
Twenty Thousand Hertz
239 episodes — Page 2 of 5

Ep 189Inside Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios
Hans Zimmer is responsible for some of the most iconic film scores of the last 35 years. So how does one person create so much amazing music? It turns out, he doesn’t do it alone. In this episode, Hans Zimmer’s incredible team pulls back the curtain to reveal their extraordinary creative process, and uncover the secrets behind the otherworldly music of Dune. Featuring Raul Vega, Taurees Habib, Suzanne Waters, Tina Guo, and Steve Mazarro. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Listen to NASA's Curious Universe at nasa.gov/podcasts/curious-universe Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/20k. Find the right candidates with a seventy-five dollar sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Try America's #1 ready-to-eat meal kit with fifty percent off using promo code TTH50 at factormeals.com/tth50. Learn a new language with fifty-five percent off at babbel.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/hans-zimmers-remote-control Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 188Hidden Sounds of America: NYC Hum & Underground Organ
All over the world, there are unique and breathtaking sounds that you can only hear in one specific place. In this episode, we travel to two of the most astounding sonic wonders in the United States. The first is a hidden sound installation in Times Square that might be the most visited art exhibit on Earth. The second is an enormous organ built right into the rock of an ancient Virginian cave. These stories originally aired on the Atlas Obscura podcast. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Atlas Obscura wherever you get your podcasts. Get a FREE Netsuite KPI Checklist at netsuite.com/20k. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/auralobscura Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 187All About That Bass: How pop became obsessed with the 808
If you listen to vintage music, one of the first things you’ll notice is the complete lack of bass. But turn on a Top 40 station today, and you’ll hear song after song with deep, sub-ratting bass tones. So how and why did this change happen? For this episode, we worked with OnePlus to tell the story of our collective obsession with bass, and the one device that transformed the sound of popular music. Featuring hip-hop legend DJ Jazzy Jeff and Roland's Paul McCabe. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Buy the OnePlus Buds 3, featuring dual drivers and BassWave enhancement. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/allaboutthatbass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 186Industrial Musicals: The Golden Age of corporate showtunes
For more than three decades, it was common for American companies to put on “industrial musicals” for their employees. These elaborate productions could rival Broadway shows, and featured original songs about the company and its products. And while this music was never intended for the general public, once you hear it for yourself, you might just get hooked. This is a story about bathroom remodeling, corporate art, and one man’s obsession with a forgotten corner of pop culture. Featuring comedy writer and collector Steve Young. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Go to zocdoc.com/20k and download the Zocdoc app for free. Listen to Wondery Class of ‘88 at wondery.com/class of 88. Get 50% off your first Factor order at factormeals.com/tth50. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/industrialmusicals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 185Into the Huluverse: The sonic evolution of Hulu
Today, virtually every streaming platform has a sonic logo, from HBO’s classic “Static Angel” to the iconic Netflix “Tudum.” For Hulu, standing out in such a crowded marketplace has been a process of experimentation and revision. In this episode, we chart the evolution of Hulu’s sonic branding across 5 unique sonic logos. Along the way, the creative team shares unused alternate versions for the first time, and breaks down how they used AI to test their latest sound. Featuring Dan Capstick of DixonBaxi, Matthew Wilcock of Zelig Sound, and Reid Thompson of Hulu. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Get 50% off your first Factor order at factormeals.com/tth50. Get 55% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/20K. Go to zocdoc.com/20k and download the Zocdoc app for free. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/intothehuluverse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to Twenty Thousand Hertz
trailerThe world of sound is full of great stories. To get in touch with your sonic world, follow Twenty Thousand Hertz right here in your podcast player. If you’re already a listener, send this trailer to someone you know would love the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 184Guess That Sound 2023: Tournament of Champions
