The Conservatory rings in the new year by issuing Apple MacBook Pro laptops for the first time since starting the laptop program two years prior. Shown here are students in the 1/8/2010 start date receiving their new MacBook Pros at the computer orientation class. Prior to 2010 CRAS issued MacBook computers which have been an amazing performer for students and faculty. The change to the MacBook Pro was in part necessary because Apple discontinued the use of the Firewire interface on the latest iteration of the MacBook model. Firewire is a protocol commonly used in professional audio for connecting computers with a wide range of audio interfaces. Firewire also allows the computer to be used in target disk mode, which lets the computer act as a battery powered hard drive for troubleshooting and file transfers. Like the MacBook before it, the MacBook Pro will serve CRAS students well both at school and into their career. Check out more photos of the first class using the MacBook Pros here.

Once Conservatory students reach the halfway point of their studies, students with a B or better grade average in the Digital Recording 101 course are offered the opportunity to gain Apple’s Logic 9 level 1 end user certification. The Conservatory picks up the cost of the book and the certification test which is over a $200 value. The new Apple Pro Training Series Logic 9 level 1 certification book just started shipping this month and CRAS has just issued its first set of books to qualifying students. Students work through the book on their issued MacBook computers which have Logic 9 pre-installed.  By the time participants start working with the book they’ve already had extensive exposure to Logic and their path to certification is further supported through CRAS Connect, the Conservatory’s online system that is available to enrolled students. The Logic 9 course on CRAS connect offers quick connectivity to any of the Conservatory’s three Apple Logic certified instructors including one that was the technical editor on the certification book and leads the Logic Train-the-Trainer classes that all Logic certified instructors must attend. Having an Apple certification in Logic  helps Conservatory graduates stand out in the competitive field of audio production.

Fox Sports Senior Mixer Fred Aldous recently invited some CRAS students and staff out to their production facility during a NASCAR race at Phoenix International Raceway.

SSL users were among the majority of nominees and winners at the recent 36th annual “American Music Awards” (AMAs). The star studded event was broadcast live on ABC from the NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles and featured 43 artists and projects competing in 23 categories, with 60% of the nominees and 74% of the winners using SSL consoles to create their hits. SSL users who were nominated include: Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Coldplay, Daughtry, Enrique Iglesias, J. Holiday, Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Kanye West, Kenny Chesney, Lil Wayne, Mamma Mia, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, MercyMe, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Rhianna, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, The Dream, Usher and Wu-Tang Clan.

“The Conservatory’s SSL studios and classes focus on real world applications and its great to see that the AMAs reflect how strong SSL’s products are in the industry,” says Director of Education Mike Jones. “SSL is one of the few, if not the only company that has maintained a consistent look and feel throughout their product line. If you start on an SSL 4000 Series console, you can easily understand and operate an AWS 900+ or Matrix from their current line.”

photo caption: Students setting up for a session on the SSL 4000+ in Studio A at the Conservatory’s Gilbert location

photo caption: Nickelback is just one of the touring bands employing CRAS grads

Our MRPII grads have done very well for themselves. The list of CRAS attendees below have gone on to their internships and then been hired to work on major tours or with live sound companies.

On Tour
Jeremy White, PA Tech – Aerosmith, Snoop Dogg, Nickelback
Wayne Newton, FOH engineer – Aerosmith, Snoop Dogg, Nickelback
Alex Rotelle, PA Tech – Aerosmith, Snoop Dogg, Nickelback
Nathan Lettus, Crew Chief/V-DOSC engineer – Chicago
Matt Strasser, PA Tech – Chicago
Armando Montalvo, PA Tech – Nickelback

Working at PRG Las Vegas
Adam Parrish – Operations Mgr.
Cory Harrington – Shop Mgr.
Mitch Sorenson – Assistant Shop Mgr.
Marian Mast – Inbound/Outbound Asset Coordinator
Bruce Kilmer – Speaker Quality Control

Congrats to all of you, keep up the good work

Check out this great video chronicling a very special session where the Beatles’ engineer Geoff Emerick records And Your Bird Can Sing with the Fab Faux.

The CRAS has christened a brand new program that will give students an impressive set of tools to work with during their education, and after they venture into the workplace. Starting December 14 2007, new students will be given a 13″ MacBook laptop, M-Audio Fast Track Pro, M-Powered Pro Tools Academic, Logic Studio, Waves Certification bundle, Sennheiser 815 S-X microphone and Sennheiser EH150 headphones as part of their enrollment package. Over two years in planning, the program will integrate the laptop and gear into the 30 week on campus program using CRAS Connect, an online component used for testing, communication, online texts, glossaries, networking and much more.

“We’re excited to put the tools for study and exploration in their hands 24/7, and tying it all together with a strong web element,” says Administrator Kirt Hamm. “The package we put together represents the best software and hardware manufacturers in audio.” When fully implemented, both locations will have over 500 active Pro Tools and Logic rigs on campus.

Thissnappy looking audio tool for Nintendo DS allows the user to load .wav files or live audio and then manipulate the audio’s pitch, generate wireless MIDI, downsample, and scratch via the stylus.

We like to keep in touch with all our grads and we recently got news that 1997 grad Norman Matthew’s band Never Enough (aka N3V3R 3N0U6H), has just been signed by Corporate Punishment Records. The band consists of Eighteen Visions’ guitarist (and ex-Throwdown vocalist/ Death by Stereo guitarist) Keith Barney, Drummer Trevor Friedrich, and Vocalist/Guitarist Norman Matthew. To see and hear what the band is up to, check out their Myspace site.