Motown pre amps

[norburybrook]

Anyone got any details of the pre amps used in Motown studios in Detroit back in the heyday specifically the bass one if it's any different?

I'd really like to build something for the studio that can give the Jameson sound with a P Bass. I think it's possible the guitars used the same pre amps too as they were all D.I's as well.
I know Jameson used and Ampeg live but all the studio recording were direct from the pre amp which I think was monitored through and altec Lansing speaker.


TIA


Marcus

[modman]

You want to look at this: http://www.audiomastery.com/interview1.php
An interview with Bob Ohlsson, who was at Motown from 1964 onwards.

[Stevem]

It's not any one thing in the recording signal , but if I had to give credit to one thing that lent the most to his tone it would be the Bass guitar itself, the strings he used and first and foremost his playing style!

Preamp wise thought my bet would be on a Pultec preamp on the mic.

In the late 60s live he used a Kustom brand amp with 2-15".

[Bombacaototal]

Hi Marcus,

There is some info here. I went through this rabbit hole when I was into bass

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-re ... mp.854013/

Also build those 2 bad boys

Best,

Rafael

[norburybrook]

thanks. I've got a lovely original 1960 burgundy mist P bass with Flats on it

I think it's actually the DI that's the magic peice of gear as it had UTC transformers which added some low end according to Bob and it's then through some light compression and slightly overdriving the board/tape.



I shall read the links. Cheers guys.

M

[MakerDP]

A little research points to it not being as much in the chain as it is in the fact that the main guy there was a disciple of the Fletcher-Munson Curves.

Here is a snippet of something to try:

If you want something exciting and punchy sounding on rock or soul, use it. If you want high fidelity on classical or beautiful music, don't use it. If you're going to use it, boost your 4000 cycle eq as much as possible until it begins to sound thin. When it begins to sound thin, back off the 4000 cycle eq about 2 to 3 db and you'll get all the benefits of all the mid range punch without it sounding thin.

( from https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much ... chain.html )

That thread has a little bit of info on the "Motown Sound." Apparently they either made a lot of their own equipment or they bought and modified what was available.

[Synchu]

Read the title and almost fell off the chair. There must be something either in the air or astral thing going on.

I've been on the same subject in the past month or two (and even bought a P Bass to complement my lonely 70-ies frankesteined beyond recognition Ibanez Roadstar).

Most agree that besides 90% being James, his technique and bass guitar used the other half (pun intended) is the Motown equipment used.
There are clones of the DI used (just picked the first link Google put up - https://vintageking.com/acme-audio-motown-d-i-wb-3), but they are commanding a hefty price for what is basically a transformer and a pot.
The transformer used is (said) to be as close to the original as possible since due to regulations the latter cannot be exactly reproduced.
It is said that the whole mojo is coming from this guy that cannot be possibly replicated:
https://images.app.goo.gl/unrnx7LUNTWEygED6

However, I'm planning to purchase some vintage transformer (definitely not Triad - I build amps that cost me less) and do some trials. I am not expecting miracles, but should be fun.

Niki