For our fourth annual Mystery Sound Game Show, we pitted the winners from the past three years against each other. The result? Chaos and hilarity. So unclog your ears, put on your listening cap, and get ready to play along. Featuring Travis McElroy, John Lagomarsino and Emily Jankowski. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to our guests’ podcasts, including My Brother, My Brother and Me, Underunderstood and Endless Thread. Get 15% off an annual MasterClass subscription at masterclass.com/20k. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Go to Zocdoc.com/20K and download the Zocdoc app for free. Get 55% off your subscription at Babbel.com/20K. Start your one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/20K. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tournamentofchampions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 183Tune Tech: Distortion, sequencers, Auto-Tune, and more
From electric guitars to samplers to drum machines and beyond, the music we love is only possible thanks to the technology used to create it. In many ways, the history of popular music is really a history of technological innovation. In this episode, we partnered with BandLab to unpack four inventions that changed music forever. Featuring author and journalist Greg Milner. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Visit bandlab.com/download to start creating and sharing music anytime, anywhere. Buy Greg’s book Perfecting Sound Forever: An Aural History of Recorded Music. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tunetech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 182Headphone Handbook: How to pick your perfect pair
The world of headphones is a deep rabbit hole. With thousands of options and endless technical jargon, it’s hard to know which factors really matter, and which ones are just marketing gimmicks. In this episode, we cut through all of the gobbledygook, and break down the ins and outs of headphones to help you find your perfect pair. Featuring Wirecutter’s resident headphone expert Lauren Dragan. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Explore headphone recommendations from Wirecutter. Buy Dr. Chesky’s Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc. Go to Zocdoc.com/20K and download the Zocdoc app for free. Over at Liquid IV, use promo code 20K at for twenty percent off anything. Start your one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/20K. Get fifty five percent off your subscription at Babbel.com/20K. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/headphonehandbook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 181Sounds That Sell: How companies entice us with sonic candy
Since the earliest days of commercial radio, companies have been using sound to worm their way into our brains. And over the decades, they’ve come up with all kinds of sonic tactics to make us want, crave and remember their products. In this episode, we take a whirlwind tour through the sounds of persuasion. This story was adapted from Under the Influence with Terry O’Reilly. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Send us a message with your Bass Tape memories at hi.20k.org. Subscribe to Under the Influence with Terry O’Reilly wherever you get your podcasts. Enter to win a free Scarlett audio interface at focusrite.com/20khz. Listen and subscribe to Class of 88 on Wondery. Get 15% off an annual MasterClass subscription at masterclass.com/20k. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/soundsthatsell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 180Auto-Tone: What will cars sound like in the future?
The sound of a roaring combustion engine is a fixture of modern life. But as electric vehicles become more and more common, these mechanical sounds will gradually be replaced with artificial tones that have been designed from scratch. And once self-driving cars start to take over, there will be an even bigger need for creative and intuitive sound design. In this episode, we explore the future of car sounds with Audio UX Co-Founder Dexter Garcia and Creative Consultant/Futurist John LePore. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Check out Dexter Garcia’s work with AudioUX. Learn more about designing the Sounds of Rivian. Explore John LePore’s work designing the future. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit babbel.com/20k to get 55% off your subscription. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/autotone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 179Wilhelm Screamix: The sound effect that never dies
For more than seventy years now, filmmakers have been using and reusing a particular scream. Without a doubt, this is Hollywood’s most famous sound effect. Many people even know it by name. But despite how widely-known this sound is, lots of people still don’t know its surprising origin story. To set the record straight, we’ve remixed one of our classic, early episodes. Featuring Steve Lee, sound designer, film historian, and creator of the Hollywood Sound Museum. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Download BandLab for free at bandlab.com/download. Get 15% off an annual MasterClass subscription at masterclass.com/20k. Get 20% off everything at liquidiv.com by using promo code 20k at checkout. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/wilhelmscreamix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 178Subtitles On: Why is movie dialogue so hard to understand?
