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Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 Passive DI Box

DI Box with Vintage-replica Input Transformer, 1/4" in and Thru Jacks, and Variable Attenuation
Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 Passive DI Box
$449.00
36 months
Special Financing – Ends Sep 30, 2025
$13/month with 36 month financing*
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Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 Passive DI Box
In Stock!
$449.00
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The Legendary Motown DI

Want to infuse your music with the Motown sound? Sweetwater has a box for that. The Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 is a re-creation of the in-house-designed direct boxes used for electric guitar and bass at Motown Records starting in the early 1960s. This is what drove the legendary Motown sound. It's the sound of James Jamerson, Dennis Coffey, Bob Babbit, Robert White, Joe Messina, and the other largely unsung (and uncredited) musicians collectively known as the Funk Brothers, Motown's legendary in-house rhythm section. Bring the sonic quality and character of Hitsville USA to your music with the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3.

The sound that launched a thousand hits

Plug into the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 and get the distinctively crisp, warm, and colorful sound that defined a decade of Motown hits. Re-created by Acme Audio using the original Motown engineering schematics, the WB-3 incorporates modern updates such as optimized variable attenuation for high-level inputs, a vintage-replica input transformer, and a rugged custom steel case. You'll find that the Motown DI improves sound quality, delivering the cleanest, purest sound possible in a sub-optimal acoustic environment. Get the sound that launched a thousand hits: the Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3.

Acme Audio Motown DI WB-3 Features:

  • Re-creation of the original Motown DI box
  • Designed from the original Motown engineering schematics
  • Uses 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

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Passive Direct Box
  • Channels: 1
  • Pads: Variable Attenuator
  • Ground Lift: Yes
  • Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (parallel)
  • Outputs: 1 x XLR
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Motown DI WB-3

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Reviews

Rated 5/5
Acme Audio Motown DI WB 3 Passive Box
I love the unit so much I bought 2 - So far I have only used it on Bass Guitar Recordings - I am running it through a Chandler Redd Pre-Amp - Then into a StaLevel Compressor - Chandler EQ - Empirical Labs Fatso - Great Sound. I am looking forward to running guitars through these units starting next week.
Music background: Singer / Songwriter / Guitarist / Keyboards / Engineer / Producer
Rated 5/5
Hands down Motown sound
I'm a tone chaser. I play everything from metal, punk, jazz, and blues. I love that Motown sound and the reason I bought this di. Besides getting that Motown sound it's simply an amazing sound di. I use it on bass and guitar and wowza. If you want a quality di at a decent price, this is it!
Music background: Studio/session rat
Rated 5/5
Bass Magic
I've only used this in the studio direct to my daw while using the second 1/4" jack parallel out to my mic'd SVT, so I can't really speak to its other uses. Bass tracks sound full, warm, and round. Listening to it on its own isn't really where this shines, but when you sit it in a mix: perfection. Added bonus is it makes a fantastic re-amp box too! It's pricey but you won't be disappointed, you'll get some grade A bass tracks that'll make you smile.
Rated 5/5
Well worth the money!
I'm a semi-retired professional bass player in Nashville but still play at least 4-shows a week downtown. This pre amp is amazing as it not only helps get that "Nashville" sound but it totally evens out the response of my basses across all 5-strings. My band loves it, the sound guys love it, I love it, and the audiences...well they think we sound better than ever but are mostly clueless as to why (no surprise there).

This was recommended to me by a studio bassist who says that not only it was amazingly helpful to his live tone, but that the studio engineers just love what this pre amp does to his tone/signal when recording. I haven't used it in the studio yet, but can say that on my gigs where we just use in-ears as sound reinforcement (no PA), my bass sounds 100x's better in my and everyone else's ears. Good evidence of what a recorded track might sound like.

This is a good piece of gear
Music background: Semi-retired pro bass player
Rated 5/5
Warmest Tone I've Ever Gotten out of a Digital Setup
I just bought this thing for recording electric bass. I'm running it into an Apogee Duet 3 and then into an iMac with Logic Pro. I have to say the tone is pretty sweet. It's easily the warmest, most natural tone I've ever been able to get recording direct like this. If you're after that old school tube warmth this does an amazing job.