Motown EQ

$6,500.00 Price Tier: High-end

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jun 20, 2026

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We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 3, 2026.

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5.0 (1)

$6,500.00

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Average Price: $6,500

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$501+

Price Tier

In the Effects Processors category, Motown EQ is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Motown EQ". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 30, 2026.

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Description

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Discover the Motown EQ, a faithful revival of the legendary 1960s equalizer that defined the sound of Hitsville, USA. Crafted with precision by Acme Audio, this EQ captures the essence of Motown's iconic hits, blending vintage charm with modern reliability. The 7-band equalizer mirrors the original's unique design, featuring meticulously recreated components that ensure authentic sound reproduction.

Designed with the discerning audio engineer in mind, the Motown EQ boasts a transformer-balanced circuit with AMI A24 input transformer and Mesanovic custom output transformer, delivering unparalleled depth and clarity. The passive equalization circuit adheres closely to the proprietary Motown design, allowing for precise control over your soundscape. Every inductor, capacitor, and transformer adheres strictly to period-correct specifications, ensuring a smooth, warm sound without any hint of distortion.

Whether you're aiming to recreate the rich sound of Motown classics or carve your own sonic path, the Motown EQ provides the flexibility and authenticity you need. Its rugged all-aluminum chassis ensures durability, while the rotary switches facilitate precise parameter settings and easy recall. With a frequency response of 10Hz–30kHz and a noise-reducing external PSU, the Motown EQ is designed to elevate your studio recordings to new heights.

Key Features:

7-band equalizer inspired by the Motown classic
Frequency bands: 50Hz, 130Hz, 320Hz, 800Hz, 2000Hz, 5000Hz, 12500Hz
+/-8dB of boost/cut per band
Transformer-balanced circuit with AMI A24 input transformer and Mesanovic custom output transformer
Custom Mesanovic Moly permalloy powder-core inductors
Op-amp Labs 425 output amplifier, True to the original
Additional 2520 footprint available for user-specified op-amp
29dB maximum level
Frequency response: 10Hz–30kHz (+/-1dB)
External PSU for low noise floor
Rugged all-aluminum chassis

Product specs

Brand	Acme Audio
Model	MTEQ-1 Motown EQ
Finish	Silver
Year	2024 - 2025
Made In	United States
Categories	Equalizers
Electronics	Analog, Solid State
Format	19-inch Rackmount
Number of Analog Inputs	1
Number of Analog Outputs	1
Number of Channels	1
Number of Digital Inputs	0
Number of Digital Outputs	0
Number of Headphone Outputs	0
Number of MIDI Inputs	0
Number of MIDI Outputs	0

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Acme Audio MTEQ-1 Motown EQ?: The Acme Audio MTEQ-1 Motown EQ is designed to emulate the classic Motown sound, offering a punchy and open tonal quality that was characteristic of the legendary Hitsville recordings.
Is the Acme Audio MTEQ-1 Motown EQ suitable for modern music production?: Yes, the MTEQ-1 is versatile enough to enhance both vintage and contemporary music productions, providing a unique tonal color that can add depth and character to any mix.
How does the Acme Audio MTEQ-1 Motown EQ differ from other equalizers?: Unlike standard equalizers, the MTEQ-1 is specifically designed to recreate the iconic sound of Motown records, using analog solid-state electronics to deliver its distinct tonal characteristics.
What type of connectivity does the Acme Audio MTEQ-1 Motown EQ offer?: The MTEQ-1 features a single analog input and output, designed for integration into a 19-inch rackmount setup, making it ideal for studio environments.
Is the Acme Audio MTEQ-1 Motown EQ easy to install in a studio rack?: Yes, the MTEQ-1 is a 19-inch rackmount unit, allowing for straightforward installation in standard studio racks, making it a convenient addition to your audio processing setup.

Videos

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Sound On Sound magazine

Acme Audio Motown EQ - NAMM 2022

Sound On Sound magazine

New At NAMM 2024: Acme Audio Motown EQ Graphic Equalizer

Vintage King

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Motown EQ.

Use cases and applications

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The Motown UAD EQ is preferred for broad stroke learning of ranges, offering a balance between simplicity and musicality.
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Comparisons

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The Motown EQ is seen as less surgical than SSL or API but not as simple as Pultec or Neve, making it versatile for different mixing needs.
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The Kazrog True 252 is an emulation of the classic Motown EQ, Langevin EQ 252A, and is praised for its performance alongside the Nomad Factory's updated All-Tec EQs v2.
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The UAD Massive Passive EQ is frequently used for mastering, especially on the mix bus, and is noted for introducing subtle saturation, adding a distinct character to mixes.
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The Motown EQ is compared to the Langevin 252A; both are based on the same passive EQ circuit, offering smooth, broad curve adjustments ideal for mastering.
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Features and functionality

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Users appreciate the Motown EQ for its unique range learning capabilities, which help in understanding EQ adjustments without relying heavily on visuals.
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Nomad Factory's updated V2 version of their EQ comes with a VU meter, which is rare for analog emulation EQ plugins.
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0 0

The AMEK 200's interface can be challenging due to limited zoom capabilities, making it less user-friendly compared to other EQs like the Curve Bender and Manley.
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Value and pricing

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The Nomad Factory Retro EQs Bundle v2 is available for $30, offering significant value for those interested in both the All-Tec EQ and Pulse Tec EQ.
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User experience

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Users often favor the AMEK EQ 250 over the EQ 200 for its superior sound quality, despite both models being appreciated for their sonic characteristics.
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Software and compatibility

0 0

The UAD and Softube versions of the Curve Bender are noted to share the same code, with the high shelf being particularly praised for its clarity.
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Josh Kiszka

Singer, Keyboardist

Greta Van Fleet

Verified via Soundonsound

Used for vocals on Anthem of the Peaceful Army, as stated by mix engineer Al Sutton in this January 2019 Sound on Sound interview.

"As I mentioned earlier, I recorded lead vocals with the U67, but did not send that through the API. Like for the bass I instead used the Acme Audio MTP?66 pre, and then a Neve 33609 for some compression and an Original Motown EQ if EQ was needed. MTP stands for Motown Tube Direct Preamp, and the Acme is a unit that I built, and sell. Motown used to have a small, five-channel input box, called the Motown Five Channel Guitar Direct Amplifier, that's coveted by tons of people, and the Acme is a single-channel version of that, with a mic pre added. I got all the schematics from Mike McLean, who was the chief maintenance engineer at Motown during the 1960s, and who did a great job in designing it. You can hear it on all Motown stuff, particularly guitars and bass from 1966 on. The Acme MTP?66 is all-tube, and the preamp sounds really open, with a classic fixed-gain design on the mic pre and DI."

Manny Marroquin

Audio Engineer

Verified

“When I EQ, I’m looking to do something creative rather than just ‘clean up.’ That’s when I go for one of my six go-to EQs: SSL 9080 XL K for its high and low pass filters; Quad 8 or Neve 1073 for the low end; Quad 8 or Motown for lows/low mids; Motown, 1073 and API 550B for mids/high mids; and Avalon 2055 for its silky high end.