Grace Design Bix

A "Small" Grace Design Tailored for Modern Acoustic Rigs

After establishing the FELiX and ALiX as benchmarks among touring and studio musicians, Grace Design has adapted the same audio philosophy into a more streamlined pedalboard unit: the BiX. The idea is simple: retain the brand's ultra-faithful sonic DNA (low noise, large headroom, very realistic reproduction) while simplifying controls to get straight to the point on an acoustic pedalboard.

Who Is It For, Which Styles, and In What Contexts?

The Grace Design BiX is aimed at acoustic guitarists, mandolin players, banjo players, double bassists, or acoustic bassists who want a clean and controlled direct signal chain without relying solely on the mixing console channel. It's an excellent choice for live use (XLR DI to front of house + line out to amp/monitor), but also for recording when seeking a faithful capture without excessive coloration.

In terms of styles, it shines whenever you want to preserve the instrument's character: folk, bluegrass, pop, country, worship, jazz, or any context where playing nuance and attack must remain intact. Its compact format and clear controls make it very comfortable on a minimalist pedalboard, including on stages with frequent instrument changes.

Features and Handling: Efficiency Above All

The front panel focuses on essentials: Gain to adjust input level, Low and High (shelving EQ) to quickly correct room acoustics or an overly bright piezo pickup, and an adjustable Boost to cut through the mix. Two footswitches provide immediate control: Mute for total silence (tuning, instrument change) and Boost to activate the boost (about 10 dB, up to +12 dB maximum).

On the rear, the separate Insert Send/Return loop allows clean insertion of delay, reverb, or modulation effects without routing hacks. To fine-tune the EQ, DIP switches select two transition frequencies for the Low and High controls, convenient for adapting the pedal to different instruments and pickups. Important: for optimal operation, the unit requires cables with Neutrik-style connectors (appropriate profile).

Sound

The BiX aims for a natural and hi-fi reproduction: it does not "mask" your acoustic sound, it enhances it. The low end remains solid and clear without muddiness, while the high end gains openness without harshness, which helps greatly with certain piezo pickups. The response is very responsive to playing : attack variations, pick nuances, fingerstyle, and right-hand dynamics come through clearly, all while maintaining a comfortable feel thanks to very low background noise and large internal headroom.

Technical specifications

Category	acoustic preamp	EQ	2 channels
Format	Pedal	Headphone output	No
Effects loop	Yes	Color	Grey

Instrument Input	asymmetrical 6.35mm Jack, high impedance	Frequency Response (DI output)	10 Hz to 40 kHz
Effects Loop / Insert	separate Send and Return (6.35mm Jack)	THD+N	less than 0.002% (1 kHz, 0 dB or 20 dB gain, +10 dBu out)
Line Output	asymmetrical 6.35mm Jack	Instrument Input Impedance	1 M? (depending on serial number)
DI Output	transformer-isolated symmetrical XLR	Impedances (insert/outputs)	Insert Input 200 ?, Insert Output 150 ?, Line Output 150 ?, DI Output 150 ?
Potentiometers	Gain, Low, High, Boost	Indicator	Signal/Peak LED (green threshold -13 dBu, red threshold +12 dBu)
Footswitches	Mute, Boost	Chassis	compact pedalboard format, low height, designed for pedalboards
Boost	variable (about 10 dB, up to +12 dB max)	Dimensions	height 6.35 cm x width 13.0 cm x depth 11.4 cm
DIP Switches	select EQ transition frequencies (Low and High)	Weight	0.55 kg
Type	shelving EQ (bass and treble)	Manufacturing	Made in USA
Adjustment Range	+/-15 dB	Note	requires cables with Neutrik connectors for optimal operation
Low	100 Hz or 200 Hz (depending on DIP setting)	Required Power Supply	9V DC
High	2 kHz or 4 kHz (depending on DIP setting)	Accepted Voltage Range	6V DC to 12V DC
Gain (line output)	0 dB to +37 dB	Nominal Current	150 mA
DI Level (line reference)	-29 dB to +8 dB	Connector	2.1 mm, center negative
Frequency Response (line output, -3 dB)	10 Hz to 185 kHz