Our Story
Ears Up was born from the need for custom audio workflows and physical prototyping in the world of themed entertainment, but it didn’t start there.
Matt and Mark met as graduate sound design students at UC Irvine, where they were frequent collaborators. After graduating, they each worked for multiple clients and design firms, but weren’t finding employer that shared their creative values or truly understood the need for theatrical practices and training. So in 2016, they took the leap and made their partnership official. With the support of family and friends, the Ears Up studio officially opened in 2017, and they welcomed their first clients just a few months later.
Since then, they’ve had the pleasure of working with clients all over the world on projects ranging from ad spots to stadium tours and major themed attractions.
Our Process
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We begin each project by diving into its creative intent and practical requirements like acoustics, loudspeaker layout, and show systems. Every element of a soundtrack is produced to integrate seamlessly into the space.
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Our studio is uniquely purpose-built for prototyping complex spatial designs. While problem-solving during an installation is inefficient, prototyping allows for a thorough exploration of the creative and technical aspects of a soundtrack before the content goes to site.
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With a thorough understanding of the materials, our designers can smoothly transition to site to mix content and manage its integration. Prototyping during production not only saves valuable time for our site team but ensures an unforgettable sonic experience for guests.
Our Team
Matt Glenn
Owner / Producer / Sound Designer
Matt first learned about sound design from the special features of the Lord of the Rings trilogy DVDs. Little did he know that this early love would lead to two degrees and design projects across twelve countries (and counting!) Matt loves to use his training in music and vocal performance to create sound effects with a distinctly musical character. You’ll rarely find him without quick access to a recorder and has been known to remove essentials from his luggage in order to ensure that he can bring his microphones.
Mark Caspary
Owner / Producer / Sound Designer
Mark is a sound designer and composer with a diverse background in a variety of arts. From a young age, Mark has had a passion for music, theater, and technology. He is thrilled that he gets to do what he loves every day with some of his closest friends. In addition to co-founding Ears Up, he also had a two-year tenure as a Post MFA Fellow in Design at Pomona College. Additionally, Mark enjoys improvising and creating experimental theater as the resident composer and sound designer for CounterBalance Theater.
Nathan Chase
Project Manager
Nathan started his entertainment career like many others: by pursuing a biology degree and discovering theatre halfway through. After graduating with a BA in theatre, he was accepted into the stage management program at UCI. After receiving his MFA, he moved to Florida for a summer to work at Disney World, then returned to California to work in the Anaheim Disney parks as an assistant stage manager. When the pandemic shut down live events, Matt and Mark jumped at the chance to bring him onto the Ears Up team.
We believe in the power of collaboration. In addition to our in-house team, our sound is fueled by a wide range of talented professionals, including composers, designers, mixers, and more.