The Grace Design FELiX is a two-channel preamplifier/EQ/blender built as a pedal, made by Grace Design. It gives a player two independent channels, each with its own gain, filtering and EQ, plus a blend section that mixes the two together, with DI outputs for the PA and a headphone output for silent practice1. It sits in the territory of preamp pedals and equalization pedals, aimed at players running a microphone and a pickup, or two instruments, into one rig.
Power and connections
The FELiX runs from a universal 100-240VAC power supply with a standard IEC cable, so it is a mains-powered unit rather than a battery or pedal-supply device1. That rules out daisy-chaining it from a pedalboard supply and means it needs an outlet, but it also underpins the headroom the preamps are known for.
Its connections are extensive for a pedal-format unit:
- Inputs: one XLR (mic/line), two 1/4", one 1/4" TRS insert, IEC power input1
- Outputs: two XLR DI (mic/line), 1/4" amp out, 1/4" tuner out, 1/4" footswitch out, 1/8" headphone out1
48V phantom power is available on the Channel 1 XLR mic input, which has a fixed input impedance of 8.1kohm1. That makes the FELiX usable with condenser microphones without a separate supply.
Channels, impedance and EQ
Each channel carries the same control set: Gain, HPF/Notch, Low, Mid boost/cut, Mid Hz, Mid Q and High. Globally there are Boost level, Amp/Phones level, Mix blend, and footswitch controls for Mix, Boost and Mute/Tune1.
A notable feature for players matching a pickup to a preamp is the selectable input impedance. Channel 1 gives a choice of 10kohm, 1Megohm or 10Megohm; Channel 2 offers 332kohm, 1Megohm or 20Megohm1. Each channel also has a switchable HPF/Notch filter, either a high-pass filter or a notch filter, both continuously variable from 20Hz to 1kHz, and internal jumpers can switch the Low filter on either channel to 250Hz1.
What reviewers said
Bass Gear Magazine's review, by Chris Fitzgerald, described the preamps this way:
"The preamps on both channels offer the classic Grace Design signature sound: clean and detailed with plenty of headroom and incredibly low noise."
On using it live, the same reviewer reported:
"the sound of the Grace preamps enabled me to cut through the mix with clarity and without becoming muddy at all"
The context was a loud small venue with no FOH support, where clarity in a loud stage mix is the test a two-channel preamp has to pass1.
Videos
Sweetwater
Sweetwater
grace design
Questions
Does the Grace Design FELiX have phantom power?
Yes. The FELiX provides 48V phantom power on the Channel 1 XLR mic input, which has a fixed input impedance of 8.1kohm. That lets a condenser microphone be used directly with the pedal. The Channel 1 line input, by contrast, offers a choice of 10kohm, 1Megohm or 10Megohm input impedance.
Is the Grace Design FELiX made in the USA?
Yes. Bass Gear Magazine's review of the FELiX lists its place of manufacture as the USA. The unit is built by Grace Design, and the review also notes a 5-year transferable warranty.
How much does the Grace Design FELiX cost?
As of the May 2018 Bass Gear Magazine review, the FELiX carried a list price of $1,095 with a street price of $995. Prices change over time, so the current figure may differ.
How heavy is the Grace Design FELiX?
The FELiX weighs 3.2 lbs, according to Bass Gear Magazine's review. Its dimensions are given as 5.5 inches deep by 9.5 inches long by 3.0 inches high.
What is the warranty on the Grace Design FELiX?
Bass Gear Magazine's review lists a 5-year, transferable warranty for the FELiX. A transferable warranty stays with the unit rather than the original owner, which matters if you buy or sell one used.
Sources (1)
- Grace Design FELiX Instrument Preamp Blender Pedal, Bass Gear Magazine, 2018-05-01