The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS), the premier institution for audio engineering education, recently partnered with Focusrite Pro for a webinar in which 89 CRAS students learned an understanding of RedNet and Dante software. This event is a continuation of Focusrite’s and CRAS’ long-standing partnership designed to help inspire the next generation of audio professionals as they prepare to join the industry post-graduation.
“There are two end-goals of the RedNet Certification course,” explained Peter J. Tilley, Education & Post-Production Sales Manager, Focusrite Pro. “The first being to ensure anyone using a Focusrite Pro product understands the full potential of the hardware. The second, and main end goal for students, is to help those who do not yet use Focusrite Pro or Dante gain a better understanding of how it works. My hope is that being able to add ‘RedNet Certified’ to these students’ resumes will give them an advantage when applying for jobs in the field.”
The RedNet Certification course covered Focusrite Pro’s Red, RedNet, and ISA hardware, each compatible/integrable with Audinate’s Audio Over IP software, Dante. Tilley discussed the technologies being used, and the unique experience multiple engineers could have with the same piece of hardware. Lastly, the course explored Focusrite’s RedNet Control software and how it works in conjunction with Dante Control, Dante Domain Manager, and any other Dante program that may also be in use.
“When we first started conducting webinars after the COVID-19 shutdowns last year, no doubt like most other companies we viewed it as a temporary way to keep active until we were back up and running again,” Tilley continued. “Naturally, we weren’t expecting to still be doing them nearly a year later, though they have truly become an integrated part of our workflow. I’d imagine even years from now when COVID has settled into its place in history that we’ll still be doing webinars. They are a fantastic way to reach people that may not otherwise get to participate in a seminar or trade show event.”
Focusrite Audio Engineering has pioneered professional audio recording technology spanning almost three decades. Focusrite Pro, the company’s professional and commercial division, meets the demands of recording, post-production, live sound and broadcast professionals. It consists of RedNet, a fully modular audio-over-IP solution, and the Red range, Focusrite’s flagship multi-format interfaces, along with the heritage ISA range of microphone preamplifiers and analogue signal processors. The solutions have been developed to meet the needs of the most demanding applications through a relentless focus on ease of use, quality and reliability. Focusrite is based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, with offices in Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
“Anytime we offer the Focusrite Pro Rednet Certification Classes to CRAS students, they always jump at the opportunity,” said David Kohr, CRAS Instructor/Event Coordinator
and Faculty Advisor – AES Student Section. “The Focusrite Pro Rednet Certification Classes are absolutely incredible and CRAS students love to get those types of accomplishments under their belts. Peter Tilley is a great instructor and an excellent host for the webinars. We can’t thank him and Focusrite Pro enough for providing these opportunities that allow them to continue their education outside of the classroom with these optional certification classes and I highly recommend that other educational facilities reach out to schedule the webinars for their students, as well.”
On completion of the webinar, those students who passed the certification test received an official certificate and digital badge reflecting their success. They have also been invited to join Focusrite’s exclusive private LinkedIn group for certified industry professionals and students in order to network.
“I love CRAS,” Tilley concluded. “They were an early adopter of our very first ‘Intro to Dante’ webinar series, which was similar to the Core RedNet Certification though it focused more on what Focusrite Pro products and Dante are, opposed to how they work. It helps that I enjoy what I do, though when I see CRAS on the calendar I know that it’s going to be an engaging session. Not only does CRAS carry the record for highest turnout for each series we’ve done, they tend to always have well thought-out questions, as well. You can tell it’s not just ‘a class’ to these students…they’re hungry for information and that will serve them well.”
The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences is composed of two nearby campuses in Gilbert and Tempe, Ariz. A CRAS education includes broadcast audio, live sound, film and TV audio, music, and video game audio, all taught by award-winning instructors who have all excelled in their individual fields, including sound reinforcement, audio recording and production, digital recording, troubleshooting/maintenance, and music business.
CRAS structured programs and highly qualified teaching staff provide a professional and supportive atmosphere, which is complemented by its small class sizes allowing for individual instruction and assistance for students in engineering audio recordings. CRAS has been providing quality vocational training in audio recording for more than three decades. The curriculum and equipment are constantly being updated to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the music and sound recording industries. CRAS’ course offerings and subject matter have always centered around the skills and knowledge necessary for students’ success in the audio recording industries.
The 11-month program is designed to allow every student access to learn and train in all of the Conservatory’s studios which are comprised with state-of-the-art audio recording and mixing gear, the same equipment used in today’s finest studios and remote broadcast facilities, including Pro Tools 12, API Legacy consoles, SSL AWS consoles, Studer Vista consoles, and much more. All students must complete a 280-hour industry internship to graduate from the Master Recording Program II that may ultimately lead to industry employment.