In recent years, the dialogue in movies and TV shows has gotten harder and harder to understand. No one seems to agree on who or what the main culprit is, much less how to fix the problem. In this episode, we wade into the murky waters of The Great Dialogue Debate, and maybe, just maybe, find a solution. Featuring Production Sound Mixer Tom Curley and Slashfilm Senior Writer Ben Pearson. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit babbel.com/20k to get 55% off your subscription. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/subtitleson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 177Gremlins, War Rigs, & Star Trek Punks
Mark Mangini is one of the most prolific sound designers of all time. He’s been credited on over 150 films, including Indiana Jones, Star Trek, Aladdin, Space Jam, The Green Mile, Anchorman, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dune, and tons more. In this episode, Mark joins us to count down six of our favorite sonic moments from his career, and reveals the secrets behind how these iconic sounds were made. This episode was made in partnership with Pro Sound Effects. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Visit prosoundeffects.com/20k to explore one of the world’s best sound effects libraries, and get your first five sounds for free. Subscribe to INDEPTH Sound Design on Youtube and Instagram. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/markmangini Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 176Do you talk to yourself in your head? (Not everyone does)
Many of us talk to ourselves in our heads pretty much all day long. But it turns out that there are plenty of people who don’t. In fact, thinking comes in many shapes and sizes, and no two minds are exactly alike. In this episode, we explore the peculiar world of how we think, and consider the pros and cons of inner speech. Featuring psychologists Charles Fernyhough and Russell Hurlburt, and lots of 20K listeners. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. To learn more about this topic, check out Charles’ book The Voices Within, and Russell’s book Investigating Pristine Inner Experience. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Visit babbel.com/20k to get 55% off your subscription. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/voiceinside Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 175The Legend of Zelda: Tones of the Kingdom
The original Zelda game featured three melodies that would come to define the franchise: the Secret Unlocked Sound, the Treasure Chest sound, and the classic Zelda theme. Throughout the series, these melodies have been transformed again and again. Each version reflects the hardware it was made for, and Nintendo’s evolving approach to these iconic games. Featuring Thomas of Thomas Game Docs, and Kirk Hamilton of Strong Songs. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Thomas Game Docs on Youtube. Subscribe to Strong Songs wherever you get your podcasts. Enter to win a special edition 50th Anniversary Shure SM7B. Go to masterclass.com/20k for 15% off your annual subscription. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/zeldatones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 174The Legend of Zelda: A Beep to the Past
Music is a quintessential part of the Zelda series. And some of Zelda’s most iconic melodies go all the way back to the original game, on the Nintendo Entertainment System. These tunes were born in an age of 8 bits, and 5 lo-fi channels of audio. But those limitations forced composer Koji Kondo to make them as distilled and powerful as possible. Featuring Thomas of Thomas Game Docs, and Kirk Hamilton of Strong Songs. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Thomas Game Docs, on Youtube. Subscribe to Strong Songs wherever you get your podcasts. Check out more work by DragonDePlatino, who composed the 8-bit version of Boléro. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Visit babbel.com/20k to get 55% off your subscription. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/zeldabeep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 173From Vinyl to Streaming: How music formats shaped our world
The history of recorded sound stretches back over a hundred and fifty years, starting with a device that could “record” a voice on a piece of paper. Today, we can enjoy lossless streaming anywhere we go… but getting here wasn’t easy. In this episode, we worked with Qobuz, the high quality music platform, to chart the history of audio mediums, from cylinders made of tin foil and wax, to vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CDs, and mp3s. Along the way, we explore the innovations and quirks of each format, with memories sent in from our listeners and the 20K team. Featuring Adam Tovell from the British Library Sound Archive. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Rediscover music with Qobuz. Sign up for a 1-month trial period at qobuz.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/fromcylinderstostreaming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 172The secret history of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”
Baseball fan or not, there’s one song that virtually every American knows… or at least, we think we do. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is one of the top three most recognizable songs in the country, next to “The Star Spangled Banner'' and “Happy Birthday.” But if you dig into the lyrics, you’ll find a forgotten message buried among the peanuts and Cracker Jack. This story comes from the Smithsonian’s Sidedoor podcast. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Sidedoor wherever you get your podcasts. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit fastgrowingtrees.com/20k to get 15% off your entire order. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/seventhinningstretch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 171Vocal Stratosphere: The world’s most extreme singing techniques
