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Average Price: $445

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$119

$300+

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Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Infuse your tracks with the legendary Motown sound that defined a musical era. The Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 is a meticulously crafted re-creation of the direct boxes that powered the iconic grooves of Hitsville USA. With its roots in the early 1960s, this direct box captures the essence of the Funk Brothers—Motown's legendary in-house rhythm section. Whether you're a bassist channeling the spirit of James Jamerson or a guitarist inspired by Dennis Coffey, the WB-3 is your gateway to that coveted warm, crisp, and colorful tone.

Engineered with precision, the WB-3 integrates modern enhancements while staying true to its vintage lineage. It features a vintage-replica input transformer and optimized variable attenuation, allowing you to handle high-level inputs with ease. Housed in a rugged custom steel case, it's built to withstand the rigors of any studio environment while delivering pristine audio fidelity. The WB-3 doesn't just promise a sound; it brings a piece of musical history to your fingertips.

Key Features:

  • Re-creation of the original Motown DI box
  • Designed from the original Motown engineering schematics
  • Vintage-replica input transformer
  • Optimized variable attenuation for high-level inputs
  • Parallel 1/4" jacks for convenient In and Thru patching
  • Rugged custom steel case

Product specs

Type Passive Direct Box
Channels 1
Pads Variable Attenuator
Ground Lift Yes
Inputs 2 x 1/4" (parallel)
Outputs 1 x XLR

FAQs

What makes the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 different from other passive DI boxes?

The Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 is designed to replicate the classic Motown sound, offering a warm, vintage tone. Its unique transformer design and variable attenuator make it stand out for studio recording applications.

Can the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 handle both instrument and line-level signals?

Yes, the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 can handle both instrument and line-level signals, thanks to its variable attenuator feature, which allows for precise level adjustment.

Does the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 require phantom power to operate?

No, as a passive direct box, the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 does not require phantom power to function, making it easy to integrate into any recording setup.

How does the ground lift feature on the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 help in a recording setup?

The ground lift feature on the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 helps eliminate hum and ground loop noise, ensuring a clean audio signal in your recordings.

What types of inputs and outputs does the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 offer?

The Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 provides 2 x 1/4" parallel inputs and 1 x XLR output, allowing for versatile connectivity options in studio environments.

Lance Seymour

Lance Seymour

Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 demo by Lance Seymour

Video thumbnail for Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 demo by Lance Seymour by Lance Seymour

Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 demo by Lance Seymour

Lance Seymour

Lance Seymour

Video thumbnail for Acme Motown DI preview by Acme Audio Mfg. Co.

Acme Motown DI preview

Acme Audio Mfg. Co.

Acme Audio Mfg. Co.

Video thumbnail for Acme audio Motown DI WB-3 - short review and bass demo by Nat Jag

Acme audio Motown DI WB-3 - short review and bass demo

Nat Jag

Nat Jag

Video thumbnail for ACME Motown DI box with Fender P Bass WB-3 Precision by Frank Olson Twins

ACME Motown DI box with Fender P Bass WB-3 Precision

Frank Olson Twins

Frank Olson Twins

Video thumbnail for Acme Motown D.I. WB-3 - Summer NAMM 2015 by Sound On Sound magazine

Acme Motown D.I. WB-3 - Summer NAMM 2015

Sound On Sound magazine

Sound On Sound magazine

Video thumbnail for Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 DEMO by Miyaji Music【宮地楽器神田店】 by 宮地楽器 Miyaji Guitars Kanda

Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 DEMO by Miyaji Music【宮地楽器神田店】

宮地楽器 Miyaji Guitars Kanda

宮地楽器 Miyaji Guitars Kanda

Video thumbnail for Acme Audio / Motown D.I. WB-3 by RockoNCompany

Acme Audio / Motown D.I. WB-3

RockoNCompany

RockoNCompany

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers authentic Motown sound with warm lows and smooth highs

  • Enhances bass guitar tone, making it richer and more balanced

  • Functions effectively as a re-amp box in studio settings

  • Allows direct feed to DAW and amp simultaneously for versatile recording

  • Requires less EQ and compression on bass tracks post-processing

  • Recommended by professional bassists for live and studio performances

  • Complements classic bass setups, enhancing vintage tones

  • Improves integration with existing bass amp plugins

CONS

  • Volume knob only functional when Attenuator switch is engaged

  • Limited capabilities compared to more modern direct boxes

  • Expensive for a piece that complements rather than defines the Motown sound

  • Not ideal for live performances in loud, crowded venues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3.

Comparisons

  • The Aguilar Tonehammer pedal with AGS engaged provides a Motown tone, offering an affordable alternative to high-priced equipment like the Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3.

