Yorkville Sound
Yorkville Sound is a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of professional audio equipment, including Yorkville loudspeakers, Traynor amplifiers and related live-sound products.
Last updated October 14, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Yorkville Sound is a Canadian audio-equipment manufacturer whose roots are in the Toronto music-retail and repair trade. The company was established in 1963 after Peter Traynor, a repairman at Long & McQuade, developed rugged amplifier equipment for working musicians. His early Dynabass amplifier was designed to withstand the demands of touring and was initially rented to customers of the music store. Traynor subsequently began selling the amplifier with matching 15-inch speaker cabinets and expanded into public-address equipment based on established commercial loudspeaker designs. He proposed a dedicated manufacturing venture to Jack Long, co-founder of Long & McQuade, and the two formed Yorkville Sound, with Long holding the larger ownership interest and Traynor retaining a minority stake. The company incorporated as Yorkville Sound Limited in 1965 and moved its operations within Toronto. Its early portfolio centered on Traynor-branded amplifiers, speaker cabinets and PA products. A notable early product was the YVM-1 Voice Master, introduced in 1966. This portable tube amplifier combined a microphone mixer, tone controls, speaker connections and provisions for spring reverb. The integrated amplifier-and-mixer format was well suited to musicians and small performing groups and helped establish Yorkville as an innovator in portable sound reinforcement. The product concept was sufficiently influential that it was followed by competing products from larger audio companies. Yorkville expanded beyond its original Toronto base during the late 1960s. Distribution reached western Canada and the United States, including through a Buffalo operation that later became Yorkville Sound Inc. The company also moved into larger concert systems, designing multi-channel mixers, equalized sound systems, audio snakes, folded-horn bass enclosures and stage monitor speakers. These activities broadened Yorkville from an amplifier maker into a supplier of complete live-sound systems. International expansion followed in the 1970s, when the company established offices in the United Kingdom and Sweden. The 1970s and 1980s brought wider manufacturing and contracting activity. Yorkville produced loudspeaker enclosures for Martin Audio's North American market and introduced proprietary lines such as Sound Crew concert speakers, élite portable loudspeakers and Audiopro amplifiers. The SW-1000, a 1,000-watt subwoofer introduced in 1986, reflected the company's continuing emphasis on high-output reinforcement equipment. Peter Traynor left the business after selling his shares in 1976, and the Traynor name was gradually withdrawn before being revived in 2000 as a heritage and active product brand. Yorkville continued developing products for both touring and installed sound. It created a studio-monitor line in 1991, introduced the TX touring loudspeaker series in 1996 and later collaborated with designer Tom Danley on the Unity loudspeaker family. The Unity products, introduced in 2003, used technology licensed from Sound Physics Labs. In more recent years, the company has marketed large-format Paraline, Parasource and Synergy systems alongside smaller NX, YXL and EXM products, including portable and battery-powered models. Its portfolio also includes mixers, stage lighting, cables and accessories. Yorkville operates both as a manufacturer and as an importer, exporter and distributor. In addition to its Yorkville and Traynor brands, the company has been associated with Apex, ART, Orion FX Lights, Granite Percussion and Denver guitars. It has also distributed a range of third-party musical-instrument and audio brands in North America. The business remains privately owned by the Long family. Jack Long received the Order of Canada in 2014 for contributions to the Canadian music industry, including the founding of Long & McQuade and Yorkville Sound. Peter Traynor died in 2016, and Jack Long died in 2024. Yorkville Sound continues to operate from Ontario as an independent Canadian professional-audio company.
History
Yorkville Sound began in 1963 in the back room of Long & McQuade, a Toronto music store on Yonge Street. Peter Traynor worked there as a repairman and modified amplifiers with readily available components. His work led to the Dynabass, a rugged bass amplifier intended for musicians who needed equipment capable of surviving repeated transport and performance use. Traynor first rented the amplifier to customers, then began selling it with matching 15-inch speaker cabinets. He also developed PA speakers based on commercial loudspeaker designs described in an RCA reference publication. Traynor approached Jack Long, a co-founder of Long & McQuade, about creating a separate company to market Traynor amplifiers and related products. Yorkville Sound was formed with Long holding two-thirds of the venture and Traynor one-third. Early products carried Traynor branding, while rear nameplates identified Yorkville Sound as the manufacturer. The business was incorporated as Yorkville Sound Limited in 1965, with Long as president and Traynor as vice-president, and moved to premises near Dundas Street and Parliament in Toronto. In 1966, the company introduced the YVM-1 Voice Master, a portable 45-watt tube amplifier incorporating a four-channel microphone mixer. Its controls, speaker connections, patching points and compatibility with the TR-1 spring reverb unit made it a practical compact PA system. The format became commercially influential and was followed by competing products, including Shure's Vocal Master line in 1967. Yorkville expanded its distribution network in 1967, reaching Vancouver and the United States through Buffalo, New York. In 1969 it developed larger concert-sound equipment, including eight-, sixteen- and 24-channel mixers with integral graphic equalizers, audio snakes and folded-horn bass cabinets using 18-inch drivers. The company also designed wedge-shaped stage monitors and operated a sound-contracting business. A US subsidiary, Yorkville Sound Inc., was established in connection with the Buffalo operation. The company faced pricing pressure in the United States in 1970 after changes in the Canadian dollar's relationship to the US dollar and a temporary US surtax on imported finished goods. It nevertheless continued international expansion, opening offices in the United Kingdom and Sweden in 1972. Peter Traynor sold his shares and departed in 1976. The Traynor brand was gradually phased out over the following years, although Yorkville later brought it back in 2000. Jack Long's son Steve Long joined the business full time in 1981 and eventually became president. During the 1970s and 1980s, Yorkville expanded manufacturing and contract production. Around 1981 or 1982, it fabricated loudspeaker enclosures for Martin Audio's North American market. In 1983 it launched the Sound Crew concert-speaker line. The élite portable loudspeaker series and Audiopro amplifier line followed in 1985, while the SW-1000 1,000-watt subwoofer appeared in 1986. Yorkville entered studio monitoring in 1991 and introduced the TX touring-loudspeaker series in 1996. It later worked with designer Tom Danley to develop the Unity loudspeaker family. Introduced in 2003, Unity used technology licensed from Danley's Sound Physics Labs. The company subsequently developed and marketed multiple generations of systems for concert venues, festivals, installations, small venues and portable applications. Its present portfolio includes large-format Paraline, Parasource and Synergy systems, as well as NX, YXL and EXM products for smaller venues and mobile users. Yorkville also makes mixers, lighting, cables and accessories, and manages or distributes multiple related brands. Its own and associated brands have included Traynor, Apex, ART, Orion FX Lights, Granite Percussion and Denver guitars. North American distribution activities have included brands such as KRK, Dynaudio, Epiphone, Gibson, Steinberger, Gold Tone, Ernie Ball, Rotosound, Ritter, Samson, HK Audio, X-Vive, Aston and Gallien-Krueger. The company is based in Pickering, Ontario, and remains privately owned by the Long family.
