Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: Entertainment

The vinyl records at Radio 1190 moved off the shelves and onto the turntables as the station provided listeners with a full day of vinyl music on Tuesday.

The exclusive day of vinyl records, called Vinyl Destination 2, occurred for the second semester in a row.

"It was so popular last semester, we decided why not? We would like to have it happen every semester," said Stephanie Reininger, a senior geology major and training director for Radio 1190.

This event is a touchstone to remind listeners and DJs of the roots of radio. In an age where many radio stations now move away from CDs in favor of digital media programmed into computers and rarely use the old-school vinyl, it is important not to completely put records away.

Vinyl records have a "softer, warmer sound. If you hear clapping on vinyl, it sounds like clapping. On a CD, it just sounds tinny," Reininger said.

The event is fun for the DJs who volunteer with Radio 1190.

"I'm not limiting myself to one genre. I'm just gonna wing it," said Kate Michalske, a recent graduate from CU's School of Journalism and Mass Communication who was the DJ for the 7-8 p.m. slot.

She was just starting to get into the groove with her first record of the night.

The event is also fun for listeners. The radio station broadcasts over the Internet and draws listeners from around the world. The unique medium of this event encourages many people to call in requests.

"We have a lot more freedom," Reininger said. "Most radio stations wouldn't touch the idea of doing vinyl records all day."

Radio 1190 is able to hold Vinyl Destination because it is not required to perform under a traditional business model. The station raises money with pledge drives held twice a semester. This money comes directly from the listeners. If they like vinyl day, they can get it.

Switching from the regular CD medium to all vinyl does not come without technological difficulties. The station's engineer, senior electrical and computer engineering major Eric Simley, was up until 4 a.m. fixing equipment.

"There is a lot of extra little work that goes on," Reininger said. She spent 12 hours at the station making sure everything went smoothly.

Overall, the station's employees said the day was a success for all involved.

"It went really well. We played new and old records, along with personal collections," said program director Sam Sacher, a freshman open-option major. "The freedom not to use CDs is unique."

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