HUM Audio N-TROPHY (Analog Console — Center Section) is the standalone master section of the N-TROPHY console, available as a self-contained unit without channel strips — fully functional as a stem summing hub, mastering processor, and studio monitor controller without requiring the full console. At under 65 cm wide, it integrates into any control room. The Center Section can sum up to 16 XLR line inputs directly to the group buses without channel strips, making it a standalone analog summing matrix and mastering center. Combined with HUM Audio's LAAL mastering limiter, it forms a complete analog stem mastering system. All signal routing is implemented with relay switches using gold-plated contacts throughout.
Analog master bus with mastering-grade tooling
A tube optical master compressor running NOS Mullard tubes — widely regarded as among the finest-sounding tubes produced — with switchable internal or external sidechain is the first active processor in the main mix chain. An original 6-band passive master EQ with HPF/LPF on rotary switches ensures fully recallable, perfectly matched settings across sessions. The processing order within the main mix chain is configurable: Insert Matrix (three external insert slots, slot 1 with Dry/Wet Blend), Compressor, EQ. An M/S matrix with freely assignable encoder and decoder positions can be placed at any point in the processing chain — before or after the compressor, EQ, and inserts. A stereo width module on the main mix, identical to the one in the LAAL mastering limiter, allows continuous stereo width adjustment without external processors. Four stereo group buses (stems) each carry their own inserts with Dry/Wet Blend, stereo width, 8 mono aux sends, and external XLR inputs for summing additional sources.
Monitoring, automation, and DAW integration
Passive monitoring with a 256-step relay-switched volume control handles four monitor pairs and Main Phones, each with independent mute switches. Four Class-A headphone amplifier outputs are available both on the Center Section panel and on the console patchbay. A Talkback section with level control and send switches to stereo aux pairs is included. Moving fader DAW automation supports up to 32 faders with no software required on the console side — automation curves are drawn directly in the DAW, and the N-TROPHY fader scale matches the Pro Tools scale exactly. A built-in TC Clarity M Stereo Analyzer features selectable source (analog/digital), selectable analog input level, and the option to use it as a virtual analyzer via USB. The zero-loss Summing Matrix is based on Jensen JE990 discrete opamps with each channel connected directly — no traditional long summing bus compromise. Power supply runs at +/-24V with a dedicated double-shielded toroidal transformer acting as a power conditioner.
KEY FEATURES
- Standalone N-TROPHY Center Section — under 65 cm wide, fully functional without channel strips
- Sums up to 16 XLR line inputs directly to group buses (no channel strips required)
- Tube optical master compressor on NOS Mullard tubes (internal or external sidechain)
- 6-band passive master EQ with HPF/LPF on rotary switches (full recallability)
- 3-slot Insert Matrix with Dry/Wet Blend on slot 1 — configurable processor order
- M/S matrix with freely assignable encoder/decoder at any point in the processing chain
- Stereo width on main mix (same module as LAAL) and on all 4 stereo groups
- 4 stereo group buses (stems) with inserts (Dry/Wet Blend), stereo width, 8 aux sends, XLR inputs
- 8 Aux Returns with Volume/Pan; 8 Aux Masters with HPF/LPF
- Passive monitoring with 256-step relay-switched volume control
- 4 monitor pairs + Main Phones with independent mutes
- 4 Class-A headphone outputs — on panel and patchbay
- Moving fader DAW automation up to 32 faders; fader scale matches Pro Tools
- Built-in TC Clarity M Stereo Analyzer (analog/digital source, USB virtual analyzer)
- Talkback with level control and switches to stereo aux pairs
- Zero-loss Summing Matrix on Jensen JE990 discrete opamps
- All routing via relay switches with gold-plated contacts throughout
- Power: +/-24V, double-shielded toroidal transformer
- Combined with LAAL: complete analog stem mastering system
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: standalone Center Section / analog summing matrix and mastering hub
- Summing inputs: up to 16 XLR line inputs (direct to group buses, no channel strips required)
- Main mix processors: Insert Matrix (3 slots, slot 1 with Dry/Wet), Tube Optical Compressor, 6-band Passive EQ
- Master compressor tubes: NOS Mullard
- M/S matrix: encoder/decoder freely assignable to any point in the processing chain
- Stereo width: on main mix + all 4 stereo groups (same module as LAAL)
- Stereo groups: 4 stems with insert (Dry/Wet), stereo width, 8 aux sends, XLR inputs
- Aux: 8 Aux Returns with Vol/Pan; 8 Aux Masters with HPF/LPF
- Monitoring: relay-switched 256 steps, 4 monitor pairs + Main Phones, 4x Class-A headphone outputs
- Automation: moving fader, up to 32 faders, DAW-controlled (fader scale = Pro Tools)
- Analyzer: TC Clarity M (analog/digital/USB virtual)
- Summing: zero-loss matrix, Jensen JE990 discrete opamps
- Routing: relay switches with gold-plated contacts throughout
- Power: +/-24V, double-shielded toroidal transformer
- Width: under 65 cm
- Production: hand-built, Poland
