Rate My Professor Bill Crabtree

Prior to his academic career, Crabtree spent 25 years as a freelance audio engineer handling records, live sound, and audio for video projects. He is an accomplished musician, performing on drums and percussion for numerous recordings, and has produced a wide range of studio projects encompassing music recording, sound design, and music composition for artists and corporate clients. Additionally, he has worked as a technical writer, including creating user manuals for API equipment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Crabtree pioneered a remote teaching solution by transforming four MTSU recording studio control rooms into multi-camera, high-definition virtual classrooms. This setup incorporated Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro video switchers to manage feeds from three iPhone SEs routed through a Mac Pro, with Zoom integration and ListenTo software for high-resolution audio streaming separate from Zoom's standard audio. This innovation supported real-time demonstrations, small-group hands-on practice with graduate assistants, and maintained high student performance on exams, proficiency tests, and near-perfect attendance in fall 2020. Crabtree has also contributed to student experiences through study abroad trips and professional engagements such as curating AES Inside Track events.