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Heritage Audio launches the MOTORCITY EQualizer. The analog, passive EQ should bring you the sound of the famous equalizers from the Motown studios of the 1960s into the studio. According to Heritage Audio, no effort has been spared to match the sound of the original. The company even had its own components made to replace original parts that were no longer available.
According to Heritage Audio, the MOTORCITY EQualizer is the first hardware replica of the classic EQs from the Motown studios. The single-channel, passive EQ offers seven frequency bands from 50 Hz to 12.5 kHz. For each band, there is a rasterized switch that can be used to increase or decrease a maximum of 8 dB in 1 dB steps. Instead of a simple power switch, the MOTORCITY EQ offers a lever that can also be used to activate a bypass for quick AB comparisons. There is also a master gain control, also with ± 8 dB in 1 dB steps.
To develop the MOTORCITY EQualizer, Heritage Audio analyzed original equipment owned by Motown engineer Michael Brauer. The result is a device that not only comes close to the original but also has an identical sound, according to the manufacturer. Since many original parts are no longer available and cannot be replaced with “off the shelf” components, Heritage Audio had its own components manufactured that should deviate from the original parts by a maximum of 1%.
A replica of the original UTC input transformer works in the input of the MOTORCITY EQ. At the output, Heritage Audio deviated slightly from the original and installed a Carnhill Line Amp instead of the original part from Opamp Labs, which is said to have been a frequent source of errors.
With the silver front panel and the specially made Bakelite buttons, the MOTORCITY EQ is very pretty to look at and the technical data definitely sounds promising. If you have two height units and the necessary change for a classic mono EQ, you can now bring real Motown sound into the studio with the MOTORCITY EQualizer.
Heritage Audio MOTORCITY EQualizer price and availability
The Heritage Audio MOTORCITY EQualizer is now available to pre-order through Bhphotovideo.com for $1,999.
Earlier this year at NAMM 2021, Heritage Audio has introduced the Symph EQ (stands for “Stereo Asymptotic Equalizer”) is specially designed for mastering in a slim 19-inch housing. Compared to the usual Baxandall EQs, the sound here should sound more musical and tighter and is priced at $1,499.
