Buzzpreneur of the Month- Ben Horne, Immersive Studios
by Angela Kerr
I met Ben Van Horne for the first time via a Facebook post where he concisely let me know that he was a sound engineer willing to work with bands to achieve great sound. I was impressed with his approach which thoroughly described skill set and willingness. I decided to make arrangements to observe him in action at a performance and once there realized this was a young entrepreneur to watch. After almost a year of observing Ben in multiple locations and applications I am convinced he is. What made him remarkable in my eyes was a dedication to the musician – as he is one – and his calm, cool and collected approach to his work. Customer satisfaction is without a doubt a cornerstone of his business model. To a musician this is a significant collaborator with a tremendous amount of experience to offer.
Ben created Aureus Audio to achieve his ultimate in life….participation in the music business. A Denver native who graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a focus of sound engineering, he is in demand and works joyfully as a matter of course.
Ben’s roles are varied and many. In addition to taking on live sound engineering, he works with Immersive Studios in Boulder as a sound engineer, has his own home studio and contributes to a three piece band named Wrywood.
He was so busy with projects and the support of the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, this interview was conducted in question and answer format via internet:
CMB: When did you realize that music was your chosen path in life?
Ben: I think I have always known that music was my path. It has always been a major part of my life and always will be, regardless of the role it plays.
CMB: You are a jack of all trades currently, giving time to Aureus Audio, Immersive Studios, and your band Wrywood. Tell me – how do you do it?
Ben: I just do. The bottom line is, I don’t waste much time. I am always trying to keep my momentum going in the direction I want it to. It makes for a busy life, one that is certainly lacking in the sleep department, but in the end it is all worth it. I am doing what I love, and what I am supposed to be doing. That alone is motivation enough to just keep on trucking.
CMB: Talk to me about your role at Immersive Studios.
Ben: Prior to finishing school, I came to the realization that in order to achieve my goals as a Sound Engineer, I would need a studio to work out of that fit my needs. Starting as an intern at Immersive, I learned all that I needed to know to start bringing in artists for various projects. Immersive is now my home base when it comes to recording. I work there as a freelance engineer and as a staff engineer when there is a need. It is by far one of the best studios in Colorado, so I am stoked to have the opportunity to call it my home.
CMB: Tell me about WryWood – how did you get the name, who is in the band, what instruments does each member play and how do you ever find time to practice and perform?
Ben: Wrywood is the brain child of guitarist/singer/songwriter Adam Blair. He has a boatload of original material that we are currently refining as a trio. Adam plays guitar and sings, Josh Fuson plays drums/percussion and I play bass. Our music is a blend of acoustically driven folk and rock with a bit of a darker edge. We are set to take the stage in the very near future so check us out at reverbnation.com/wrywood to keep up with our current happenings.
CMB: Tell me about the current projects you are involved with.
Ben: I am in the process of mastering an EP that I produced, recorded, and mixed for a local singer/songwriter named Kelli Alissa. I also just started a project with the Driftin’ Suns recording a theme song for the Own It Mastermind Series. Outside of Wrywood, I am continually working on my own original material as well as producing songs for a Folk/Electronic project called Beatmunx. Soon I will be on the prowl for my next recording project so let me know if you are in need!
CMB: What are your goals for the remainder of 2014 and beyond?
Ben: I really am just trying to stay present in everything I do. My aspirations are endless. My belief is that if one focuses on producing nothing but positivity, life works itself out rather seamlessly. At the end of the day, all I want to do is positively affect everyone and everything that I am involved with. Music is the tool that I have been given in order to do just that, so that is what I am going to do.
Should you require a top notch professional in sound engineering Ben is your man. You may reach him at: stereofreq247@gmail.com www.immersivestudios.com
Category: Buzzworthy
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