Larry Ryckman

Last updated

Larry Ryckman
NewLRyckman.jpg
Larry Ryckman
Born (1959-08-28) August 28, 1959 (age 65)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)Music industry executive
President and CEO of Aftermaster Audio Labs [1]
Known forMusic Mastering, Audio Technologies, Hollywood recording studios, Entertainment Executive
Notable workJanet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Sting, Empire, RayJ, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Nick Cannon, Emmy Awards

Lawrence G. Ryckman (born August 28, 1959) is a Canadian music industry executive known for his knowledge of audio production and mastering and the development of patented audio and video technologies used in the music and entertainment industries. [2] He is president and CEO of AfterMaster Audio Labs and Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, part of Scottsdale, Arizona-based Aftermaster, Inc. [3] [4] In November 2014, recording artist Justin Timberlake joined Ryckman as a co-owner of AfterMaster. [5]

Contents

Early life and education

Ryckman was born in Toronto, Canada, on August 28, 1959, to Claude and Magdeline (Gallo) Ryckman.[ citation needed ]

Career

American Artists

In 1982, Ryckman served as vice president, development, of the film and TV production company American Artists, Inc. He became president and CEO in 1984 and produced several feature films including The Virgin Queen of St. Francis High , [6] Snowballs, and Crime of the Century.[ citation needed ] At about this time Ryckman produced, hosted and narrated a one-hour documentary, The Aryan Nation, [7] an exposé of the Aryan Nations and the growing neo-Nazi movements in North America, filmed partly inside the Aryan Nations Hayden Lake Idaho compound.

Music

In 1986, Ryckman co-founded Archer Communications, Inc./QSound Labs, Ltd., an audio technology company which developed proprietary audio technologies for the music, film, TV, computer and video game industries. QSound developed the first patented three-dimensional audio process for playback through traditional stereo. [8] Ryckman assembled a team of entertainment industry professionals to assist in building the company, including CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz, music industry veterans Jimmy Iovine, Shelly Yakus, music producer Bob Ezrin, film producer, George J. Folsey and Warner Bros. director Salah Hassanein. Todd-Ao/Glen Glenn Studios then the world's largest motion picture and television sound studios became a large stakeholder which led QSound to be utilized in various feature film productions including, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.

In 1990, Ryckman and music attorney Allen Grubman negotiated a deal in the music industry with Polygram NV, then the world's largest record company, for the payment of a mechanical royalty on all albums sold that were mixed with QSound. Ryckman oversaw the engineering of several albums using QSound including Madonna's "The Immaculate Collection", Michael Jackson's "Dangerous', Paula Abdul's "Spellbound", Sting's "The Soul Cages" and Julian Lennon's "Help Yourself". In addition, three music recordings engineered with QSound during Ryckman's tenure won GRAMMY awards including the motion picture soundtrack, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. The Company achieved a market capitalization approaching $500 million and was covered in Barron's, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter. [9]

After the company's first profitable quarter, Ryckman moved from CEO to co-chairman of QSound and teamed up with QSound VP of Music, Jimmy Iovine, to start a music label which was the impetus for Interscope Records. Shortly thereafter Ryckman was approached to purchase the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL and left the music industry to pursue the ownership of the team. [9]

Sports

In 1991, Ryckman purchased and privatized the Calgary Stampeders Football Club [10] [11] of the Canadian Football League (CFL). At the time the team was struggling financially and Ryckman was widely credited for saving the team. [12] Many changes took place under his ownership, including the signing of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Doug Flutie, [13] quarterback Jeff Garcia from San Jose State and future pro wrestling superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson [14] and in team management and player personnel. A new marketing campaign was built around "The New Calgary Stampeders". During his tenure the Stampeders broke a number of league and team records, participated in five Grey Cup Championship games, and won the Grey Cup in Toronto in 1992, for the first time in 21 years. [15] Part of the marketing campaign was one of extortion: at one point he demanded that Stampeders fans buy 16,000 season tickets or else he would move the team to San Antonio, Texas. [13]

