News

As part of an upgrade to the studio and adjoining spaces of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound, Heil Sound Co. of Fairview Heights has donated and installed many high-quality microphones, including 14 PR-30’s. Heil Sound recently partnered with WSIE as an underwriter. 

The new hi-tech equipment will be utilized in the main studio, as well as in smaller production and voice tracking rooms. 

“This is a wonderful thing,” said WSIE General Manager Jason Church. “By my growing up in the area and being a broadcast geek, I’ve known the Heil brand name ever since I was a child. Heil Sound is a legendary name around the St. Louis area, especially within the radio industry.” 

Church is also excited about the impact on Heil Sound’s gift upon students, because while COVID-19 sidelined much of the in-class operations for the station, it didn’t stop the learning process. 

“The main purpose of the radio station from the beginning, 50 years ago, has been student development,” continued Church. “Students get a real-world, hands-on environment to learn in at WSIE. We teach so that students can go on to work in a variety of formats, whether it be traditional radio, streaming, podcasting, YouTube, or you name it. They come here and work on real equipment and learn to present themselves on the air in a professional manner.” 

“Heil Sound has a long, respected history in the St. Louis broadcast market,” said Michelle Levitt, marketing director. “It seemed like a natural and perfect fit to partner with WSIE. I’m looking forward to hearing a broadcast with the new microphones!” 

Heil Sound is the only manufacturer invited to have an exhibit in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Heil Sound has worked with such acts as The Who and The Grateful Dead. The company also provided sound equipment for the legendary Mississippi River Festival. 

WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound is a radio station housed on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Located about 30 miles outside of St Louis, The Sound serves the greater St. Louis region and southwestern Illinois, delivering a rich blend of jazz, smooth jazz, blues and easy R&B, among other complimentary genres of music. The station also offers SIUE sports and community-focused programming including three radio shows –Voices, Financial Café, and Segue – for a widely diverse listenership.

WSIE went on the air on September 4, 1970 as a National Public Radio affiliated station delivering a variety of programming, while serving as an educational platform for SIUE mass communications students. In the 1980’s, WSIE became The Jazz Station, featuring such broadcasters as Leo Chears. WSIE has also produced a long list of highly successful broadcasters including Dewayne Staats, the current broadcast voice of the Tampa Bay Rays. On August 1, 2016, WSIE launched its new brand, 88.7 The Sound providing listeners with a rich blend of jazz, smooth jazz, blues and R&B to create “The Sound.” WSIE is a community supported radio station, which must rely upon its listeners and underwriters to maintain operations. 

Photo:
WSIE General Manager Jason Church.