The Bimix recording consoles from the Biamp company in Beaverton,
Oregon were a smaller version of it's large format brother, the
Legend. The modules on the Bimix are essentially the same
electronically and physically, but placed in a slightly smaller frame
with lower resolution meters. The Bimix series was available in
configurations for 12,20, or 32 inputs and 8 or 16 busses.
Mic/line preamps are high quality, Class A discrete electronics. An
input transformer option was available. Tape inputs are unbalanced, but
can be adjusted for -10 or +4 operating levels. An external,
rack-mountable power supply is provided.
Channel equalizers are 3-band, pseudo-parametric with an optional high
pass filter at 150 Hz based on a design from an older Harrison
console. High and low bands are shelving type with variable frequency,
and the midrange band is a fixed bandwidth/variable frequency design.
Although this may seem restrictive at first glance, it is a very
smooth sounding EQ that's thick and defined on the low end, not at all
harsh on the highs, and capable of both subtle correction and extreme
filtering.
Balanced insert points are available for each channel. No insert
points are provided for the master fader, so any desired 2-buss
processing must be inserted post-fader between the stereo outputs and
the recorder.
There are two pre- or post-fader effects sends and two pre-fader cue
sends available per channel. The two cue sends may be used together as
one stereo cue send if desired. Alternate send configurations are
available via jumpers on the module PCBs.
The Bimix features an unusual pseudo-inline design that allows the
operator to access the input and monitor path independently, but only
in "monitor" (tracking) mode, so that there is no way to access the
line inputs during "mixdown" mode for additional effects returns, etc.
The master section provides both mono and stereo mix outputs
(balanced, with seperate master faders for each), control room
outputs, studio outputs and two stereo tape inputs for mixdown decks,
CD players, etc. There is a talkback section with a built-in mic,
oscillator for tape machine alignment (100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz) and
click input(!), as well as 4 mono effects returns with pan pots. Solo
buss level control is also provided.