During his five years in the CFL, Ryckman co-chaired the CFL expansion committee with late actor John Candy and served on the Executive Committee of the CFL Board of Governors. In 1993, he purchased the rights to host the 1993 Grey Cup game for the City of Calgary. That year, he declined the playoff bye the Stampeders had earned in order to get another playoff home game and the ticket sales that resulted from it. The 1993 Grey Cup festival drew a capacity crowd of over 50,000 spectators. Ryckman constructed and donated new private luxury boxes at the Stampeders home field, McMahon Stadium in Calgary. Ryckman was subsequently awarded the CFL's Outstanding Contribution Award for his contributions to both the league and as a Governor.[ citation needed ] Ryckman was a major advocate of the CFL's American expansion, with part of the rationale being that the expansion fees could serve as a source of revenue for the existing franchises. [16]

In 1995, the Alberta Securities Commission levied costs of its investigation on Ryckman after he was found guilty of stock manipulation in a regulatory hearing, that despite Ryckman's objections, was conducted outside of Alberta civil and criminal courts. [17] Ryckman chose to place the team into receivership to eliminate over $5 million in government debt that he had assumed in his purchase of the team, in order to sell it to Sig Gutsche of Calgary, which was announced and arranged a year before the sale. The final sale of the team was made on April 3, 1996, to Sig Gutsche. [18] Whereas Ryckman had restored interest in the Stampeders and made it a Championship team after 21 years, Gutsche was able to rectify the team's debts and make it profitable again. [19]

MyStudio

In 2004, Ryckman founded MyStudio, Inc., a private company established to develop MyStudio [20] [21] interactive recording studios, Mystudio.net and related technologies. MyStudio was the world's first self-contained, interactive audio and video recording studio available for consumer use. In 2007, Ryckman sold his interest in MyStudio to public company, Studio One Media, Inc. in an all-stock transaction valued at $30 million and became the largest shareholder of Studio One.[ citation needed ] As CEO of MyStudio, Ryckman negotiated multi-year deals with Simon Cowell's "The X Factor," Mark Burnett Productions, The GRAMMY Foundation, EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music, Sony/ATV, Hard Rock International, Warner Music Nashville [22] and the Queen Latifah Show.[ citation needed ] Multiple patents have been issued and filed relating to MyStudio and its underlying processes and technologies. [23]

In 2008, Ryckman negotiated a music license with publishing giant EMI which allowed consumers for the first time to legally create music videos in a publicly accessible venue using popular music for unlimited online posting. [24] The EMI license was followed up with multi-year licenses with Universal Music, Sony ATV and BMG. [25]

In April, 2011, Ryckman finalized a multi-year agreement involving stakeholders Fox, Freemantle, Sony and Simco for the use of MyStudio's for Simon Cowell's "The X Factor." [26] The 2012 MyStudio auditions resulted in the discovery of top four X Factor finalists "Emblem3" and "Carly Rose Sonenclar". In September, 2013 a MyStudio was installed at SONY Pictures Studios for use on The Queen Latifah show. In September 2014, MyStudio merged with bBooth, Inc.[ citation needed ]


AfterMaster Audio

In 2006, Ryckman and audio engineer Shelly Yakus embarked on a multimillion-dollar, multi-year development effort to create AfterMaster HD Audio through AfterMaster Audio Labs. Inc. The award-winning and proprietary [27] AfterMaster hardware and software process creates an audio process and master recording with a loudness, fullness and clarity which AfterMaster claims is unachievable through traditional mastering techniques. [2] The first major music releases using MyStudio AfterMaster HD Audio process were Janet Jackson's "Make Me" produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Lady Gaga's multi-platinum "Telephone."[ citation needed ]

AfterMaster's music mastering process for independent artists, "ProMaster", became the first online independent music mastering service. with marketing partners Guitar Center and later Tunecore. AfterMaster also entered into an agreement wherein its ProMaster division remastered 6,000,000 songs for independent artists for the online independent music website, ReverbNation.

