Dear Ethan,
I do so hate to cross horns . . . I accept that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I am eternally grateful that we all get our results by differing means/gear/techniques. I have in my posession Neve, Audix, Pye, Decca, API, Teletronix, Urei, Neumann, Audio + Design, Tab, Siemens, MCI, NTP, Eckmiller, SSL, to name but a few. By far the best overall Mic pre's in my toolbox/By far the best overall eq's (Active or Passive)IMP(roffesional)Opinion are my beloved HELIOS's - So There! My clients all agree, to a Man(or Woman!) All styles of music. Most sybilence-free vocals EVERY TIME! Fattest bottom end, cleanest highs. Smoothest, most "musical" mid-range (Yeach!-can't believe I said that!) I have many differing types/ configurations, and they ALL rock - I DO accept that it's each to his own - blah blah blah!
If you have any "overated" Helioses in your posession, I would be delighted to relieve you of them!
- By the way, when did you last actually USE any Helioses? I use mine everyday . . .
BTW On a serious note, I reallydon't mean to be flipant, there is a serious note to my missive. - Praise the Lord we all like DIFFERENT things! Imagine a world where all music sounded the same . . . . I'm certain you ADORE somethings that I would NEVER USE in a million years!
All the best, and PLEASE, keep the fur flying!
Andy P