    Source
  • The Broughton P15 and Fliptop preamps are highlighted as viable alternatives for achieving a vintage Motown sound without the high cost.

    Source
  • The Darkglass VMT pedal, while not as precise for Motown, is versatile and can accommodate a range of musical styles beyond just vintage sounds.

    Source
  • The Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI is frequently recommended for its rock-solid build and reliable EQ, making it a trusted choice among gigging musicians.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Orange Terror Bass head is noted for delivering a Motown-style sound through its DI out, suitable for direct recording applications.

    Source
  • The Two Notes Le Bass pedal is praised for its dual drive sections, providing both warm clean tones and thumpy Motown-inspired sounds with a classic tube character.

    Source
  • Directly recording without an amp, as done in Motown, captures natural drive and compression, crucial for the vintage tone.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Adding foam at the bridge and using flatwound strings are recommended modifications to achieve a classic Motown bass tone.

    Source
  • Rolling the treble completely off and boosting mids with a foam mute under the strings can significantly enhance the Motown thump on a P bass.

    Source
  • The addition of a B7K Ultra v2 in the FX loop is favored for independent tone shaping and distortion without affecting the overall signal chain.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • LaBella flatwounds at .50-.110 gauge are considered the "holy grail" for classic tones but are less playable compared to the more versatile .45-.105 size.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note that letting your strings age without changing them contributes to an authentic Jamerson sound, as he was known for using old strings.

    Source
  • Owners of the Acme Low B-2 cabinet praise its clean, flat response, especially for 5-string basses, noting its ability to deliver hi-fi quality sound.

    Source
  • After extensive gigging, one owner found the Origin Effects Bassrig super vintage DI with its 8x10 cab simulator sufficient, rarely needing additional amps.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Radial Bassbone OD offers a versatile setup with multiple inputs, piezo mode, tuner out, HPFs, and a 3-band EQ with mid-frequency selection.

    Source

Critic Reviews

ACME Audio: Motown D.I. WB-3 | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 shines with its ability to recreate the iconic, warm "Motown-y" sound of vintage recordings. Praised for its authentic tonal characteristics, it excels in delivering that sought-after throwback vibe, making it a standout for those dedicated to retro music styles. However, its specific sound profile might not be versatile for all recording situations. While it pairs well with certain gear like the Ampeg Portaflex, it may not suit every setup. For enthusiasts of classic soul and bass tones, the WB-3 is a must-have, albeit at a premium price of $400.

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5.0 out of 5

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kevin Parker uses Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3

Kevin Parker

Singer, Guitarist

Tame Impala

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen on the THE SLOW RUSH video at around the 1:30 mark beside the API Lunchbox.

See how Jake Kiszka uses Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3

Jake Kiszka

Guitarist

Greta Van Fleet

...
Verified via YouTube

At 30:15 they are talking about it.

See how James Jamerson uses Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3

James Jamerson

Bassist

The Funk Brothers

...
Verified via Vintageking

During Motown’s heyday, a major technical component of “The Detroit Sound’ was the direct input box (DI). Designed by a young Motown audio engineer in the early 1960s, the musicians plugged straight in and achieved a distinct, colorful distortion that would become recognizable all over the world. The DI box was adopted by such Motown greats as James Jamerson Sr., Dennis Coffey and Bob Babbitt, who defined the sound of a generation with their soulful playing and crisply captured notes.

See how Nicole Row uses Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3

Nicole Row

Singer, Bassist

Panic! at the Disco

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, you can see the Motown D.I next to her pedal board

See how Sam Kiszka uses Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3

Sam Kiszka

Bassist, Keyboardist

Greta Van Fleet

...
Verified via YouTube

Kiszka can be heard talking about the DI at around 6:05 minute mark in Premier Guitar's rig rundown. He also talks about the DI in 2021 Guitar World interview.

My main sound is the Acme Motown DI tube interface, which Al Sutton makes. It’s fantastic; it puts the sound of the bass right in the spot where you want it. It sits back enough, but you can hear all the intricacies of the tone. We run that into a silver 1964 Fender 50-watt Bassman for a little more growl. You don’t have to crank it at all.

See how Haruomi Hosono uses Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3

Haruomi Hosono

Singer, Bassist

Yellow Magic Orchestra

...
Verified via Photo

In a 2022 Instagram post by hosonoharuomi_info, Haruomi Hosono is seen with the Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3, suggesting its use during his solo live performance preparations.

Album Usage

The Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Acme Audio Motown D.I. WB-3, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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R

rabblehotchpotch

Gear IQ 147

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