H2 Audio 0011

H2 Audio 0011 recreates the Type 69 input module from the Helios consoles that ran at Olympic Studios in the late sixties. One module holds a microphone preamp built around a Lustraphone M10 transformer and a three-band inductor EQ. Every unit is hand-assembled in Detroit.

British rock character at the input stage

The M10 transformer contributes 20 dB of gain before the preamp circuit even starts, so the signal arrives with a density that no plugin adds back later in the mix. Microphone gain reaches 75 dB and moves in 5 dB steps, which means a setting can be written down and matched exactly on an overdub.

Inductor EQ instead of surgical correction

The equalizer runs on inductors and was never designed for precision notching. Low frequency boost sits at 60, 100, 200 or 300 Hz, while a separate 50 Hz filter cuts between 3 and 15 dB, so drums can be cleaned up and weighted at the same time. The mid band works in peak or trough mode across 0.7-6 kHz, and the top is a fixed 10 kHz shelf with 10 dB of range in 2 dB steps. The transformer output drives 600 ohms to 25 dBm.

KEY FEATURES

• Faithful recreation of the Helios Type 69 module from the Olympic consoles
• Lustraphone M10 input transformer contributing 20 dB of gain
• Microphone gain of 25-75 dB in 5 dB increments
• Three-band inductor-based equalizer
• Line, mic and mic with 20 dB pad input modes
• Gold-plated ELMA rotary switches and sealed conductive plastic pots
• Hand-assembled in Detroit with custom-wound transformers

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Microphone gain: 25-75 dB in 5 dB steps
• Input transformer: Lustraphone M10, 20 dB of gain
• Input modes: line, mic, mic with 20 dB pad
• Low band: boost at 60, 100, 200 or 300 Hz
• High-pass filter: 50 Hz, 3 to 15 dB of cut
• Mid band: peak or trough, 0.7-6 kHz
• High band: fixed 10 kHz shelf, +/- 10 dB in 2 dB steps
• Output: transformer balanced, 600 ohm drive
• Maximum output: 25 dBm before clipping
• Power rails: 32 V
• Dimensions: 7" height (4U), 1.7" width
• Power: requires an H2 Audio 002, 004 or 008 rack