Washington State University’s campus radio station, KZUU, prepares for its move to the new Compton Union Building and a technological renovation this summer.
KZUU, a broadcast service of the Associated Students of WSU, recently received $56,800 from the Student Services and Activities Fee Committee for what KZUU technical advisor Duncan J. Fairley described as a “necessary upgrade.” The station will use the money to purchase new studio equipment such as, microphones, CD players, a mixer board, and computers.
KZUU’s technological renovation includes the use of a new automation system. The automation system controls all aspects of broadcasting that disc jockeys normally perform, according to Fairley.
In the past KZUU’s broadcast schedule depended on the number of DJs, which caused the station to be off the air from 2 a.m. until 8 a.m. With the automation system the station can broadcast 24 hours per day. Although the technological renovation will not change how shows are carried out, the most notable change the automation system will make for listeners is a more professional sounding broadcast, according to Fairley.
“We’re building a station that’s on par with more popular commercial stations equipment-wise, but we have no plans on changing our non-commercial format,” Fairley said.
Along with technical changes, this fall the station will be moving from its current studio in Smith Gym to a new studio located in the Compton Union Building. KZUU general manager, Matthew R. Schroeder, said he is looking forward to the new location.
“Right now in Smith Gym we are kind of off the beaten path,” said Schroeder. “It’s not a very conspicuous space. The CUB will be the hub for all student activity.”
The new centralized location is a foundation for KZUU to gain listener and DJ interest, according to Schroeder and Fairley. Expanding the station’s audience to more than its current niche audience is a goal Schroeder said he sees for the station in the upcoming school year.
“I want students to not only know about the station, but also listen and be active with the station. There was a time when the station was very noticeable on campus. I want to get us back to the point again where the first thing people do when they get in their cars is turn the radio to 90.7 FM,” Schroeder said.
The new studio is in close proximity to many student organizations, which will provide more opportunities for collaboration with student groups, Schroeder and Fairley said. Specifically, Schroeder said he would like to work with some of the multi-cultural groups to give KZUU a more diverse voice.
Since it began broadcasting in 1977, KZUU has been a non-commercial station. KZUU is committed to playing music listeners would be unlikely to hear on mainstream radio stations and television, according to Schroeder.
“It’s kind of like plastic surgery,” said Schroeder. “At heart we’re still the same station, still a source for quality non-commercial music. The new equipment is more of a facelift to make the station more professional.”
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