Motor City EQ from Heritage/Black Lion

raddistribution give us the deets

I'm getting my popcorn ready! :-D

Don't know if this is it or not, but cool read.

recordingmag.com/resources/recording-info/on-mastering/audio-archaeology/

Heritage Audio “MOTORCITY EQualizer”
Occasionally, something so special arrives, it turns the music industry Upside down (and inside out).
That is why Heritage Audio is incredibly pleased to offer the world’s first reproduction (and a dead on one at that) of the “Holy Grail” of classic EQ’s
.
The “MOTORCITY EQualizer”
Recreated from Motown units owned by Eight time Grammy winning producer, mixdown artist, and
innovative engineering genius Michael Brauer, Heritage Audio has left no stone unturned, recreating
the unmistakably huge, punchy, and warm signature sound that makes this EQ as classic as the hits it
helped create. From the 10 gauge hand brushed aluminum face plate, historically accurate control
layout including custom molded bakelite knobs, the MOTORCITY Equalizer looks the part. More
importantly, the unique passive equalization circuit is identical and fully faithful to the original design.
The MOTORCITY EQualizer is so precise, it stands as the only EQ available that can rival, or even “best”
the popular Pultec EQ.

It was no simple task to make a 100% accurate reincarnation. Peter Rodriguez and his team from
Heritage Audio worked for weeks with their friends at Black Lion Audio. Seth Berman from Black Lion
Audio’s NY facility took the lead in getting the info together for Heritage to
work their magic.

Everything was complicated by the 2020 summer lockdowns in Europe and the US, but they got it
done! The exceptionally tight mil spec 1960’S tone capacitors and inductors are simply no longer
available. Replace with a alternate? Not on your life. Heritage Audio had custom recreations built from
scratch. Each with exact materials, values, and tolerances:
A perfect interchangeable clone of the very
few originals remaining. Just add 60 years of dust, and you’ve got twins

The MOTORCITY EQualizer is a completely analog, 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 2000hz, 5000hz, peaking at 12,500hz. 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
(remember, this is not a slider style graphic EQ). 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. The sound itself is exactly what you’d expect. It packs a punch without
sounding harsh or distorted. While something as simple as an analog seven band EQ might sound more
like hype than hyper goodness, hearing is believing. Why has Heritage audio gone through the seemingly
impossible task of bringing them back to life?

Michael Brauer will tell you this:
It simply got that sound!  The Heritage audio MOTORCITY EQ is not a digital equivalent, not a respectfully close replica and not a
more compatible modernized “improvement.” The MOTORCITY EQualizer is nothing more or less than
the genuine article finally made available for the general public.. For the very first time in history, you
can integrate this true spec to spec carbon copy of both form and function into your own studio.

Features:

Dead nuts replica of Michael Brauer ́s units designed at Motown’s“ Hitsville” studio for private use.
First time publicly available. Motown’s Chief technical engineer and miracle worker Mike McLean ́s take
on the smart graphic eq designed for the film industry and made by Cinema Engineering, Langevin and
Altec.. Shockingly clever passive design uses no less than 21 inductors and 21 tone capacitors ( 3 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 transformer with modified turns ratio for better integration into modern
studios. Exclusively made for Heritage Audio.
.
Carnhill
driven output line amp substitutes the original ́s Achilles heel Opamplabs output.
.
In/Out/Off Lever switch allows you to A/B the effect of EQ settings.
*Motown, Cinema Engineering, Langevin, Pultec and Altec may be trademarks of their respective
owners and HA is in no way affiliated with any of them. Mike McLean is cited for historically purposes
only and HA is in no way affiliated with him

Why advertise something as 100% accurate then go on to say the circuit was changed. It may sound amazing but how dumb do companies think the punters are these days.



How can something be both a replica and modified...

Its a replica with a different input and output... lol who wrote that..

So its not a modernised improvement. But wait. It has modernised improvements... ha.

It’s really cool they went custom for so much stuff, shows they were willing spend a little extra. Also cool to see their enthusiasm. I think we are all jaded from the plugin promises and “super duper recreations” over past 20 years lol. I prefer transformer out since my grounding situation is often crap. Maybe can mod a opamp labs in there?

Cool.

Todd, I was thinking the same thing! That would be really cool if they go for a plugin with Brainworx or something.

URSplugins have a plug.

I’ve always wanted one of these. I’m very curious to hear some clips.

I’m glad someone is aggressive enough to develop new products in a down market. Back in the day companies had everything from German Broadcast to a robust recording industry to drive innovation. I’ll live with the hype and gladly support anyone who is building best in class audio production hardware. Lately I feel like I’m living in a world with no guardrails and dictated by big box stores and corporate monopolies. Sucks compared to 1972.