Audio Engineer
Growing up in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, majoring in business in college, who would have predicted he would earn multiple Grammy recognitions for his achievements in the music industry as a sound engineer, songwriter and connector of music artists?
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Ben Thomas (BT) was born and raised in New York City until moving to Philadelphia with his family, just before his high school years.
CHILDHOOD
While BT liked to read books and play neighborhood sports, he was always interested in music.
EDUCATION
While attending Germantown Friends School (sponsored by ‘Quakers’ known more formally as ‘The Religious Society of Friends’), BT was an above average student, especially proficient in classes involving business, keyboarding, math and music.
During high school, BT met his now-mentor Brandon Jones, the school’s then assistant athletics director and varsity basketball coach. When BT majored in business at Temple University, it was Jones who convinced him to change course and pursue music full-time.
“When you combine passion and work ethic with a skill set like Thomas’, the result is what you see today,” noted Jones.
AUDIO ENGINEERS – ABOUT
An audio engineer is responsible for recording, mixing and mastering sound for a variety of media productions, including music albums, films, television shows, video games and live events. These professionals work closely with artists, producers, directors and other creative individuals to achieve the desired sonic quality and artistic vision for a project. They use a combination of technical expertise, creative flair and specialized equipment to capture and manipulate sound elements, ensuring clarity, balance and acoustic cohesion.
Audio engineers may specialize in various aspects of sound production, such as recording, editing, sound design or live sound reinforcement. They may work in recording studios, post-production facilities, broadcasting companies, concert venues, or freelance settings, depending on their area of expertise and career goals. A career as an audio engineer offers opportunities for creativity, technical innovation, and collaboration across a wide range of industries, contributing to the immersive and engaging audio experiences enjoyed by audiences worldwide.
COLLEGE MAJOR NEVER A BINDING CAREER COMMITMENT
After deferring a job offer from a major accounting firm, BT started a make-shift studio inside the basement of his mother’s home. This is where hip-hop artist Chill Moody began working with BT.
Never taking up the accounting firm’s offer, BT met Lil Uzi Vert through their manager and became his dedicated sound engineer for over the next three plus years.
BRANCHING OUT FROM A NARROW CAREER PATH
BT recently expanded his skills-set to pursue audio mixing and song-writing, which has led to collaborations with the likes of Justin Bieber, Bryson Tiller, Jazmine Sullivan and Meek Mill. Or in other words, “the stuff that’s getting national attention, like the big stuff,” as Moody puts it.
For BT, “It’s just me planting a lot of seeds.” He likes to think he is just “doing me, and that some of the stuff I’m doing is winning. But I also don’t want to be complacent. It’s important to get on the new wave as it changes.
When DJ Don Cannon met BT through Uzi, he was immediately struck by how BT studied the business and evolved as an audio engineer. “He was never late and his ear was always tuned for today’s work. It’s something a lot of people would look past,” the Generation Now label cofounder said. “And unlike most engineers and producers, BT didn’t smoke or drink.. he used to watch Jeopardy in his free time!”
An audio engineer and producer, BT is partly a curator and a connector. He has linked Philadelphia’s biggest artists and helped craft their solo or collaborative projects. And through his work with Uzi and other local artists, BT has turned the once-regional Jersey club sound into one also helmed by Philly artists, and opened doors for emerging musical talents.
CAREER SATISFACTION
As of early 2024, BT has earned eight Grammy nominations for his ‘achievements in the music industry.’
While BT continues to perfect his craft and pursue songwriting ventures, he wants to put the same energy toward community service and engagement, especially for young ‘students of color’. Along with opening the doors of his Kensington recording studio to local artists, BT mentors young students who are a part of GettingtheMAXoutoflife, a community-based program run by life coach and motivational speaker Maxwell Brown.
“I think BT has qualities that will make him one of the greatest producer-engineers of all time across all genres,” Moody proclaimed.
And while BT is happy to receive the recognition and he’s hopeful Uzi’s name gets called on Grammy night, awards are not a source of motivation for him; it’s community itself. “It’s not a one-person show over here,” he said. “There’s a lot of support that allows me to shine and I’m very thankful for everybody.”
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This career story is based on multiple sources including a news article written by Earl Hopkins, published by the Philadelphia Inquirer on January 7, 2024 plus internet research including careerexplorer.com.
