Justin Timberlake wants to make sure you have a 20/20 sound experience when you listen to music: He’s now a co-owner of the audio technology company AfterMaster Audio Labs, Inc.
AfterMaster, a subsidiary of Studio One Media Inc., announced Wednesday that the Grammy-winning pop star will join the company, which focuses on enhancing and re-mastering audio. Its website showcases examples of songs pre- and post-enhancement, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking company,” Timberlake said in a statement. “The first time I heard audio, post AfterMaster, I knew that I had to be a part of this company and that we had something revolutionary on our hands.”
The 33-year-old Timberlake joins the company’s founders, CEO Larry Ryckman and chief engineer Shelly Yakus. Ryckman and Yakus launched the audio technology company QSound along with Jimmy Iovine in 1986.
“Justin is an audiophile. He really understands quality audio,” Ryckman said in an interview. “Justin loves technology, completely understands audio and he’s very powerful and respected in the entertainment community.”
Timberlake had last year’s top-selling album with his comeback effort, “The 20/20 Experience.” The singer, with a group of other investors, bought MySpace in 2011.
AfterMaster’s technology will be offered in a chip that could be embedded in products such as mobile devices, headphones and televisions. It will also be available in software form for computers and streaming services. The company will announce its “first partnerships in the near future,” Ryckman said.
AfterMaster is also launching an online music mastering service next month, where musicians can upload songs, receive a re-mastered version and decide to purchase it.
Link to press release: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/timberlake-owner-audio-tech-company-27018434
