Tube channel strip
The Bishop is a complete processing section designed around a tube microphone preamplifier. It brings together rare and very useful features: a second compression slope control, a "drive" section to increase saturation and a dynamic air band. A beautiful toolbox with beautiful components, a fully balanced audio path and an all-tube preamp. It is aimed at tracking, recording, sound design and anyone looking for tube saturation.
An all-tube microphone preamp
The preamp is built around three tubes. The dual-ring stepped gain selector offers two ranges: +40 dB in low gain mode, +60 dB in high gain mode. The microphone and instrument inputs are on the front panel; mic or line selection is on the rear. Input impedances suit each source: 2 kΩ for microphone, 18 kΩ for line and 500 kΩ for instrument. 48 V phantom power, phase reverse, a pad and a high-pass filter at 60 Hz or 120 Hz complete the section.
Instrument drive
On the instrument input, a dedicated discrete circuit lets you push the saturation. It is the ideal tool to add grit to a bass, guitar or synth recorded direct.
Dual-slope optical compressor
The compressor follows the LA-2A optical principle and adds a second compression slope. The controls: character selector, time selector, threshold and second slope control. Gain reduction is shown on a dual LED bar, and output level on a VU meter.
Dynamic air band
The air band has two modes. It works as a standard air band, or it reacts to the compressor's activity when the compressor is engaged.
Specifications
- All-tube microphone preamp (3 tubes)
- Fully balanced audio path
- Front inputs: microphone and instrument; rear: microphone and line (selectable)
- Input impedance: microphone 2 kΩ, line 18 kΩ, instrument 500 kΩ
- Output impedance: < 150 Ω
- Maximum output level: +30 dBu
- Gain: +40 dB (low gain mode) or +60 dB (high gain mode), dual-ring stepped selector
- 48 V phantom power, phase reverse, pad
- High-pass filter at 60 Hz or 120 Hz
- Discrete "Instrument drive" section
- Dual-slope optical compressor: character, time, threshold, second slope
- Two-mode dynamic air band
- Output attenuator
- Output VU meter and dual gain reduction LED bar
- Noise floor: < -70 dBu unweighted
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 98 dB (10 Hz - 22 kHz)
- Distortion: < 0.03% at 0 dB output (1 kHz); < 0.6% at +26 dBu output (1 kHz)
- Dimensions: 483 x 280 x 89 mm
- Weight: 4.2 kg
- Mains: 230 V AC (EU), 110 V AC (US)
To continue the chain with a tube equaliser from the same brand, see the Gainlab Empress.
