Heritage Audio Motorcity Equalizer

The Heritage Audio MOTORCITY EQualizer brings one of recording history’s most elusive equalizers back into the modern studio. Recreated from original Motown units owned by eight-time Grammy winning producer and mix engineer Michael Brauer, it captures the unmistakable sound of a rare passive EQ design originally built for private use at Motown’s Hitsville studio.

Everything about the MOTORCITY EQualizer is made to feel and behave like the original. The 10-gauge hand-brushed aluminium faceplate, historically accurate control layout and custom-moulded Bakelite-style knobs give the unit its unmistakable period-correct appearance, while the fully analog passive equalization circuit follows the original design with exceptional care.

Unlike a slider-style graphic EQ, the MOTORCITY uses seven stepped rotary frequency bands across the tonal spectrum: 50 Hz, 130 Hz, 320 Hz, 800 Hz, 2 kHz, 5 kHz and 12.5 kHz. Each band can be set flat or adjusted up or down by 8 dB in precise 1 dB steps, making it fast, musical and repeatable. A stepped master gain control provides an additional ±8 dB of level adjustment, also in 1 dB increments.

Inside, Heritage Audio has recreated the clever passive design using 21 inductors and 21 tone capacitors, with three of each per band, custom manufactured to match Michael Brauer’s units to 1% tolerance. The input stage uses a UTC-style replica transformer with a modified turns ratio for better integration in modern studios, while the output stage is driven by a Carnhill-based line amplifier, replacing the original Opamp Labs output section.

The result is a tone-shaping tool with real authority. It adds size, punch and warmth without becoming harsh, making it equally at home on drums, bass, guitars, vocals, mix buses and full program material. This is not a digital interpretation or a modernized approximation. The MOTORCITY EQualizer is a true recreation of a legendary Motown equalizer, finally made available for today’s studios.

Main Features

* Faithful recreation of Michael Brauer’s original Motown EQ units
* Based on the rare passive EQ design built at Motown’s Hitsville studio
* Fully analog passive equalization circuit
* Seven fixed frequency bands: 50 Hz, 130 Hz, 320 Hz, 800 Hz, 2 kHz, 5 kHz and 12.5 kHz
* Each band offers flat, boost or cut operation up to ±8 dB
* 1 dB stepped control for all EQ bands
* Stepped master gain control with ±8 dB range in 1 dB increments
* 21 custom inductors and 21 custom tone capacitors
* Components matched to Michael Brauer’s units with 1% tolerance
* UTC-style replica input transformer with modified turns ratio
* Carnhill-driven output line amplifier
* In / Out / Off lever switch for easy comparison
* 10-gauge hand-brushed aluminium faceplate
* Custom Bakelite-style rotary knobs inspired by the original units
* XLR input and output

Serial no.: #22410552

PSU with EU plug works on 100-240V.

US and EU parcels ship via UPS, ETA 1-7 working days from pickup day zero. That also applies to most locations worldwide.

All shipments are fully insured.

Bigger shipments requiring pallets or custom made crates ship to US, CA, JP, CN, AU and other outside of EU locations via DHL Air Freight, ETA is normally approx. 7-14 working days from pickup day zero.

Big shipments inside EU ship via different freight companies, recently mostly via ACE Logistics. Freight forwarders can use different courier companies for deliveries to final destinations.

Palletising and crating time can vary depending on the size of the shipment and packaging queue. We pack all our shipments with great care.

You are most welcome to pick your order up yourself from our Retrosonic Pro Audio showroom, studio and warehouse in Tallinn, Estonia.

We ship worldwide – contact us for a personal shipping quote or any other questions.

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