Today we’d like to introduce you to Gil Tamazyan.
Gil, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a child, I Grew up as a Roadie for my father’s band, picking up instruments and technical skills naturally along the way. Embracing my dad’s vinyl collection at a young age, always left a magical, mysterious wonder of how it all happens from record to stylus to speaker to ear. During my early college years, I found my self already working the Recording studio circuit in Hollywood. Before I was even allowed to consume alcohol, I was a part of studio sessions including Joe Cocker, Green Day, Battlecat, LL Cool J, Weezer. In that environment I was able to excel technically soon finding myself building/wiring studios for Babyface-Brandon’s Way/Edmond’s Towers, John McClains-Marvins Room, Stevie Wonders- Wonderland, Todd AO-west, KCRW, Zach De La Rocha. I was then hired by Solid State Logic installing and repairing J series Analog consoles.
As a musician/producer releasing vinyl since 1999, I soon learned about the limitations and issues with the vinyl record manufacturing side. There was a big disconnect between the greasy domestic plants and the mastering and production studio. I saw this as my calling, connecting my love for vinyl and my technical side. From that day on, my mission has been to help others achieve Better Sounding Finished products including vinyl and other mediums. I made a promise to myself that I was always going to remain small and boutique. That if I was going to do this, not to forget the reason why. Maintaining a micro plant allowed me the quality control in all areas of the process. It was all at a time when no one else was looking at entering the vinyl pressing industry. It was at a time when bigger plants were closing down, i.e., Hub Servall 33 1/3, ACME pressing, later Bill Smith.
I started Capsule Labs vinyl pressing and mastering plant in the year 2000 pre resurgence 20 years ago in the Artist District of Downtown LA near Santa Fe & Olympic as a 23-year-old. Capsule Labs was truly different by keeping everything 100% virgin without utilizing regrind, Having in house mastering and cutting done all by one person, and offering Direct To Disc Recording and Half Speed Mastering. Over the last 20 years, Capsule Labs has remained the only Vinyl Pressing Plant in the center of Los Angeles catering to Indie and Major labels and local artists while maintaining an emphasis on quality. Over the past ten years, we have seen a large number of growing newcomers entering the vinyl mastering and pressing industry.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been easy. Doing everything all alone has been the biggest challenge. There was never anyone to call for help or instructions. I had to build it, restore it, run it, repair it. Sometimes we found ourselves in Vernon at the Machine shop making another part. Hardened metal or 440 cold roll. My machinist Mendez would ask me. I never had a financial budget to do any of this. Everything was self brewed making ends meet every step of the way. The way I did it is not the way I recommend it. But I had no choice. and it has made me into who I am today. I had no one to blame and no one to turn to so I had to make it work.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Capsule Labs – what should we know?
I run the entire business, all aspects of it.
I do all the office work, calls, orders, operations. All the mastering, Lacquer Cutting. Pressing of the vinyl and packaging, shipping.
All the maintenance and upkeep off the plant and studios. Repairs, restores, boiler room operations, constant upkeep.
I’m pretty sure I’m the only person in the industry that does all these steps under one roof.
The only steps we outsource are the metal plating and the printed packaging.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Sebastian Chevrel was a close friend of mine that was always a true believer of my vision. He was a huge contributor and partner of Capsule Labs for a couple of years during our second move from 2010-2012.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2415 eads st Los Angeles, CA 90031
- Website: http://www.capsulelabs.com
- Phone: 323 362 6049
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/capsule_labs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastering.engineer
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/capsule-labs-los-angeles?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
