campuses

THE CRAS CAMPUSES ARE fun and exciting placeS to BE

At CRAS, students split their time between two individual campuses, located in Gilbert and Tempe, both of which feature industry driven facilities. These facilities include several recording studios, a live sound venue, fully equipped classrooms and more.

Gilbert Studio A

Our flagship recording environment, Studio A features an SSL 4000 Series console, the industry standard “large format board.”

During the day, Studio A is used for classes and band clinics. At night, it can be reserved for individual projects, giving students the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test in a real-world studio-recording environment.

Gilbert Studio B

Studio B is where students get their initiation into the concepts and mechanics of large format recording consoles.

The Studio B SSL Origin console is particularly suited to help students understand and learn the variety of challenges they will face in today’s varied, professional audio environments.

Gilbert Studio C

CRAS Studio C offers a medium sized space that is perfect for recording drums, a band or even a small orchestral ensemble.

Studio C features an API Legacy Plus console, 24-track analog tape recorders and a range of outboard gear. API Legacy consoles have been a standard for generations of engineers who have used them to record artists as diverse as the US Army band to the Shins and Morrissey.

Gilbert Studio D

Post production surround sound for film, and video game audio is taught in CRAS Studio D, a production environment centered around integrating music, effects and sounds into various media.

Studio D features the same audio monitoring system as studios like Skywalker Sound and Chase Productions. And is the only school where students can learn Audiokenetic WWISE software – the standard of the video game industry.

Gilbert Studio E

Studio E, or the Broadcast Center, is the newest studio addition at CRAS. Broadcast Audio focuses on the opportunities and workflows and technologies that are specific to live television broadcast.

Students will gain an extensive understanding of the important role that communications systems have and get hands on experience with the industry standard RTS line of communications products, including configuration of the system using AZ Edit software installed on their laptop computer.

Mobile Broadcast Unit

Our 42’ Mobile Audio Unit is a hands-on environment where students gain an extensive understanding of the important role that communications systems play in the broadcast industry.

As the Mobile Audio Unit is deployed at real, live music and professional sporting events, students learn and gain confidence about the intricacies and on the spot decision-making required of a broadcast engineer.

Live Sound Venue

In our purpose-built Live Sound Venue, students are given instruction and hands-on training on large line array speaker systems. They also learn how to use software to tune and manage these systems in their various environments.

The CRAS Live Sound Venue features professional lighting and staging. Covering 6,000 sq/ft, the Venue’s audio centers around the L-Acoustic Kudo System — the same system that is set up in the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, Hard Rock Live in Orlando and Resurrection Life Church in Grandville, Michigan.

Mixdown Lab

Each of the CRAS Mixdown stations is a complete “studio-unit” featuring a mixer, with advanced routing and signal processing, busses, aux sends and grouping functions.

These workstations also include a selection of processors, gates, limiters and a patch bay. Like all CRAS facilities, the Mixdown labs are open 24/7 so students can practice and learn at their own pace.

Gilbert Mic Locker

The CRAS mic locker rivals and even exceeds the variety of models and types found at many major recording studios.

Microphones are the “ears” of the recording process. Large and small condenser, dynamic, ribbons… At CRAS, students learn about and use a broad selection of the most sought after and widely used studio and stage microphones.

Tempe Campus

Tempe Studio A

Our flagship recording environment, Studio A features an SSL 4000 Series console, the industry standard “large format board.”

During the day, Studio A is used for classes and band clinics. At night, it can be reserved for individual projects, giving students the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test in a real-world studio-recording environment.

Tempe Studio B

Studio B is where students get their initiation into the concepts and mechanics of large format recording consoles.

The Studio B Neotek Elite console is particularly suited to help students understand and learn the variety of challenges they will face in today’s varied, professional audio environments.

Tempe Studio C

CRAS Studio C offers a medium sized space that is perfect for recording drums, a band or even a small orchestral ensemble.

Studio C features an API Legacy Plus console, 24-track analog tape recorders and a range of outboard gear. API Legacy consoles have been a standard for generations of engineers who have used them to record artists as diverse as the US Army band to the Shins and Morrissey.

Tempe Studio D

Post production surround sound for film, and video game audio is taught in CRAS Studio D, a production environment centered around integrating music, effects and sounds into various media.

Studio D features the same audio monitoring system as studios like Skywalker Sound and Chase Productions. And is the only school where students can learn Audiokenetic WWISE software – the standard of the video game industry.

Tempe Studio F & G

Studio F & G are two “mirrored” control rooms that share a common recording space.

In studios F & G CRAS students go beyond their regular intense training and learn how to deal with the everyday roles and responsibilities of a high-traffic production facility. The goal in Studios F & G is to build students’ working confidence, helping them to excel in the field after graduation.

Pro Tools Lab

Pro Tools is the industry-leading recording software program and can be found in every studio, live venue or post house.

CRAS has been teaching students the ins and outs of Pro Tools since 1993 and was the first audio recording school to be an authorized Pro Tools training center. CRAS currently offers six tiers of Pro Tools certifications, ensuring its graduates are ready to roll.

Digital Lab

In addition to class time, students can reserve time in the CRAS digital lab for after-hours sessions, further honing their skills or to work on projects. The lab is set up with individual workstations giving each student maximum “seat time.”

The digital lab is equipped with a variety of electronic instruments, which can interface with your Laptop Recording Package.

Tempe Mic Locker

The CRAS mic locker rivals and even exceeds the variety of models and types found at many major recording studios.

Microphones are the “ears” of the recording process. Large and small condenser, dynamic, ribbons… At CRAS, students learn about and use a broad selection of the most sought after and widely used studio and stage microphones.


Schedule a tour

If you are interested in taking a tour of CRAS, schedule an appointment in advance with an admissions representative by calling 1-800-562-6383 or filling out the form below.