75Hz low-cut filter, providing versatility in various recording scenarios, from capturing loud instruments to eliminating low-frequency rumble. Built with durability in mind, the Sontronics Helios is housed in a robust metal casing, ensuring it stands up to the rigors of regular studio use.

Key Features:

  • Large-diaphragm condenser microphone
  • Hand-selected 1.07-inch capsule
  • Cardioid polar pattern for minimized background noise
  • Integrated shockmount and internal pop filter
  • -10dB pad and 75Hz low-cut filter for versatility
  • Robust metal casing for durability
The Waletones

The Waletones

Sontronics Presents The Waletones - I'd Carry You (Live Performance)

Video thumbnail for Sontronics Presents The Waletones - I'd Carry You (Live Performance) by The Waletones

Sontronics Presents The Waletones - I'd Carry You (Live Performance)

The Waletones

The Waletones

Video thumbnail for Helios valve microphone from Sontronics by Time+Space

Helios valve microphone from Sontronics

Time+Space

Time+Space

Video thumbnail for Sontronics Helios Valve Microphone by Gear4music Guitars

Sontronics Helios Valve Microphone

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

Critic Reviews

Sontronics Orpheus & Helios

soundonsound.com

Sontronics' Helios microphone stands out with its captivating retro design and characterful sound, making it a solid choice for vocal recordings. The tube preamp enhances warmth and depth, although it may struggle with harsh voices, leading to a potentially 'barking' quality. While the internal shockmount is innovative, it limits flexibility for external mounting. The mic delivers good tonal balance, but its lower maximum SPL handling could be a concern for louder sources. Overall, the Helios offers a unique presence that can elevate vocal performances, especially in a studio setting, but may require careful positioning to avoid harshness.

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Artist usage

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See how Colin Edwin uses Sontronics Helios

Colin Edwin

Bassist

Porcupine Tree

...
Verified via Sontronics

Featured on Sontronics' official "Famous Users" page.

"I've been a very happy user of a pair of Sontronics HELIOS microphones for quite a few years, getting great results recording all kinds of things from tablas to trumpets.

"I decided to get hold of another good microphone versatile enough to capture the sound of not only my acoustic basses but also some of the flutes, saxophones and weird and wonderful instruments (Laotian Khene for instance) that I often record. The Sontronics SATURN fits the bill absolutely.

"The results are detailed, clear and very true. I am knocked out with how well it captures the sound of my double bass.

"I find the polar pattern and filter options are incredibly useful, the build quality is fantastic and the eye-catching retro cool look is a very nice bonus on top of all that, and not forgetting the sturdy box it can travel in, which comes in very handy too.

"The SATURN has become the first microphone I reach for, no question!"

See how Peter Holmström uses Sontronics Helios

Peter Holmström

Guitarist

The Dandy Warhols

...
Verified via Sontronics

Featured on Sontronics' official "Famous Users" page.

"My discovery of Sontronics mics came about when I was looking online for a Helios Electronics preamp and I stumbled across the Sontronics HELIOS mic. It looked really cool, as did all the other mics on the website. I read up a bit more and couldn't find a bad review so was interested in getting hold of some for myself.

"I started out with a DELTA and HALO combination and the results are amazing! Not just on guitar amps either... I use them on everything. In my little studio I've been using them on my '60s Kalamazoo and my '50s Ampeg amps.

"I'm starting a band with my friend Herman Jolly, and he's been singing into a HALO. We've been using the DELTA on the acoustic guitar too.

"We've now got four HALOs and four DELTAs that we uses on the Dandy Warhols set-up live and in the studio. I've now got my eye on the SIGMA, SATURN and HELIOS mics and hoping to see a 500-series Sontronics preamp added to the range. The build quality and design are excellent, I'd recommend Sontronics to everyone... in fact, I already have!"

See how Flood uses Sontronics Helios

Flood

Music Producer

...
Verified via Sontronics

Featured on Sontronics' official "Famous Users" page.

"Sontronics was recommended to me by Alan Moulder who had just been working with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age). I tried the DELTA and SIGMA and fell in love straight away. To be able to get clarity and depth so close to the amp was amazing!

"The whole thing about Sontronics is that immediacy of things sounding great without having to do anything. The ORPHEUS has such a great bite to it and all the Sontronics mics seem to have a great natural compression without losing any clarity or detail.

"There is only praise to add about value for money, amazing customer support and the knowledge that Trevor [Sontronics MD and mic designer] cares about every aspect of the mics: the sound quality, build quality, design... and I love his ability to be as caring with the everyday consumer as he is with us professionals. And the mics look amazing!

"I use the mics all the time, be it with Editors, Orbital, Karima Francis, Foals or anyone else. The mics were used on PJ Harvey's Mercury Prize-winning album Let England Shake mainly DELTA, SIGMA, ORPHEUS and HELIOS. We used DELTAs on amps; ORPHEUSs on Polly and John's vocals, brass and ambience. ORPHEUS was our go-to mic for anything and everything: voices, snare drums, acoustic guitars, autoharp, ambience and piano. For Polly's latest album The Hope Six Demolition Project we also added an ARIA for vocals… she won't record her voice with anything else now!

"Both of those albums were the sound of Sontronics, firstly because they were used on so many sources but also, more importantly, because every time we put up a Sontronics mic it gave us what we wanted: clarity, character, purity and openness. The whole album was recorded flat, which is a tribute to engineer Rob Kirwan but also to the Sontronics mics!"

"I have DELTAs, SIGMAs, HALOs, a SATURN, ARIA, ORPHEUS, ARIA and DM-1B, and they all have that immediacy of things sounding great without having to do anything!"

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sontronics Helios, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Sontronics Sigma
Sontronics Sigma Ribbon Microphones
2
Sontronics Delta
Sontronics Delta Ribbon Microphones
2
Sontronics Halo
Sontronics Halo Dynamic Microphones
2
Sontronics Saturn
Sontronics Saturn Condenser Microphones
2
Sontronics Orpheus
Sontronics Orpheus Condenser Microphones
1
Sontronics Aria
Sontronics Aria Condenser Microphones
1
Sontronics DM-1B
Sontronics DM-1B Condenser Microphones
1

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