The SoCal Sound is the member-supported public radio station of California State University, Northridge, playing a Triple-A music format on 88.5 FM (KCSN Northridge and KSBR Mission Viejo) across Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The SoCal Sound is a member-supported, nonprofit public radio station broadcasting from the campus of California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Its Triple-A (adult album alternative) music format blends established, emerging and local artists, with live in-studio sessions and artist interviews during the week and specialty programs on weekends covering folk and roots, rock, funk, neo-soul and more. The station describes its mission as music discovery.
The station is heard on 88.5 FM through two signals: KCSN, licensed to CSUN in Northridge, and KSBR in Mission Viejo, which have simulcast The SoCal Sound since 2017 and together serve Los Angeles and Orange counties and parts of Ventura County. In February 2026 Saddleback College agreed to donate the KSBR license to CSUN, pending FCC approval, which would bring both signals under the university. The station also streams online and through its app, and carries Bilingual Sounds on its HD2 channel.
KCSN first signed on in 1963 as KEDC-FM and has used the KCSN call letters since 1973. After two decades as a classical station it moved to a rock-based format in 2010, took the 88.5 FM name when the KSBR simulcast began in 2017, and became The SoCal Sound in 2022. Its studios are in CSUN's Valley Performing Arts Center.
The station is overseen by The University Corporation, CSUN's nonprofit auxiliary, and its openings are posted on CSUN's careers site. It hires for on-air hosting, promotions, membership, technical work and office administration, and it also offers internships.
