WRPI is the campus radio station at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. We broadcast 365 days a year at 10,000 effective watts from our tower in North Greenbush, New York. Our offices and studios are located on the Rensselaer campus in the Darrin Communications Center. Our programming includes a wide range of alternative and experimental music, cultural and public affairs programs, live local bands, special events and sports simulcasts.

Broadcast Facilities

WRPI is housed in the "dungeons" of the DCC on the RPI campus (a fun nickname associated with the location in the basement of the DCC). WRPI has just undergone a major renovation. The old layout (please refer to the history page and renovation page) was not desireable to the students involved with the club. We currently have two broadcast control rooms, one primary and one backup. Our primary broadcast studio features an R60 audio console (a bit outdated), three CD players, a tape deck, minidisc recorder, and two record players. Our backup studio mirrors the primary studio, but just a little bit smaller. The live-to-air and performance space features a 24-track mixing console and a Mac G5 for digital mixing. There is a lot of talent and effort put into maintaining these facilities.

Music Libraries

WRPI has two CD libraries and one vinyl libraries. Our main CD library houses over 36,000 CD's and is fed with new CD releases weekly. The genres we keep in there are loud rock, indie, rap, and jazz. Our smaller CD library (also known as the "Genre Room") contains compilations, folk/bluegrass, and urban vinyls. Our vault (the record library) has thousands of vinyls, as old as around 1965. No new music is added to this library, but it is an invaluable resource to music of the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Organization is maintained on a "random" basis -- usually once a week a student will organize a part of the library.

Membership

The membership of WRPI is composed mostly of students and also has a number of community members. With student membership on the rise, no new community members are being accepted (more can be found on the history page). Many students join WRPI because they love music, either listening, mixing live recordings, production, or all three of these. Some electrical engineering majors also choose to join WRPI to practice their skills and see real-life applications in the complex electrical infrastructure of the station. To be recognized as a member, one must attend two general meetings (held the first Sunday of the month) and complete at least two work hours (work to beenefit the station).

Programming

WRPI is a non-commercial, free format college radio station. What this essentially means all types of music and public affairs may be aired as desired, but within certain limitations. As a non-commercial station we cannot air commercials or solicit donations. However, we still have a great programming selection. From rock to jazz and blues to public affairs and cultural affairs, we have it all. We now run a nearly 24 hour schedule with many dedicated students. Our special broadcast events include sports, remote broadcasts, Grand Marshall Week debates, and live performances in our studios.