AfterMaster took over the former production offices of Alfred Hitchcock at the Crossroads of the World complex, establishing six recording and mastering studios. [28]

Ryckman serves as Chairman of the AfterMaster Advisory Board which includes music producer, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, songwriter, Diane Warren, music producer, Richard Perry, media investor, Ted Field, former Atlantic, Capitol and Virgin music CEO, Jason Flom, casting director, Sheila Jaffe, former Lucasfilm CEO, Charles Weber, music producer and engineer, Jack Douglas, former Interscope CEO of Urban Music, Ron Gillyard, film producer, Gary Goldstein [29] and former Virgin and Warner music CEO, Phil Quartararo.[ citation needed ]

On April 1, 2014, ON Semiconductor, a multinational developer and manufacturer of semiconductors partnered with AfterMaster Audio Labs to incorporate AfterMaster Audio in semiconductor chips for use in consumer electronic products. [30] In November 2014, superstar Justin Timberlake joined AfterMaster Audio Labs as a co-owner. [2] In 2016, mastering engineer Pete Doell joined as head of Aftermaster's music mastering.

In 2017, Ryckman and his partner Shelly Yakus took over and renovated the 40-year-old Graham Nash recording studio in Hollywood, at which many well-known artists had recorded. The studio was upgraded to include an 80 track SSL 4000 G+ console and up-to-date gear and instruments. [31]

Honors and awards

Aftermaster was awarded the Technical Achievement Award at the 2010 Hollywood Music and Media Awards [32] for its MyStudio and AfterMaster HD Audio technologies developed by Ryckman and his engineering team. Aftermaster's patented technology and products were recognized with three awards at the 2016 CES show in Las Vegas. [33]

Ryckman received Canada's Vanier Award for Outstanding Young Canadian in 1993 for his business and community accomplishments. [34]

Discography

Mastering (partial list): [35]

QSound mixing credits:

Patents

Patents issued: Audio Process, Live Broadcast Interview, Low/High Resolution, Studio Booth - United States Patents: 8,508,572, 8,169,548, 8,144,257, 8,089,564, 9,390,698. [36]

Personal life

He married Elaine (Howes) Ryckman and together they have three children, Lauren, Aaron and Kiera. [37]

Charity

Ryckman has been active with several charitable organizations including the Easter Seals, Uncles at Large, Cystic Fibrosis and Cancer Society. Ryckman currently serves on the advisory board of the Felix Organization whose principals include Sheila Jaffe, Darryl McDaniels and Mark Wahlberg. [38] Ryckman was the Executive Producer of the Felix PSA video "Walk This Way" which was directed by Penny Marshall and featured Aerosmith and 25 celebrities. The Felix Organization sends hundreds of underprivileged inner-city foster kids to summer camp every year.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calgary Stampeders</span> Professional Canadian football team

The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. The Stampeders compete in the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The club plays its home games at McMahon Stadium and are the fifth oldest active franchise in the CFL. The Stampeders were officially founded in 1945, although there were clubs operating in Calgary since the 1890s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">QSound Labs</span>

QSound Labs is an audio technology company based in Calgary, Canada. It is primarily a developer and provider of audio enhancement technologies for entertainment and communications devices and software. The company is best known as a pioneer of 3D audio effects, beginning with speaker-targeted positional 3D technology applied to arcade video games and professional music and film soundtrack production. QSound was founded by Larry Ryckman (CEO), Danny Lowe, and John Lees. Jimmy Iovine served as SVP of Music and Shelly Yakus as VP of Audio Engineering in its formative years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">QSound</span> Sound processing algorithm

QSound is the original name for a positional three-dimensional (3D) sound processing algorithm from QSound Labs that creates 3D audio effects from multiple monophonic sources and sums the outputs to two channels for presentation over regular stereo speakers. QSound was eventually re-dubbed "Q1" after the introduction of "Q2", a positional 3D algorithm for headphones. When multi-speaker surround system support was later added to the positional 3D process, the QSound positional 3D audio process became known simply as "Q3D". QSound was founded by Larry Ryckman (CEO), Danny Lowe and John Lees. Jimmy Iovine served as senior vice president of music and Shelly Yakus as vice president of audio engineering in its formative years.

The 1992 CFL season is considered to be the 39th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 35th Canadian Football League season.

The 2006 CFL season is considered to be the 53rd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 49th Canadian Football League season.

The Canadian Football League (CFL), which features teams based in Canada, has made efforts to gain further audience in the United States, most directly through expansion into the country from the 1993 CFL season through the 1995 CFL season. The CFL plays Canadian football, a form of gridiron football which is somewhat different from the more common American football played in the United States and other parts of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Cornish</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1984)

Jonathan Michael Cornish is a Canadian former professional football running back who played nine seasons with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted 13th overall in the 2006 CFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Kansas. Cornish was inducted as a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2019 on his first ballot.

