Gainlab Audio Bishop (Ex-Demo)

All-valve channel strip with dual-slope optical compressor

• Ex-Demo product: fully functional with no signs.
• Fully tube mono channel strip
• Gainlab Audio exclusive dual slope optical compressor
• Fully balanced signal path
• Mic, Instrument and Line inputs
• Gain selectable up to +60 dB
• HPF selectable at 80 Hz and 120 Hz
• Dynamic Air Band for controlled, musical brilliance
• Output VU meter and dual LED bar for gain reduction
• Rugged construction with high-quality components

The Gainlab Audio Bishop Ex-Demo is an all-valve channel strip designed to offer much more than a classic high-end channel strip. This Ex-Demo unit represents an excellent opportunity to access Gainlab Audio sound and construction at a bargain price, while retaining all the tonal personality and build quality of the original model.

At the heart of the design is a three-valve based microphone preamplifier section designed to provide harmonic depth, musicality and authority over a wide range of sources. The Bishop also integrates a dual-slope optical compressor, a proprietary solution that expands the classic opto approach with more flexible and refined behavior, ideal for tracking, recording, sound design and creative saturation.

Gainlab Audio Bishop: tube preamplifier and balanced pathway

The Bishop's preamplifier section is fully tube and works with a fully balanced signal path, ensuring a solid, defined and harmonically rich sound output. The dual-loop gain selector allows for working with two dedicated scales:

• Low Gain up to +40 dB
• High Gain up to +60 dB

This configuration makes the Gainlab Audio Bishop extremely versatile with both microphones and line or instrument signals. There are Mic, Instrument and Line inputs on the panel, as well as essential functions such as 48V phantom power, phase switch, pad and drive control to color the instrument input with more character.

Signal control and flexibility in the studio

The Bishop is designed to offer immediate and musical signal control. The selectable 80 Hz and 120 Hz high-pass filter helps manage unwanted low frequencies, while the central VU meter shows the output level with great clarity while working in the studio.

Gainlab Audio dual-slope optical compressor.

One of the most distinctive elements of the Gainlab Audio Bishop is its dual-slope optical compressor. This unique architecture echoes the musical behavior of classic opto solutions, but introduces a second slope that significantly expands the possibilities for dynamic control.

The result is a compression capable of moving from soft and natural intervention to more assertive restraint, while always maintaining musicality, depth and control. Character, Time and Threshold options allow the compressor's behavior to be precisely and creatively shaped.

Dynamic Air Band and Character on high frequencies

Among the Bishop's most interesting functions is the Dynamic Air Band, a real secret weapon for giving openness and presence to the sound. It can work like a classic Air Band, adding brilliance in an elegant way, but with the compressor active it also reacts to the level of compression applied, restoring a unique character to high frequencies.

This feature makes the Bishop especially effective on vocals, acoustic instruments, bass, synths, sound design, and all sources that benefit from a more lively, three-dimensional presence in the mix.

Applications of the Gainlab Audio Bishop Ex-Demo

With its all-valve architecture and versatile opto compressor, the Bishop is suitable for multiple professional contexts:

• Tracking monitoring
• Vocal and instrumental recording
• Sound design
• Creative harmonic saturation
• Processing of synth, bass, guitar and line sources

Robust construction, engraved front panel, and selected components confirm Gainlab Audio's philosophy: to offer instruments that are reliable, musical, and built to last.

Technical Specifications.

• Type: All-valve channel strip
• Channels: 1 (Mono)
• Compressor: Optical
• Hardware Format: Rack
• Signal path: fully balanced
• Inputs: XLR/Jack balanced combo, XLR rear panel
• Output: XLR balanced
• Input options: Microphone, Instrument, Line
• Input impedance: > 10 kOhm
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±1 dB
• High Gain: +60 dB
• Low Gain Gain: +40 dB
• High-pass filter: 80 Hz, 120 Hz
• Phantom power supply: 48V
• THD+N (0 dBu): < 0.3%
• Valves: yes
• Dimensions: 483 x 280 x 89 mm
• Weight: 5.2 kg
• Power supply: 230V AC (EU), 110V AC (US)