Grace Design ALiX

A high-quality preamp/DI pedal with extensive tone-shaping tools.

August 21, 2025

With a background in building high-end studio gear, Colorado’s Grace Design entered the world of acoustic amplification with its FELiX preamp about a decade back. A studio-grade two-channel preamp/DI box that includes a host of features, the FELiX has become wildly popular. But not everyone needs a two-channel setup (for blending two pickups or using multiple instruments), so Grace introduced the single-channel ALiX. While it’s not a brand-new product, we hadn’t had a chance to demo it until now. In this video, I introduce the ALiX in the Peghead Nation studio. I also briefly discuss the simpler Grace Design Bix preamp, which I’ll cover more in-depth in the near future. And if you’d like to know about all of Grace Design’s acoustic preamp options, check out our recent demo of the company’s new MOXi!

Like all of Grace Design’s preamps, the ALiX is sturdy. With a footprint of about 5¼ x 6 inches, the medium-size pedal can either stand on its own or be integrated onto a pedalboard. It has a custom-wound transformer for an ultra-clean signal path, balanced and isolated DI output, a powerful EQ section, and a pair of footswitches for signal boost and mute/tune. The ALiX operates on AC power via a standard IEC cable (no power adapter needed) and its EQ includes fully parametric mids like those found on a studio mixing board. The first row of knobs has a high pass filter/notch filter (either function is selected with a small dip switch on the unit’s side), and three controls labeled Mid, Mid Hz, and Mid Q. Mid provides up to 12 db cut or boost of the specific frequency selected by the Mid Hz control (either 70Hz – 880Hz in “low” setting or 670Hz – 8.0kHz in “hi” setting, selected by another dip switch).

The Mid Q is what makes the EQ fully parametric, and allows adjustment of the EQ’s bandwidth’s sharpness. The mid EQ is augmented with separate fixed frequency Low and High controls. Besides these tone-shaping tools, the ALiX’s face has controls for input gain, level of boost, and amp output volume. A quartet of ¼-inch jacks provide connections for Input, Amp Out, Tuner Out, and Insert (via a TRS cable). The unit’s input can be fine tuned to a particular pickup’s output impedance with a three-position switch (Med = 1MΩ, Hi = 10MΩ, and Low = 330kΩ). Three small push-buttons activate phase-reversal, ground-lift, and line or mic level for the XLR output. The ALiX includes the clever feature of a 9-volt output socket that can power other pedals with up to 500 mA of total draw. A dip switch activates 12 volts of phantom power at the input jack for pickups and internal mics as needed.

I tried the ALiX in a few different environments: For the video demo, I used my Martin OM, which has an L.R. Baggs Anthem SL pickup system, plugged into a Fishman SA330x mini PA. I also used it at a gig where I played the same Martin as well as a Taylor 355 with a D-TAR Timberline pickup, both interfacing directly with the venue’s PA, as well as at home, trying various guitars with piezo and magnetic pickups through an AER Compact 60 amp. In every setting, I felt that my guitars sounded more “open” and less restrained when using the ALiX, which I’m attributing to the unit’s quality transformer, and Grace Design’s know-how with studio gear. Players new to high pass filters and parametric EQs should do a little homework before taking the ALiX out to a gig. After working with those tools myself, I found them to be powerful and precise, giving me a level of control that is rare in stand-alone, multifunction pedals.

With its tonal transparency, surgical-level EQ, and well-planned features, the ALiX makes it clear why it has become a top choice for performing musicians with every type of amplified acoustic instrument. Anyone looking for an advanced single-channel preamp/DI would do well to give the ALiX a try.

Grace Design ALiX specs

Single-channel preamp/EQ/Direct Box for acoustic-electric instruments
¼-inch input with phase inversion switches
XLR DI output with ground-lift
¼-inch Amp output
¼-inch TRS effect loop
3-band EQ with fully parametric midrange
High pass filter/notch filter
Mini dip switches for toggling between high pass filter or notch filter, hi or low mid frequencies, and optional 12-volt mic power.
9-volt/500 mA output
Footswitches for Boost (with level control), and Mute
Metal enclosure
IEC AC-power socket (100 – 240 v.)
$765 street