Helios Custom Console — Helios Custom Console
Helios Custom Console
🇬🇧 Helios

Custom Console

1974 – 1978

Notable users

Barbarossa Studio, Munich (1974), Island Studios London — 5th Helios console, The Manor, Oxfordshire (Virgin), Dawnbreaker Studios, San Fernando, California, Maison Rouge, London

Technical specs

Channels32 (typical) — bespoke per install
LayoutWrap-around / split (bespoke)
Groups16 – 24
EQ3 or 4-band parametric (custom-"Q" mid bands at Dawnbreaker)
Era1974 – 1978
ApproachEach desk built to customer specification — no two identical
Common config32 input / 24 group / 24-track monitoring, quad-capable
AutomationVCA grouping + Allison programmer (optional)
US dealerEverything Audio, 7037 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood CA

Market value

(very rare; original installations, values vary)

Rarity

Very rare

"Exclusively custom built" campaign Bespoke per studio Wrap-around ergonomic format VCA grouping + Allison programmer (optional)

By the mid-1970s Dick Swettenham had moved Helios away from cataloguing models in favour of building every desk to specification — "Helios — exclusively custom built" was the campaign line. Each installation was a one-off, designed around the studio's recording approach and physical space. Major Custom-era installations included Barbarossa Studio in Munich (a compact 32-channel desk under 2 m long, with parametric EQ and dynamics on every channel), Island Studios' 5th console in London (the wrap-around format that became the iconic Helios look), The Manor in Oxfordshire (Virgin's flagship, 32 in / 24 group, VCA grouper faders, Allison automation), Dawnbreaker Studios in San Fernando California (8-track stereo aux modules with custom-"Q" mid bands), and Maison Rouge in London (32-channel 24-track with VCA group control under an Allison programmer and inbuilt Dolby noise-reduction interface).

Vintage Advertisements

Helios — "Custom Consoles by Helios" — Barbarossa Studio Munich (compact 32-ch, parametric EQ + comp/lim/exp every channel, LED column meters) + Island Studios London (5th console, wrap-around, 32 in / 24-track / quad) — Studio Sound 1974-12
Helios — "Custom Consoles by Helios" — Barbarossa Studio Munich (compact 32-ch, parametric EQ + comp/lim/exp every channel, LED column meters) + Island Studios London (5th console, wrap-around, 32 in / 24-track / quad) — Studio Sound 1974-12 (1974)
Helios at The Manor (Virgin) — 32 input / 24 output groups, 4-region parametric EQ, quad panning, VCA "grouper" faders, Allison automation, 4 echo systems with quad return panning, Vari-speed + recorder remotes — Recording 1977-02
Helios at The Manor (Virgin) — 32 input / 24 output groups, 4-region parametric EQ, quad panning, VCA "grouper" faders, Allison automation, 4 echo systems with quad return panning, Vari-speed + recorder remotes — Recording 1977-02 (1977)
Helios Custom Console Design — two-page spread, "exclusively custom built" — the definitive Custom-era marketing piece (annotated module/channel layout, Maison Rouge mentioned) — Recording 1977-04
Helios Custom Console Design — two-page spread, "exclusively custom built" — the definitive Custom-era marketing piece (annotated module/channel layout, Maison Rouge mentioned) — Recording 1977-04 (1977)
Helios at Dawnbreaker (San Fernando, California) — 32 input channels, specially-designed 8-track stereo aux modules, 4-region EQ + custom-"Q" mid bands, 24 output groups, separate quad/stereo busses, 5-speaker monitor selection, 24 linear submasters with insert points — Recording 1977-08
Helios at Dawnbreaker (San Fernando, California) — 32 input channels, specially-designed 8-track stereo aux modules, 4-region EQ + custom-"Q" mid bands, 24 output groups, separate quad/stereo busses, 5-speaker monitor selection, 24 linear submasters with insert points — Recording 1977-08 (1977)
Helios — "exclusively custom built" — Maison Rouge London (32-ch / 24-track, VCA group control, Allison programmer, inbuilt Dolby noise-reduction interface) + Capital Radio + Mainos TV — Studio Sound 1977-11
Helios — "exclusively custom built" — Maison Rouge London (32-ch / 24-track, VCA group control, Allison programmer, inbuilt Dolby noise-reduction interface) + Capital Radio + Mainos TV — Studio Sound 1977-11 (1977)

Notable Recordings

  • (Productions tracked at Custom-era Helios installations mid-to-late 1970s — specific chart-session attribution to individual Custom consoles not independently verified)

Studios

  • Barbarossa Studio, Munich (1974 ad)
  • Island Studios, London — 5th Helios console
  • The Manor, Oxfordshire (Virgin)
  • Dawnbreaker Studios, San Fernando, California
  • Maison Rouge, London