- 2014
Jack Long receives the Order of Canada
[1]Long is recognized for contributions to the Canadian music industry and for founding Long & McQuade and Yorkville Sound.
- 2003
Unity loudspeaker line introduced
[1]Yorkville launches Unity loudspeakers using technology licensed from Sound Physics Labs.
- 2000
Traynor brand revived
[1]Yorkville reintroduces the Traynor amplifier brand after its earlier phase-out.
- 1996
TX touring loudspeakers introduced
[1]Yorkville expands its touring portfolio with the TX series.
- 1991
Studio-monitor business begins
[1]The company introduces a line of studio monitor speakers.
- 1983
Sound Crew line introduced
[1]Yorkville creates the Sound Crew line of concert speakers.
- 1976
Peter Traynor leaves the company
[1]Traynor sells his shares and departs; the Traynor product identity is later phased out before its revival.
- 1972
European expansion
[1]Yorkville opens offices in the United Kingdom and Sweden.
- 1967
Expansion into western Canada and the United States
[1]Distribution reaches Vancouver and the company establishes a US presence through Buffalo.
- 1966
Voice Master introduced
[1]Yorkville launches the YVM-1 Voice Master portable tube amplifier and mixer.
Products and positioning
A Canadian, independently owned professional-audio company focused on durable live-sound, touring, portable PA and amplification products, supported by manufacturing, distribution and a multi-brand musical-instrument portfolio.
Amplifiers · 1963
Traynor amplifiers
The Traynor line originated with Peter Traynor's rugged Dynabass amplifier and became Yorkville Sound's best-known amplifier family. The range has historically included bass and guitar amplification as well as related cabinets and accessories. Although the brand was gradually phased out after Traynor's departure, Yorkville revived it in 2000 and continues to use the name as a major part of its amplifier heritage.
Portable PA · 1966
Voice Master
The YVM-1 Voice Master was a 45-watt portable tube amplifier with an integrated four-channel microphone mixer. It included tone controls, speaker outputs and patching points for the TR-1 spring reverb unit. Its compact amplifier-and-mixer configuration addressed the needs of musicians and small performers and became one of Yorkville's historically significant early products.
Loudspeakers · 2003
Unity
Unity was a loudspeaker family developed with designer Tom Danley and introduced in 2003. The design was licensed from Sound Physics Labs and represented Yorkville's move toward more advanced system solutions for professional sound reinforcement. It formed part of the company's wider concert and touring loudspeaker development.
Large-format loudspeakers
Paraline
Paraline systems are part of Yorkville's contemporary large-format loudspeaker portfolio. They are intended for demanding professional applications such as major venues, touring productions and outdoor festivals, where high output and system scalability are important.
Large-format loudspeakers
Parasource
Parasource is a Yorkville loudspeaker-system family aimed at large venues and outdoor events. It sits within the company's professional sound-reinforcement offering and is designed for applications requiring substantial acoustic coverage and output.
Professional loudspeakers
Synergy
Synergy systems are among Yorkville's professional loudspeaker offerings for large venues and festival-scale sound reinforcement. The line reflects the company's focus on integrated, high-output systems rather than standalone consumer audio products.
Portable and small-venue PA
NX, YXL and EXM
The NX, YXL and EXM families address smaller venues, mobile performers and portable sound applications. The portfolio includes compact loudspeakers and battery-powered models, extending Yorkville's professional-audio expertise into easier-to-deploy systems for musicians, presenters and small events.
Brand decisions
2003
Launch of Unity loudspeakersProduct launchBackground
Yorkville sought to extend its professional loudspeaker development through collaboration with designer Tom Danley.
Action taken
The company introduced the Unity line using technology licensed from Sound Physics Labs.
Aftermath
Unity became part of Yorkville's concert and touring loudspeaker history.
2000
Revival of the Traynor brandStrategyBackground
The Traynor name had been gradually phased out after Peter Traynor left Yorkville Sound in 1976.
Action taken
Yorkville reintroduced Traynor as an active amplifier brand.
Aftermath
The revival preserved the company's founding amplifier heritage within its modern product portfolio.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/yorkville-sound · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled