Warm Audio’s Ben Thompkins Recently Visited the School and Participated in Recording Sessions, and Then Lead a Q&A Discussion with CRAS’ Audio Engineering Society Chapter
Gilbert, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2021 – Using top shelf equipment during recording sessions is great for pro audio students. Having the equipment manufacturer present to teach them about the gear they are using and various aspects of the music industry is invaluable.
The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS; www.cras.edu), the leading institution for audio engineering education, recently welcomed Warm Audio to its Gilbert, Ariz. campus to lead a discussion with the CRAS Audio Engineering Society chapter. The event was headed by Ben Thompkins, Vice President of Global Sales for Warm Audio/512 Audio.
“Throughout the day, I joined CRAS students for recording sessions, which included use of the new Warm Audio WA-8000 microphone,” explained Thompkins. “We had a great time recording with the WA-8000. It was recently launched on October 5, so it was still very new and it was the first time I had heard the microphone utilized with a saxophone…and it sounded amazing.”
In the evening, Thompkins discussed Warm Audio and participated in a Q&A with the students about the company, its products, and the industry. “CRAS students engaged in an amazing dialogue,” Thompkins said. “They had a ton of great questions and provided fascinating perspectives on Warm Audio and the music industry.”
Added Madeleine Upshir, CRAS student and current CRAS AES President, “Warm Audio is opening up the future of audio by making professional gear accessible to students and creators who before could only dream of getting their hands on quality gear. The 512 package has been a great addition to our gear here at CRAS to give students everything they need to get a running start in the world of professional audio.”
The CRAS laptop package, which it provides to its students, includes a 512 Audio Skylight large diaphragm condenser microphone, 512 Audio Academy headphones designed for critical listening for creating and recording, and a Warm Audio cable.
“Having Ben Thompkins come to CRAS and participate with some classes to discuss the WA-8000 was both inspirational and educational for our students,” said David Kohr, CRAS AES Faculty Advisor. “We all love it when he visits, especially when he brings gear for us to check out. We’re also excited about our partnership with a subsidiary of Warm Audio, 512 Audio. The Skylight microphone looks cool and sounds great. 512 Audio is a perfect edition to the CRAS laptop package.”
CRAS student Colby Ames enjoyed the event and pointed towards the fact that Warm Audio is making cost effective products. “I like how they are taking these vintage mics and outboard gear and making them available to the public at affordable prices.”
Warm Audio was founded in 2011 to build products that are sonically equal to renowned products of the past, but also to make them affordable to the everyday musician and recording engineer. 512 Audio is a recently launched subsidiary of Warm Audio delivering professional microphones and audio gear built for today’s at-home musicians, podcasters, YouTubers, and content creators.
“The Warm Audio microphone is great quality…it is definitely dependable and reliable,” said CRAS student Mieko Wallace.
CRAS student Nicholas Edgett explained that mics are one of his favorite things in the world, much less a great sounding one. “Some of my favorites are the Warm Audio mics due to the fact that the quality is superb while the price point is great, as well. When I heard that Warm Audio created the brand 512 I was excited to try out the new equipment, and I must say, they do not disappoint, especially at this price point.”
Thompkins concluded that CRAS has been an amazing supporter of Warm Audio, and with the addition of the 512 Audio brand, they are proud to further their relationship with CRAS. “CRAS is a top-notch institution,” he concluded. “Their students walk away well prepared for a career in the music industry. I’ve seen many students work on huge projects and have ended up hiring or working with more than 20 alumni over the years.”
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.
For more information on the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, please visit www.cras.edu, contact Kirt Hamm, administrator, at 1-800-562-6383, or email to [email protected].
For more information on Warm Audio and 512 Audio, please visit www.warmaudio.com and www.512audio.com
About The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences
Based in the heart of The Valley of the Sun with two campuses in Gilbert and Tempe, Ariz., The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS) is one of the country’s premier institutions for audio education. The Conservatory has developed a unique and highly effective way to help the future audio professional launch their careers in the recording industry and other related professional audio categories.
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