Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (CRAS)

CRAS (Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences) is a private audio engineering school with two campuses in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area (Tempe and Gilbert). Founded in 1988, it offers a single program: the Master Recording Program II, a 43.5-credit certificate lasting 48 weeks, including 36 weeks of on-campus instruction and a 12-week internship. Tuition is $20,559 for the entire program. CRAS is best suited for students who want a fast, intensive, hands-on audio engineering education focused on recording, mixing, live sound, broadcast, and post-production, with no interest in a traditional multi-year degree.

Program and Curriculum

CRAS offers one program: the Master Recording Program II (MRP II). It is 43.5 credits, taught over 48 weeks. Classes meet Monday through Friday for four hours per day, with additional hours scheduled on weekends.

Music Production I (MP100, 8.5 credits)

Introduces basic principles of audio recording and music production. Covers sound principles, signal flow, microphones, mic placement, dynamics, large format consoles, and the full recording process. Students complete guided and individual studio projects. Emphasis is on training for an entry-level position as an assistant engineer.

Music Production II (MP200, 9 credits)

Covers the Solid State Logic 4000 E/G+ series console and computer. Includes theoretical console study, pre-production, tracking, overdubbing, and mixdown sessions. Students practice signal flow through application classes and clinics. Advanced recording and mixing clinics use analog and digital recording mediums with automation. Also introduces post-production and commercial production for film and television.

Music Production III (MP300, 1.5 credits)

Covers hybrid console technologies using the SSL AWS948 console and Pro Tools. Students engage in tracking, overdub, mixing, and mastering clinics with a producer in the room. Includes classes on personal networking, budgeting, and job interview techniques for internship preparation.

Multimedia Technologies (MT100, 4 credits)

Covers surround sound, audio for video games, and live broadcast audio. Students learn surround recording and mixing, encoding and decoding for multiple delivery formats (video games, Blu-Ray). Audio for video games uses Audiokinetic's Wwise audio engine, an industry standard used by major game companies. Live broadcast audio training uses the Studer Vista mixing console and RTS AZ Edit configuration software.

Audio Business I and II (AB100 and AB200, 2 credits total)

Covers the music industry overview: copyright law, publishing and song income, contracts, record production, record labels, scams and dangers, personal finance. AB200 goes deeper into songwriting and recording contracts, trademark law, career planning, interview techniques, and industry etiquette.

Core Technologies (CT100, 4.5 credits)

Covers the technical foundations of audio equipment, signal processing, and digital audio theory.

Internship (12 weeks)

After completing the 36-week on-campus portion, students complete a 12-week internship at an approved audio industry facility. CRAS assists with internship placement.

Admissions and Tuition

Tuition (2024 to 2025)

The total program cost is $20,559. This covers the full 48-week program including the internship phase. CRAS estimates additional living costs at approximately $22,056 for off-campus students.

Financial Aid

CRAS is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and participates in federal financial aid programs. Available funding options include:

• Federal grants and loans (FAFSA)
• Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan for Career Training
• Veteran's Administration educational benefits (GI Bill)
• Interest-free in-school payment plan through Nelnet Campus Commerce
• CARES Act grants and HEERF II grants (where applicable)

Admissions Process

CRAS operates on a rolling admissions basis. Prospective students submit an application and complete an interview with admissions staff. No prior audio experience is required, but applicants should demonstrate aptitude and motivation. CRAS recommends touring the campus before enrolling.

Campus and Facilities

CRAS operates two campuses in the Phoenix metro area:

• Main campus: Tempe, Arizona
• Satellite campus: Gilbert, Arizona

Both campuses are built around professional recording studios with large format consoles (SSL, Neve, API), Pro Tools HDX systems, and outboard gear from Neumann, Universal Audio, and Telefunken. Facilities include post-production suites, live sound reinforcement rigs, and broadcast audio simulation rooms.

CRAS is strictly in-person. There is no online program. The school's marketing explicitly states: "Success Starts Here. In Person. Not Online."

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

CRAS is one of the few US schools that focuses exclusively on audio engineering across multiple disciplines. The 48-week timeline means you can complete the program and start working in less than a year, compared to a 2-year associate degree or 4-year bachelor's degree. At $20,559 total, the cost is lower than most university audio programs while covering more ground.

The curriculum covers five audio career paths: music recording, film and TV sound, live sound, broadcast audio, and video game sound. This breadth matters because the audio industry is not just music studios. Game audio and broadcast are growing fields with more job openings than traditional recording studios.

The SSL 4000 E/G+ console training is a genuine differentiator. Many professional studios still use SSL consoles, and understanding the signal flow of a large format analog console translates to digital mixing workflows. CRAS is one of the few schools where you get sustained hands-on time with this equipment.

The 12-week internship is built into the program. CRAS has relationships with recording studios, post-production houses, and live sound companies, and the internship often leads to first job opportunities.

Potential Drawbacks

CRAS offers a certificate, not a degree. The Master Recording Program II is not an associate or bachelor's degree. If you want a degree for career flexibility or graduate school eligibility, this program will not provide that. Credits may not transfer to a university.

The program is in Arizona. If you want to study in a major music industry city (Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, London), CRAS is not there. The Phoenix metro area has a local music scene, but it is not an industry hub. Your industry connections will come from the internship, not from the campus location.

The $20,559 tuition covers the program, but living costs in Phoenix add approximately $22,056. Total cost of attendance is around $42,000 for one year. This is cheaper than a 4-year degree but still a significant investment for a non-degree certificate.

CRAS teaches audio engineering, not music production in the creative sense. If your goal is to become a beatmaker, electronic music producer, or recording artist, the curriculum is focused on the technical side of capturing and mixing sound, not on creative composition and production. You will learn Pro Tools and signal flow, not Ableton Live and sound design.

The school's insistence on in-person only education means you must relocate to Arizona. There is no remote or hybrid option. Verify that you can afford the relocation and living costs before applying.

Visit the official CRAS website for application details, campus tour scheduling, and financial aid information.

Related Resources

• Music Schools Directory - Compare CRAS with other music schools
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