Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences
The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences is located in Tempe, Arizona. This school has been providing vocational training for three decades. Students who choose to attend the Conservatory get the benefit of small class sizes and individual attention.
Since the Conservatory focuses its attention on providing training in the field of sound only, students who are enrolled in the Master Recording Program II get a good foundation in sound recording technology.
This program runs for a total of 42 weeks. The first 30 weeks are spent in the classroom, and all students must complete a 12-week internship to graduate. The internships are available in the major urban center of the student’s choice.
Each person enrolled in the program receives a laptop when they begin classes. The computer comes loaded with a number of music software programs for students to use. The school uses a CRAS Connect Web interface to provide students with valuable information. They can check out a syllabus for every class they are enrolled in, as well as a glossary of terms, Wiki and a networking hub.
Class Size and Schedule
Students enrolled at the Conservatory attend classes for four hours per day on Monday-Friday. Additional hours are scheduled on either Saturday or Sunday. Classes start every three weeks, and a maximum of 12 students are enrolled in each session.
Curriculum
The curriculum offered by the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences includes the following topics:
- Acoustic Theory & Facility Design
- Advanced Recording & Production Procedure
- Advanced SSL Tracking, Overdubbing, & Mixing Clinics
- Audio for Video Games
- Automated Consoles
- Basic Principles of Sound
- Basic Recording Techniques
- Basic SSL Signal Flow Lab
- Commercial Production Techniques & Project
- Computer Based Audio Applications & Compatibility Issues
- Copyright
- Critical Listening
- Digital Studio System
- Digital Technologies Integration for Audio
- Dynamic Processor Application
- Equipment
- Fundamentals of Digital Audio
- Introduction to Advanced Music Business
- Introduction to Music Business
- Microphones & Microphone Techniques
- Music Production
- Post Production Theory, Techniques & Project
- Publishing & Music Income
- Record Label Contracts
- Record Labels
- Recording Lab
- Reference Monitor & Amplifier Instruction
- Session Etiquette & Procedures
- Songwriting Contracts
- Solid State Logic Console and Computer Theory & Application
- Sound Digital Audio Production Techniques
- Sound Reinforcement
- Studio Ownership, Record Production
- Synchronization Systems
- Tape Machine Calibration & Alignment
- Time Based Processor Method
- Trademarks, Recording Engineer Contracts
- Troubleshooting/Maintenance
The program also includes a career management component, where students learn how to write a resume that showcases their skills and abilities and interview techniques.
During this phase of the program, students also gain knowledge about internships and what is expected of them during this part of their training.
The internship counts as six credit hours toward the 41 credit hours required to graduate.
How to Apply to the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences
The Conservatory accepts applications from prospective students online. Once the application form has been received, the prospective student will be contacted by phone for an interview.
If the person is accepted into the program, he or she must pay a deposit before being assigned a start date for the program. Once the deposit has been paid, a Student Planning Coordinator works with the student to work out the details of relocating to Arizona to attend classes.