HUM Audio N-Closure 6 (Frame + 6 modules) is a complete six-channel analog processing system — an 11U housing with six N-Strip modules factory-installed, ready to operate out of the box. Each module is electronically identical to the N-TROPHY console channel strip: a discrete Class-A preamp on Jensen JE990 opamps (0–66 dB gain), a switchable input transformer, a THD stage with five saturation types, a tube optical compressor on an ECC88 tube, a 6-band passive EQ with HPF/LPF on rotary switches, an insert loop with Dry/Wet Blend, and an output trim with source selector. All signal routing is relay-switched with gold-plated contacts throughout. Six channels in a single housing handles drum recording (overheads, toms, kick, snare), full instrument sections, and any multi-channel session requiring uniform character across all channels. Hand-built in Poland.
Six identical signal paths — consistency across multi-channel recording
The Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamp based on the flagship RP-2 topology delivers 0–66 dB of gain in 12 stepped positions; microphone input impedance is 3.5 kOhm, line is 10 kOhm, Hi-Z exceeds 1 MOhm; 48V phantom power and phase inversion are available per input type. An optional input transformer (X-FORMER) engaged via relay between the preamp and EQ adds subtle harmonic enhancement at low frequencies. The THD stage (Germanium, Silicon asymmetrical; Soft/Medium/Hard symmetrical) covers the range from gentle analog warmth through deliberate drive. The ECC88 tube optical compressor with continuous Comp→Lim morph, Dry/Wet Blend, and stereo link between adjacent channels is ideal for overhead pairs and any stereo source; the tube can be bypassed independently from the compressor. Sidechain options include an internal HPF, KEY1/KEY2 external inputs, and AUX 7+8 as global sidechain buses. The 6-band passive EQ with separate Boost and Cut per band and switchable Peak/Shelf on HF and LF, combined with HPF/LPF on rotary switches, delivers fully recallable, matched EQ across all six channels. Processor order (Preamp/EQ/Comp/Insert) is relay-configured independently per channel across six permutations — each channel can carry a different processing chain simultaneously.
Rear panel and system integration
The N-Closure 6 rear panel provides a full complement of XLR and combo sockets for each of the six channels: a global KEY input for external sidechain, insert send/return XLR, and a channel line output with a selectable tap point — after the preamp or after full channel processing. The per-channel line output with source selector and level trim allows routing to a DAW interface at any point in the signal chain — pre- or post-EQ, compressor, and insert. A Sifam VU meter per channel displays Post Gain, Gain Reduction, Trim, or Input mode. Each channel has a 100mm stepped motorized fader on fixed resistors, identical to the N-TROPHY. The housing's built-in power supply drives all six ECC88 tube compressors simultaneously. The full six-channel system fits in 11U of rack space and operates as a self-contained front-end for any audio interface or DAW.
KEY FEATURES
- Complete system: 11U housing + 6 N-Strip modules factory-installed
- 6 identical Class-A signal paths — uniform character across multi-channel sessions
- Discrete Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamp Jensen JE990, gain 0–66 dB, 12 positions per channel
- 48V phantom power; phase inversion; Tape input 0/+6/+12 dB per channel
- Switchable input transformer (X-FORMER) per channel
- THD Stage: 5 saturation types (Germanium, Silicon, Soft, Medium, Hard) per channel
- Tube optical compressor ECC88 with Comp→Lim morph, Dry/Wet, stereo link per channel
- Stereo link between adjacent channels — ideal for drum overheads and stereo source pairs
- Independent tube bypass per channel
- Sidechain: internal HPF, KEY1/KEY2, AUX 7+8 as global sidechain buses
- 6-band passive EQ with separate Boost/Cut; switchable Peak/Shelf on HF and LF per channel
- HPF and LPF 6 dB/oct with frequency selection on rotary switches per channel
- Insert XLR with Dry/Wet Blend per channel
- 6 configurable processor orders per channel (independently relay-switched)
- Sifam VU meter: Post Gain / GR / Trim / Input per channel
- Output Trim with source selector and level control per channel
- 100mm stepped motorized fader per channel (identical to N-TROPHY)
- Rear panel per channel: KEY XLR, insert in/out XLR, channel line output
- Selectable output tap: after preamp or after full channel processing
- Built-in AC power supply supporting all 6 modules with ECC88 tube compressors
- Hand-built in Poland
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: complete 6-channel system — 11U housing + 6 N-Strip modules
- Signal path: discrete, Class-A, balanced, relay-switched throughout
- Preamp: Jensen JE990, gain 0–66 dB (12 steps)
- Input impedance Mic: 3.5 kOhm; Line: 10 kOhm; Hi-Z: above 1 MOhm
- Maximum input level: +22 dBV
- Phantom power: 48V per channel
- Input transformer: switchable (X-FORMER)
- THD Stage: 5 types (Germanium, Silicon, Soft, Medium, Hard)
- Compressor: opto ECC88, continuous Comp→Lim morph, Dry/Wet, adjacent-channel stereo link
- Sidechain: internal HPF, KEY1/KEY2, AUX 7+8
- EQ: 6-band passive, separate Boost/Cut, switchable Peak/Shelf on HF/LF
- HPF/LPF: 6 dB/oct, frequency selectable on rotary switch
- Insert: balanced XLR, Dry/Wet Blend
- Processor order: 6 relay-switched configurations per channel (independent)
- VU meter: Sifam per channel, Post Gain / GR / Trim / Input
- Fader: 100mm stepped motorized (fixed resistors)
- Rear panel per channel: KEY XLR, insert in XLR, insert out XLR, channel line output
- Output tap: selectable after preamp or after full channel processing
- Housing size: 11U rack
- Power: AC mains, built-in supply supporting all 6 modules with ECC88 tubes
- Production: hand-built, Poland