Sheldon Gershon "Shelly" Yakus is an American music engineer and mixer. Formerly chief engineer and vice president of A&M Records, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Yakus is referenced at the end of one of Tom Petty's songs "What're You Doin' In My Life?" As of 2014, Yakus was chief engineer of AfterMaster Audio Labs and Recording Studios, a recording firm he co-founded with Larry Ryckman, who is its CEO. Yakus is also vice president of Studio One Media, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Mace</span> Canadian gridiron football player and coach (born 1985)

Corey Mace is a Canadian professional football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played as a defensive tackle in the CFL and National Football League (NFL). Mace played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys. He was signed by the NFL's Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nik Lewis</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1982)

Nikolas Lewis is the receivers coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and he is a former professional Canadian football slotback who played for 15 years in the CFL. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion, winning in 2008 and 2014 with the Stampeders. In his first season, he won the CFL Rookie of the Year award, followed by five West Division All-Star and three CFL All-Star awards. He is second all-time as a Stampeder in receptions (805), receiving yards (11,250), and touchdown catches (65) behind Allen Pitts. He also has the club record for consecutive games with a reception, with 166. On August 24, 2017, Lewis became the CFL all-time leader in receptions with 1,030 catches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creative Technology</span> Singaporean technology company

Creative Technology Ltd., or Creative Labs Pte Ltd., is a Singaporean multinational electronics company mainly dealing with audio technologies and products such as speakers, headphones, sound cards and other digital media. Founded by Sim Wong Hoo, Creative was highly influential in the advancement of PC audio in the 1990s following the introduction of its Sound Blaster card and technologies; the company continues to develop Sound Blaster products including embedding it with partnered mainboard manufacturers and laptops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">102nd Grey Cup</span> 2014 Canadian Football championship game

The 102nd Grey Cup was a Canadian football game played November 30, 2014, between the West Division champion Calgary Stampeders and East Division champion Hamilton Tiger-Cats, to determine the Canadian Football League (CFL) championship for the 2014 season. The contest was held at BC Place stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Stampeders won the contest 20–16 to claim their seventh Grey Cup championship in franchise history and first since 2008. Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player, while Hamilton's Andy Fantuz received the Dick Suderman Trophy as most outstanding Canadian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yoad Nevo</span> Record producer and mix engineer

Yoad Nevo is a Multi Platinum Producer and Mixer known for his work with Sia, Ed Sheeran, Giggs, Jem, Pet Shop Boys, Bryan Adams, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, The Dandy Warhols, Goldfrapp, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Moby, Air, Morcheeba, amongst others. He is also the owner of Nevo Sound Studios in London, and the Product Manager, co-inventor of pro audio plugins for Waves Audio.

The 2014 CFL season was the 61st season of modern-day Canadian football. It was the 57th Canadian Football League season. Vancouver hosted the 102nd Grey Cup on November 30. The league expanded to nine teams with the addition of the Ottawa Redblacks, giving the CFL nine teams for the first time since the 2005 season. As a result of the expansion, the schedule shifted to a 20-week regular season plus three weeks of playoffs ; the season started on June 26, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirrors (Justin Timberlake song)</span> 2013 single by Justin Timberlake

"Mirrors" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his third studio album, The 20/20 Experience (2013). First conceived in 2009, the track was inspired by his relationship with Jessica Biel and the marriage of his grandparents. It is an eight-minute-long mid-tempo progressive soul and R&B ballad. Timberlake wrote and produced the song with Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy. The accompanying music video, directed by Floria Sigismondi, was released in March 2013 and depicts a tale of two lovers through several decades.

Adam Thibault is a Canadian former professional football defensive back who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He won his first Grey Cup championship in his rookie year with the Calgary Stampeders in 2014 after winning three Vanier Cup championships with Laval.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemar Durant</span> Canadian football player (born 1992)

Lemar Durant is a former Canadian football wide receiver who played seven seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He attended Simon Fraser University, where he played college football for the Simon Fraser Clan. He was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the second round of the 2015 CFL Draft. Durant has also been a member of the BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks.

