Waterbear Sheffield Campus
Gatecrasher Building Facilities
Explore our state-of-the-art facilities and detailed technical specifications at Gatecrasher, our Sheffield HQ, as well as our citywide partner studios.
Facilities for Independent artists and musicians
WaterBear Sheffield is based in the Gatecrasher Building on Eyre Lane and Arundel Street in the city centre, on the site of the iconic Gatecrasher nightclub. Our facilities provide everything you need to develop as a modern musician: Mac suites, a professional recording studio, rehearsal and performance spaces, and dedicated teaching rooms. As a college run by professional musicians, we know what gear you need: vintage and modern amps, analogue and digital equipment, giving you the best of both worlds.
Beyond our on-site facilities, you’ll also access professional recording studios across Sheffield including Spring Tank Studios, Studio Tecna (Self Esteem, Reverend and the Makers), Hybrid3 with custom-built equipment, and also MU Studios for our MA courses. You’ll also perform at working music venues across the city, including Corporation, a live music venue for pre-production and live performance workshops. Plans are also underway to open our own music venue in Sheffield.
Throughout your studies, you’ll receive free bookable access to our internal and our Sheffield partner recording and rehearsal facilities. Whether developing your own material or collaborating with other musicians, our facilities support every stage of the creative process, from songwriting and pre-production to tracking, mixing, and live performance.
Music production facilities
Facilities by Department in Sheffield
Facilities for drummers
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Tama Tru Touch drum kit bookable at HQ during non-teaching times
- Main/Live Room (Eyre Lane): Full band rehearsals and live tracking with professional drum kit
Partner Venues:
- Corporation (8-minute walk): Drum lessons taught at venue with 6 Tama Tru Touch kits, 2 British Drum Company kits
- Citywide live performance opportunities
Partner Studios (Free Bookable Access):
- Hybrid3, Studio Tecna & Spring Tank Studios: Rehearsal and practice rooms bookable, drum kits available
Facilities for Guitarists
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Teaching Room 1 (Eyre Lane): Guitar lessons with Boss Katana amps (one per student), Vox and Supro valve amps
Partner Studios (Free Bookable Access):
- Hybrid3, Studio Tecna & Spring Tank Studios: Rehearsal and practice rooms bookable, guitar amps, guitars available on request
Partner Venues:
- Corporation: 3 Victory guitar heads, 2 Marshall 4×12 cabs, 1 Victory 2×12 cab, Vox combo amp, Fender acoustic guitar, 2 Boss guitar pedal boards
- Citywide live performance opportunities
Facilities for Bassists
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Teaching Room 1 (Eyre Lane): Bass lessons with Ampeg bass amps (one per student)
Partner Studios (Free Bookable Access):
- Hybrid3, Studio Tecna & Spring Tank Studios: Rehearsal and practice rooms bookable, bass amps
Partner Venues:
- Corporation: Ampeg bass head and cab, Fender Jazz bass guitar, Darkglass bass pedal board
- Citywide live performance opportunities
Facilities for producers
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Sheffield Recording Studio (Eyre Lane): SSL 8-channel mixer, Warm Audio outboard, Universal Audio Apollo X8P
- Mac Suite 1 & 2 (Eyre Lane): 14 iMacs and 16 MacBook Pros with Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools
- Production teaching delivered at HQ
Partner Studios (Free Bookable Access):
- Studio Tecna & Hybrid3: Professional mixing desks bookable for production work, Pro Tools/Logic Pro/Ableton Live, mixing and mastering services
Facilities for songwriters
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Teaching rooms (Eyre Lane and Arundel Street): Songwriting and music theory classes
- Main/Live Room (Eyre Lane): Performance workshops and collaborative songwriting
Partner Studios (Free Bookable Access):
- Studio Tecna: Spacious live room for songwriting and recording
- Hybrid3: Rehearsal rooms for songwriting sessions
Partner Venues:
- Corporation: Live venue for performance development and events
- Citywide live performance opportunities
Facilities for Vocalists
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Teaching Room 1 (Eyre Lane and Arundel Street): Vocal lessons
- Main/Live Room (Eyre Lane): Performance workshops with professional PA and microphones
Partner Studios (Free Bookable Access):
- Hybrid3, Studio Tecna & Spring Tank Studios: Rehearsal and practice rooms bookable with PA systems, microphones
Partner Venues:
- Corporation: Live performance training with professional PA, Shure SM58 microphones, full backline venue
- Citywide live performance opportunities
Facilities for DJs
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Sheffield Recording Studio (Eyre Lane): Pioneer CDJ 3000s (×2) and Pioneer DJM A9 mixer, bookable during non-teaching weeks
Partner Studios (Free Bookable Access):
- Spring Tank Studios: CDJs in dedicated DJ practice areas
Partner Venues:
- Corporation: Live performance workshops
- Citywide gigs and events
Facilities for Music Business
On-Site at WaterBear Gatecrasher HQ:
- Teaching Room 1 (Eyre Lane and Arundel Street): Music business seminars, industry sessions, lectures and workshops
- Common Room (Arundel Street): Networking and informal study
Partner Venues:
- Corporation: Live venue access for understanding venue operations and live music business
- Citywide gigs and events
Teaching and Industry Masterclasses
Teaching/Instrumental room – Eyre Lane
Multi-purpose teaching room for lectures, seminars, workshops, and instrumental lessons. Equipped with projection facilities and specialised gear for guitar and bass tuition.
Core Capabilities:
- Attend lectures, seminars, and industry masterclasses
- Learn guitar technique with individual Boss Katana amps
- Develop bass skills with individual Ampeg amplification
- Study in small groups with expert instrumental tutors
Key Equipment:
- Projector and screen for presentations
- Boss Katana amps (one per guitar student)
- Ampeg bass amps (one per bass student)
- Vox and Supro valve amplifiers
- Range of guitar and bass effects pedals.
Teaching Room – Arundel Street
General classroom for seminars, lectures, and industry sessions. Accessible layout with projection facilities supports group learning and presentations from industry professionals.
Core Capabilities:
- Attend seminars, lectures, and music business workshops
- Participate in industry masterclasses with guest speakers
- Engage in group discussions and theoretical learning
- Study music theory, songwriting, and industry practices
Key Equipment:
- Projector and screen for presentations
- Accessible classroom seating
- Standard AV equipment
Live Performance and networking
Gatecrasher Teaching & common room
Combined student community hub and teaching space. The common room provides social and informal study areas, while supporting group work and flexible learning sessions. Students from different courses and years mix here, sharing ideas, forming bands, starting collaborations, and building the professional networks that often last entire careers.
Core Capabilities:
- Socialise and build community with fellow students
- Study informally and collaborate on projects
- Attend group work sessions and teaching in flexible space
- Network and form creative relationships with peers
Key Equipment:
- Standard AV equipment for teaching
- Flexible classroom seating
- Kitchenette facilities
- Social seating and work areas
WaterBear facilities
Partner Venues and Recording Studios
Through our city-wide partnerships, you’ll have free bookable access to recording and rehearsal facilities, plus extensive opportunities to perform live in working music venues across Sheffield. These partnerships give you access to world-class professional equipment and expertise, alongside local networking and work experience opportunities.
MU Studios
MU Studios, located in Nether Edge, is Sheffield’s premier recording, mixing, and mastering studio, providing bands, artists, and songwriters with the perfect environment to create their best-sounding music. Many renowned bands and artists from Sheffield and beyond have recorded there, including Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley.
Our Music Departments
As a musician and artist, your environment and community are key to your growth. We provide creative learning spaces, expert teaching, and world-class facilities to help you thrive.
