GZ Digital Media

Profile:

Operated under this name between 17 January 2000 and 31 December 2013. Established as “Gramofonové Závody a.s.” (“Gramophone Record Factory”) in 1951, GZ is a leading manufacturer of records, cassettes and optical discs. This Czech based company is probably the largest record manufacturer in the world today and has expanded its record manufacturing activities to include investments in Canada, and the USA.

Succession of names :
Gramofonové Závody since 1951.
Renamed to GZ Media (1 January 2014).

Vinyl matrix schemes ca. 1999–2003 - machine stamped in runouts:
AX #####/Z
“A” = verbatim, no particular meaning
“X” = format
“Z” = galvanoplasty

Vinyl matrix schemes ca. 2003–2013 - machine stamped or etched in runouts:
#####X~/Z or #####X~~/Z
“X” = format
“~” = side number
“Z” = galvanoplasty

Main vinyl formats:
E = stereo, 12", 33⅓ RPM
F = stereo, 10", 33⅓ RPM
H = stereo, 7", 45 RPM
M = stereo, 12", 45 RPM
N = stereo, 10", 45 RPM
O = stereo, 7", 33⅓ RPM - "O" can sometimes be mistaken with a "0" (zero)
X = stereo, 78 RPM (very rare)

CD matrix scheme:
GZ XY#### (GZ prefix is sometimes omitted)
“X” = year of matrix manufacturing:
K=1999, L=2000, M=2001, N=2002, O=2003, P=2004, R=2005, S=2006, T=2007, U=2008, V=2009, W=2010, X=2011, Y=2012, Z=2013
"Y" = month of matrix manufacturing:
1 to 9=January to September, A=October, B=November, C=December

Glass mastering codes:
IFPI LD01 until 2002 and IFPI LD02 since 2002. When featured on the disc use Glass Mastered At role with the XY#### as LCCN.
Mould SID code: 5J**
** = numbers

In a limited number of releases the Mould SID code IFPI 5307 appears instead of IFPI 5J**. The use of this code is still unclear and may have been due to an incorrect code entered for the machine used.
At the moment with this code do not credit the role of Pressed by (see below).

“Q” was never used in the matrix schemes.
CD matrix will be stored for 2 years, i.e. any represses in that time window will bear the same number.
If the original CD matrix was damaged, a new one will be created with a new number.


How-to:
• When another company is etched into the runouts alongside the GZ Digital Media matrix number, please add a Manufactured By credit for that company in addition to the Pressed By credit for GZ Digital Media.
• For these releases with “www.gzvinyl.com” in runout area the “www.gzvinyl.com” entity can be used.
• All releases manufactured (and released) before 1999 (CD: year code “A” to “J”) should be listed under Gramofonové Závody.
Use this entity to list releases manufactured from 1999 to 2013. Releases manufactured (and released) in 1998 or earlier should be listed under GZ Digital Media too.

LCCN how-to:
Vinyl matrix schemes ca. 1999–2003: Only the basic “AX ##### string should be entered with Pressed By role, without the galvanoplasty suffix. For example: AE 50022.
Vinyl matrix schemes ca. 2003–2013: Enter the numbers up to and including the first letter. For example: 75077M, 110557E, with Pressed By role. If at the same time “www.gzvinyl.com” string is found on run-out grooves use the role Manufactured By for it.

CD: only the “XY####” string should be entered, without the “GZ” prefix.
Glass mastering code: IFPI LD01 or LD02 - When featured on the disc use Glass Mastered At role with the XY#### in LCCN.
Mould SID code: IFPI 5J** - When featured on the disc use Pressed By role in LCCN.
"Glass Mastered At & Pressed By" - If both SIDs are present on the CD, both roles can be entered in the LCCN.

Info:

GZ Media, a.s.
Tovární 340, 267 12 Loděnice, Czech Republic
phone +420 311 673 100, +420 311 673 101, fax +420 311 673 669
email [email protected]

Manufacturer

GZ Digital Media GZ Digital Media, a. S. Tovární 340 267 12 Loděnice u Berouna CZECHIA http://www.gzmedia.com/ [email protected]

Manufacturer EU

GZ Digital Media, a. S. Tovární 340 267 12 Loděnice u Berouna CZECHIA http://www.gzmedia.com/ [email protected]

Links:

gzmedia.com , Facebook , X , LinkedIn

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Reviews

  • recordhead59's avatar
    recordhead59
    I must it to disagreeing with the majority of reviews of GZ. I own 85 releases that were all pressed at GZ. I am hard pressed (no pun intended) to find one with significant surface noise, warping, off center labels, IGD, or noticeable sibilance. I it that in the scheme of GZ Media, 85 releases are but a drop in the bucket, and I may have gotten lucky 85 times, but I can't find anything wrong with the releases I have in my collection so I can't jump on the bandwagon.
    • gregs1's avatar
      gregs1
      My only experience with GZ was a very good one. Very quiet record that did justice to the recording, which is great by the way.
      It was a limited release on high quality virgin vinyl 180 gr. It was a release that they want to sound good and they pulled it off. So what was the record you ask? Miles Davis Ascenseur pour l'echafadud. A great yet little known work by Davis.
      • TemplarSaint's avatar
        TemplarSaint
        GZ does all of Castleface's stuff (Oh Sees) and I've never had any trouble with them.
        • robert.huffman.311's avatar
          I always check the comments on pressing companies and was scared of this one based on that but I realized I do have at least one, Unholy Graves' Raw Chaos (2005) (https://www.discogs.sie.com/Unholy-Grave-Raw-Chaos/release/3856193), granted it's grindcore noise and a 4 track demo at that, but, the record is clean. No surface noise beyond normal expectation. I recorded it in Audacity and removed one (1) very noticeable "pop". When I came to Discogs to ID3 it and saw it was GZ I was somewhat amazed that it sounded very good. I am still wary of GZ but is not guaranteed crap it seems. Just sharing that.
          • EBarlow's avatar
            EBarlow
            I agree with the other posts. I learned the hard way.
            • Alwills's avatar
              Alwills
              Edited 6 years ago
              Agree with the previous post, I sigh whenever I receive a pressing from GZ. Lots of background noise and generally lifeless and flat.
              • tonyknezovic's avatar
                tonyknezovic
                AVOID!!!!!!clicks and surface noise on almost all records I bought pressed by them!
                • DogsCollection's avatar
                  DogsCollection
                  I must've been really lucky, most of my new records come from GZ, and very few of them I have issues with. Compared to plants like United and Rainbo, they're miles ahead.
                  • jdiago's avatar
                    jdiago
                    I have several records pressed by GZ. Quality control must be inexistent at their factory.
                    Just avoid anything pressed by them.
                    • mondipak's avatar
                      mondipak
                      Every LP I have bought, which has been pressed by GZ, suffers from unbearable surface noise which is impossible to remove. This is undoubtedly due to poor housekeeping ,if any, and lacking quality control, if any. In future I will avoid buying any LP's pressed by this company.