Studio Owner-Manager: Manta Sound.
Born in the Netherlands to musical parents and educated near Hamilton, Ontario, Sy Potma moved to Toronto in ’68 to pursue musical and technical aspirations. He began his career as system tech with Festival Productions, in concert sound for Massey Hall, Mariposa Festivals and True North Records Artists to name a few.
In ‘71 he joined Manta Sound, during its construction phase starting in Manta’s tech dept with Brian Lowe. Then working with mentors Andy Hermant and David Greene, he contributed to a continuous stream of record projects, commercials, TV themes and film scores. Manta Studios also spawned Manta Electronics Group and later Manta Video Labs; both of which Sy was involved with as design consultant and in technical developments. In the late ‘70’s with Potma as Vice President and Technical Manager, Manta became an innovative, industry leading studio complex and Canada’s prime film scoring stage.
In the ‘80’s, Manta’s studio expansion saw early implementation of multitrack digital recorders and diversification to audio post production. Sy also headed the design of a series of studio monitors and studio design projects for Manta Electronics. When Yorkville’s Eastern Sound joined the group in 1991 he designed mix theatres and audio post suites for division Medallion PFA. In 2001, as project coordinator for the technical consolidation of Manta Eastern Sound, Medallion and Toybox into the DAVE complex, he again led the studio and mix theatre design and construction projects. From 1991 to 2004 Potma served on the inner circle of Command Post & Transfer’s management team.
In 2004, Potma launched Acoust FX to pursue audio consulting. A 5.1 studio consulting and reconstruction project took him to London’s Fanshawe College, Music Industry Arts Program where today he holds the post of Audio Technical Support specialist for the School of Contemporary Media.
Sy Potma has held executive positions in the Audio Engineering Society, Toronto Section and the International Teleproduction Society, is a member of National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and is currently AES, Toronto Section Vice Chairman.
Sy most prefers the sound of acoustic guitars and occasionally plays a mean blues harmonica.
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