The Helios Vintage Distortion is a recreation of the iconic Pro Co RAT Distortion pedal, known for its distinctive mid-to-high-gain character popularized by 1980s hard rock bands. The original RAT was first released in 1978 and underwent several iterations over the years, including the RAT2 and Turbo RAT.

The core circuit of the RAT remained largely unchanged throughout its lifespan, featuring a basic op-amp gain stage followed by diode-to-ground clipping. However, the RAT also introduced significant EQ alterations in the op-amp stage, as well as the addition of a tone control and output buffer.

The Helios Vintage Distortion builds upon the RAT’s foundation and adds two modifications. Firstly, it includes a clipping switch that allows users to select between different sets of diodes, providing additional tonal options. Secondly, the Helios features a Sweep control that alters the EQ and gain structure, further expanding the pedal’s sonic capabilities.

The new 125B version of the Helios has undergone an overhaul, sacrificing some flexibility in exchange for a simpler and more straightforward build. This redesign aims to make the pedal easier to assemble and use, while still delivering the distinctive mid-to-high-gain character that made the RAT famous.

Summary created by AI from the original source.