Capitol Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1942 and became one of the most significant American record labels of the post-war era. Its landmark Capitol Tower in Hollywood, opened in 1956, incorporated recording and mastering facilities that became closely associated with the label’s extensive catalogue. Alongside its recording operations, Capitol developed and commissioned specialised studio equipment for its own facilities, including custom consoles, signal processing and mastering equipment. This tradition continued into the modern era with equipment such as the CM5511 Mastering Compressor, a purpose-built processor designed for Capitol’s mastering rooms rather than for commercial sale.