The 2016 CFL season was the 63rd season of modern-day Canadian football. Officially, it was the 59th Canadian Football League season. Toronto hosted the 104th Grey Cup on November 27. The regular season began on June 23 and ended on November 5.

Peter Doell is an American recording and mastering engineer known for his work with Miles Davis, Toto, Céline Dion and The Beach Boys. Doell has been a staff engineer at Capitol Studios, Sunset Sound Recorders and Universal Mastering Studios West. His film and TV work includes Road To Perdition, Black Hawk Down and Monsters, Inc., American Idol, The Voice and Empire.

The 2022 CFL season was the 68th season of modern-day Canadian football. Officially, it was the 64th season of the Canadian Football League. The regular season began on June 9 and ended on October 29, with 18 games played per team over 21 weeks. Regina hosted the 109th Grey Cup on November 20, 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Lawrence G. Ryckman". Businessweek.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 ABC News. "Entertainment News, Celebrity and Pop Culture - ABC News". ABC News. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Becomes Co-Owner of Audio Company AfterMaster". Billboard. November 19, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  4. ↑ "AfterMaster Blends Tradition And Tech From Hollywood Studio". Forbes, November 19/2014. Melissa Daniels.
  5. ↑ "Timberlake becomes co-owner of audio tech company". The Big Story. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  6. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ [ dead link ]
  8. ↑ "Recording Process Puts the Listener Amid the Music". The New York Times , December 24, 1990, Stephen Holden
  9. 1 2 "Larry Ryckman - LinkedIn". LinkedIn . Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  10. ↑ "What Happened on October 24". OnThisDay.com. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Today in History" Red Deer Advocate, October 24, 2016
  12. ↑ "Calgary Stampeders". Archived from the original on March 25, 2005. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Not-so-friendly persuasion selling tickets in Canada". The Baltimore Sun. July 23, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Dwayne Johnson reflects on the CFL's impact on his life". CFL.ca. March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Official site of the Calgary Stampeders as powered by SLAM! Sports". October 14, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2002. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  16. ↑ "New book by Willes explores the CFL's American era". Regina, Saskatchewan: Leader Post. November 23, 2013. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Arizona Court of Appeals: Alberta Securities Commission v. Ryckman". Caselaw.findlaw.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  18. ↑ Cosentino, Frank (December 17, 2014). Home Again. Lulu.com. ISBN   9781312745476.
  19. ↑ "Former Stamps owner Sig Gutsche dies at 64". Archived from the original on September 18, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Mall Mini-Studios Offer New Route to Auditions". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Studio One Media to install recording booths at malls nationwide" Phoenix Business Journal, By Lynn Ducey, Dec 3, 2010
  22. ↑ "WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE PARTNERS WITH MYSTUDIO HD RECORDING STUDIOS - Wayback Machine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  23. ↑ "STUDIO ONE MEDIA RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR SECOND PATENT MYSTUDIO HD RECORDING STUDIOS - Wayback Machine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  24. ↑ "STUDIO ONE MEDIA FINALIZES GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT WITH EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING - WayBack Machine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  25. ↑ "STUDIO ONE MEDIA INKS MUSIC LICENSING DEAL WITH SONY/ATV - WayBack Machine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  26. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  27. ↑ "United States Patent: 10483934 - Audio leveling and enhancement device". Patft.uspto.gov.
  28. ↑ "Studio Profile: Aftermaster Studios Hollywood". Audiomaster International. Colby Ramsey Jul 24, 2017
  29. ↑ "Board | Aftermaster | Audio Labs". August 31, 2018. Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Justin Timberlake part owner in Scottsdale audio firm". Azcentral.com. December 2, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Aftermaster Renovates Legendary Hollywood Studio". Musicconnection.com. April 12, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Home Page". Hollywood Music In Media Awards. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ Hayley Ringle (January 13, 2016). "Justin Timberlake-backed Scottsdale audio company wins 3 awards at CES". Memphis Business Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  34. ↑ "List of Vanier Award winners" Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine . JCI Canada
  35. ↑ "Larry Ryckman Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic . Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  36. ↑ "United States Patent: 9390698". United States Patent and Trademark Office .
  37. ↑ "Obituary of Magda Ryckman | McInnis & Holloway, Fish Creek". mhfh.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Who We Are". Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.