Nub News is uncovering potentially Crewe's "best kept secret," a professional recording studio close to the centre of town, able to nurture the musical talents of all ages.

Arena Recording Studio, based at The Warehouse Unit 3, off Middlewich Street, has been operating in Crewe for around 15 years.

Run by professional music producer, teacher and musician of over 35 years, Chris Cragg, Arena Recording Studio offers a premier recording studio, as well as guitar lessons and singing tuition.

Arena Recording Studio, based at The Warehouse Unit 3, off Middlewich Street, has been operating in Crewe for around 15 years (Photo: Ryan Parker).

Chris told Nub News: "Someone once said to me 'this place is Crewe's best kept secret.' It is a shame it is like that, because the more people that get on the professional music journey, the better.

"Nowadays, people are unsure with what they want to do and I really feel for them. I was very lucky to find music very early on.

"Arena Recording Studio can give young people a creative outlet they can put focus into, where they can write and play a song, giving them a sense of purpose, motivation and wellbeing.

"I try and give the younger generation the motivation to develop their skills more, such as getting their songs put out as records. I also tell them to never stop and keep playing no matter where they are.

"I have customers who have been with me for 15 years, with people coming here from the ages of seven to 90."

Chris, originally from Northwich, moved to Crewe in 2001 after meeting love of his life, Anne, from the town while gigging both solo and in various bands.

The Arena Recording Studio founder said: "I have always taught over the years, but had started teaching from home in Northwich and then in Crewe when I moved here.

"I wanted to expand my wings with the tuition, so the natural progression was to open a studio in Crewe.

"I teach the singing because I sang professionally for years with a lot of session work and also played guitar, which I still do to this day.

"I felt I had reached the point in my life where I had a lot of experience and life lessons to pass on to the next generation on playing guitars, singing, recording and music production.

Chris Craggs' Arena Recording Studio offers a premier recording studio, as well as guitar lessons and singing tuition (Photo: Ryan Parker).

"Over the years I have worked with a lot of local bands and had a little dabble with Welsh heavy metal band, 'Budgie,' where I had played guitar for them.

"The most successful singer I have worked with is X-Factor winner Shayne Ward. He used to come along to watch me gig and when he went on X-Factor I took his place in his three-piece band called 'Destiny."

"It was great to work with Shayne, we recorded a little EP at my shed studio, which I built in my garden in Crewe before setting up Arena. We have worked together a lot over the years and still stay in touch."

Arena Recording Studio works with a number of local artists, from rock, pop and indie to rap.

Chris said: "I am working with local bands and artists to record stuff. One of them is 'Acrylic,' who also go out under the name of 'These Towns' for their original work.

"They have been coming in for a few months to record their new album. I also have local rapper, known as 'Blasta Boss,' originally from Africa, who records here. He is an absolute master at working in a studio and smashing tracks.

"A lot of recording is down to experience more than anything. There are some great bedroom producers out there, but they come here to learn a higher level of music production.

"That comes from understanding music theory, the equipment, microphone placements, preamps, gain staging and all this kind of stuff.

"It is about knowing the right things to do when coming into a studio. A lot of bedroom producers tend to work with trial and error.

"I just have a set formula where I know exactly what microphone to put where and when and how you go about it.

Musicans from the ages of seven to 90 have used Arena Recording Studio (Photo: Ryan Parker).

"Experience is crucial in this industry. It takes a good 10 years of know-how to learn to mix and produce a radio-ready record. It is a relentless journey to train your ears.

"I have been in this industry all my life. I never judge people for their abilities, everyone is on a musical journey with some at different stages as others.

"Going in a professional studio just gives you the best value for money with engineers and producers. I don't know of many professional tutors in the area.

"This is my living as a professional guitar player, singer and producer. I do think there is a market for this without a doubt, and I like to pass on my knowledge to others in here."

The Arena Recording Studio offers three studios, with Chris fully equipped for all musical needs.

Explaining the process of Arena Recording Studio for a musician, Chris said: "If we had a solo singer visiting us, they would had already sent to me a brief of what they want to do with their tracks upfront and bring in backing tracks they had already purchased.

"I would then import the tracks in to my recording systems, using music software Pro Tools and Lunar side-by-side. Depending on what the project involves, I would usually use Pro Tools for tracking and Lunar for mixing.

"We would have all the lyrics printed off and the singer would have already heavily rehearsed, so they know every detail of the song and are actually singing the lyrics from memory rather than reading them.

"I would put up two microphones, do a test record and within a matter of minutes work out which microphone best suits their voice and then go through three or four takes.

"I would then compile the vocals, which creates a master vocal from all the versions, and then autotune it if they wished [optional].

Local band, 'These Towns,' also known as Acrylic, are producing their new album at Arena Recording Studio (Photo: These Towns).

'With my experience, I know in a matter of five minutes how they are going to work so I can get out a professional-quality sound for them.

"I am a big believer in making sure that everything someone is practising is as effective and efficient as possible, so that they reap the rewards in the shortest possible time.

"There are flaws with people learning guitar lessons, vocals or music production on YouTube. They don't know what they are originally doing is the correct method.

"Face-to-face, I have the visual control to ensure their techniques are all correct and everything is in the correct place. To me 'perfect practise makes perfect.'

"My job is to problem solve for each individual and put a select set of exercises/routines in place to eliminate their issues. You can then see their abilities progress from there, which really gives me a buzz."

Arena Recording Studio offers tuition, Monday to Thursday, from 12pm to 9pm, with Chris keeping Friday to Sunday free for mixing and producing for music artists.

To get in touch with Arena Recording Studio, email [email protected], contact its social media channels or message Chris on 07973 892957.

READ MORE: Lee Bell 'really proud' to celebrate three years as Crewe Alexandra manager.

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