IGS Audio BISON 500 parallel mid/side mixer

General

The BISON 500 from IGS Audio is a powerful tool for analogue mixing in stereo. When you connect two mono compressors or a stereo compressor, you can apply mid/side and parallel compression. This means that your stereo signal is split into two signals: one containing all the information that the left and right channels have in common and one containing all the differences between them. This therefore allows you to treat the 'centre' of your audio signal differently from what is located at the sides. For example, by making the side channel louder or giving it different compression, you can enlarge your stereo image. The large dry/wet knob allows you to mix the applied compression to a greater or lesser extent with the unmodified signal.

Compact but powerful

The BISON 500 has a compact size and fits into 500-series rack cabinets. On the front, there are four balanced jack connectors to connect the desired compressors, the dry/wet knob and a switch that switches between stereo, mid/side mode and bypass. To use it, all you have to do is connect two compressors with the send and return connectors. You then determine the desired compression on both channels and add it to the original signal. Parallel compression with the dry/wet knob allows you to kick the signal's ass with the compressors, but still keep some of the original dynamics.