BiX from Grace Design

[spoonmeyer]

Hi everybody, Eben Grace from Grace Design here.

I just wanted to drop in and formally announce our new preamp: the BiX. Its a streamlined version of the FELiX and ALIX. The sonic quality and performance specs are right in line with the bigger units (that was the #1 design requirement, period). It does run on a 9VDC input, but stepped-up internal operating voltages are over 30V. We did not want to do this if we couldn't make it operate with the same clarity, headroom and dynamics as the big boys. So basically, we put the ALiX in our new top secret shrink-ray machine. Its designed to be the best sounding little grab-and-go preamp, EQ, DI and boost around.

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/bix/bix.htm

It will be shipping in about 2 weeks, and is $335 list / $295 street.

Here's a quick rundown:

1/4" high impedance input (10MEG)
Separate FX send and return
1/4" unbalanced line output
Balanced XLR DI transformer iso output (same transformer as FELiX & ALiX)
10dB variable boost
Mute and Boost footswitches
High and Low shelving EQ
Selectable EQ corner frequencies (Low = 180Hz / 360Hz - High = 1kHz & 2kHz)
9VDC operation / over 30V internal operating voltage
Pedalboard friendly design
5 year transferable warranty
Made in the USA

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Cheers!

[Cuki79]

Great,

When will it be available in Europe and at what price (€)?

Cuki

[spoonmeyer]

Cuki, they'll be shipping in about two weeks. What country are you in? All of our intl' distributors are listed towards the bottom of this page:

http://www.gracedesign.com/dealer/dealers.htm

Possibly reach out to the distributor where you are and find out if they have one on order.

I quoted US pricing, export price depends on your region's duties, VAT etc...

Thanks!

[Cuki79]

My country is France.

cuki

[fingeryoga]

What is the milli-amp / current draw ?

[fingeryoga]

Originally Posted by fingeryoga

What is the milli-amp / current draw ?

Well according to the manual the current requirement is 200ma , which means my pedal power supply will work

[The Doc...]

Grace Design makes quality stuff; Both the FELiX and ALiX are wonderful preamps -IMHO.

I would have no doubts in the BiX. Thanks for sharing the info, Eban!

[OneThing]

I have an LR Baggs Lyric in my Taylor and I use a Session DI with it. The Lyric needs some EQ tweaking (for me anyway) that goes beyond the norm. I've tried some different pedals and the one that surprisingly works best is the Tech 21 Sansamp Bass DI. I've been thinking about getting the LR Baggs Venue DI though because it seems to have some great EQ shaping. Is the BiX something I should also consider? How would it's EQ shaping compare to the Venue? I've never used any Grace Design products, so I have no experience with the product line. Thank you

[ukejon]

I've been very pleased with my LR Baggs Venue, which has 5 band EQ with parametric low and hi mids. There also is a highly effective notch filter. So lots of tone control, along with Mute, Boost, and Phase switches as well as a Tuner. Been using this well conceived, battery powered DI for nearly four years with zero issues or complaints. With that said, I wouldn't mind owning the Grace Felix as well...very impressive device.

[fingeryoga]

Originally Posted by OneThing

I have an LR Baggs Lyric in my Taylor and I use a Session DI with it. The Lyric needs some EQ tweaking (for me anyway) that goes beyond the norm. I've tried some different pedals and the one that surprisingly works best is the Tech 21 Sansamp Bass DI. I've been thinking about getting the LR Baggs Venue DI though because it seems to have some great EQ shaping. Is the BiX something I should also consider? How would it's EQ shaping compare to the Venue? I've never used any Grace Design products, so I have no experience with the product line. Thank you

I would choose the bix over the venue . I use the felix and it's audio quality is on another level. I would think the bix is also , will report back when I receive mine

[OneThing]

Originally Posted by fingeryoga

I would choose the bix over the venue . I use the felix and it's audio quality is on another level. I would think the bix is also , will report back when I receive mine

You could be right. I'm intrigued, but I would like to hear it, or hear from those that have.

[fingerwalker]

Want to resurrect this thread. Am curious about the Grace Design Bix and Alix, especially compared to the Baggs Venue. Anyone have experience with either of these units?

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by fingerwalker

Want to resurrect this thread. Am curious about the Grace Design Bix and Alix, especially compared to the Baggs Venue. Anyone have experience with either of these units?

I have Felix and the Venue, and had Alix for a while when I reviewed it for AG. Haven't seen Bix. All are good units. Sonically, the Grace preamps are in a class of their own. The Felix is 2 channels of essentially the Grace m101 studio preamp, Alix is one channel, same basic electronics, just single channel. They're clean, quiet, lots of gain, excellent EQ.

The Venue has a lot going for it as well, especially the 5 bands of EQ, with 2 sweepable mids, and it should fit the bill for anyone, too. You have some tradeoffs between features, with Alix having a single full parametric EQ mids, the Venue has two semi-parametric mids. Alix (and Felix) have a high pass filter that I find especially effective with SBTs, to get rid of that low thump when your finger/pick hits the string. The venue has a transformer-coupled output that adds it's own goodness to the sound.

So with Alix vs Venue, it depends on your needs - studio-quality sonics with full parametric EQ and a high pass filter, vs the 5-band EQ and transformer out of the Venue. Both have boost switch, effects insert, XLR and 1/4 out. Alix has a cool feature - 9 volts out for powering other pedals! Alix runs on AC, Venue uses a power supply. Probably can't go too far wrong with either one.

Can't comment on Bix.

[varmonter]

Well I have a felix and I wouldn't think the
Bix or Alix would be much different.
I play guitar and mandolin in my band so the
Two channel felix works for me. I think Eben
Has done a great job on these. Sonically they
Are superior. A bit of a learning curve . Lots of features
to get used to. They are not cheap. But like with
Most things you get what you pay for.

[fingerwalker]

Thanks all. This is helpful.