Heritage Audio launch Motown-inspired Motorcity EQualizer
Posted on: Thursday 2nd of September 2021
A reproduction of the ‘Holy Grail’ Motown units owned by award-winning producer and mix engineer Michael Brauer. The Motorcity’s 10-gauge aluminium faceplate features Bakelite knobs as part of its historically accurate take on its inspiration, a design by Detroit studio’s chief technical engineer, Mike McLean.
The Motorcity EQualizer is a completely analogue, passive EQ design with seven accessible frequency points across the tonal spectrum. Each frequency has a stepped rotary switch capable of a flat response, or up or down up 8db in 1dB increments. Frequency points graduate from 50Hz, 130Hz, 320Hz and 800Hz before jumping to 2kHz, 5kHz, peaking at 12.5kHz. The front panel also features a simple in/out/off toggle switch with top-hat knob and jewel light power indicator.
All rotary switches have easy-to-read from a distance ‘General Radio’ bakelite style knobs recreated to look exactly like the originals. Finally, it features a master gain control (-8db/+8db), again in 1dB increments. The incredibly simple 1960’s accurate back panel features a power supply jack, and an XLR input and output.
Features:
– Replica of Michael Brauer´s units designed at Motown’s ‘Hitsville’ studio for private use
– First time publicly available. Motown’s Chief technical engineer Mike McLean’s take on the smart graphic EQ designed for the film industry and made by Cinema Engineering, Langevin and Altec
– Passive design uses no less than 21 inductors and 21 tone capacitors (three each per band) exclusively made for Heritage Audio, matching Brauer´s values to 1% tolerances
– Heavy-duty stepped rotary switches used for all 7 EQ bands and gain control
– UTC replica input transformer with modified turns ratio for better integration into modern studios
– Carnhill-driven output line amp
– In/Out/Off Lever switch allows you to A/B the effect of EQ settings