Our vocal system is incredibly complex. What we call “the voice” starts with very precise movements of our vocal cords, and then goes through an entire “resonation system” that includes our throat, mouth, lips, tongue, and teeth. With enough control over these components, people can do some truly mind-bending things with their voices, creating sounds that feel out of this world—from rumbling lows to piercing highs, and even two notes sung at once. This episode features vocal coach Matt Ramsey and Tuvan musician and throat singer Albert Kuvezin. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Matt’s Youtube channel, Ramsey Voice Studio. Explore Albert Kuvezin’s music with Yat-Kha on Spotify, Apple Music, or Youtube. Visit fastgrowingtrees.com/20k to get 15% off your entire order. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Get your very own Clarett+ 2Pre at focusrite.com. Get a your first month of lossless music streaming free at qobuz.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/vocalstratosphere Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 170Bug Translation Guide: Decoding Buzzes, Chirps, & Clicks
Why do bugs make the sounds they do? And how do they make them? In this episode, we explore the un-bee-lievable world of insect sounds, including crickets who craft tools to make themselves louder, and moths who can jam the natural sonar of bats. By the time it’s over, you’ll never hear these buzzes and chirps the same way again. Featuring entomologists Natasha Mhatre and Nancy Mioreli. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. For more amazing bug facts, subscribe to Nancy’s Youtube channel, SciBugs. Follow Natasha’s research on insect communication at Mhatre Lab. Subscribe to Tumble, the science podcast for kids. Get your very own Clarett+ 2Pre audio interface from Focusrite. Check out headspace.com/20KHERTZ and use promo code 20KHERTZ60 to try Headspace free for 60 days. Get up to 35% off for Mother's Day at masterclass.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/songbugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 169Breathe Deep: How I lost my passion and found my purpose
In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, we’ve revamped one of the most personal episodes we’ve ever worked on. To create it, Dallas worked with the team from Meditative Story to tell a story from his former life as a musician. It’s about losing the thing that had defined his life for more than a decade, and finding something entirely different in the process. This remix concludes with an all-new segment where Dallas reflects on what it was like to finally share this story. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Subscribe to Meditative Story wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/breathedeep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 168The Spatial Race & the forgotten genius who invented stereo
In the 1960s, stereo sound revolutionized the music industry. But it turns out, a pioneering engineer named Alan Blumlein had actually invented stereo a full three decades earlier. Due to tragic events in World War II, his innovations were forgotten for decades. In this episode, we worked with OnePlus to tell the story of how audio has evolved from mono, to stereo, to quadraphonic, to surround sound and beyond. Today, we even have immersive, three-dimensional systems that can simulate 128 speakers using just two. Featuring Alan Blumlein’s son Simon Blumlein, and sound engineer Robin Reumers from the Abbey Road Institute. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Improve your personal sound world at oneplus.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thespatialrace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 167Found In Translation: Guess That Meaning!
Have you ever seen something so cute that you just wanted to squeeze it? Have you ever felt sleepy after a big meal? Or enjoyed bouncing on a puffy cushion? There are words for all of these, just not in English. In this game show episode, 20K producer and resident linguist Grace East cooks up an “untranslatable” words quiz for Dallas and fellow producer Andrew Anderson. How many words can you guess? Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Improve your personal sound world at oneplus.com. Check out headspace.com/20KHERTZ and use promo code 20KHERTZ to try Headspace free for 30 days. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/foundintranslation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 166Why insurance jingles never die
For decades, the jingle was king. But in the last twenty years, jingles have nearly gone extinct. Many brands have now dropped their melodic earworms in favor of spoken word slogans. Today, there’s just one industry where jingles are still as common as ever: insurance. The question is, why? Featuring Jeanna Isham of the Sound in Marketing podcast, audio branding expert Colleen Fahey, and Brand Manager Sergio Trujillo. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. To learn more about sonic branding, subscribe to Jeanna’s podcast, Sound in Marketing, and buy Colleen’s book, Audio Branding: Using Sound to Build your Brand. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/insurancejingles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 165Soundalikes: The secret voice behind Toy Story’s Woody
“Soundalikes,” also called “voice doubles,” are voice actors who perform as characters that were originally played by someone else. They’re used extensively by studios like Disney and Pixar, in order to keep their iconic characters consistent across games, rides, toys, and TV shows. In live action movies, soundalikes fill in for the leads, and record lines for the film’s many rough cuts. But being a great voice double is about much more than just being a good impressionist. Featuring Rick Dempsey, Holly Dorff, and a surprise guest… Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Check out headspace.com/20KHERTZ and use promo code 20KHERTZ to try Headspace free for 30 days. Go to hellofresh.com/hertz60 and use code HERTZ60 for 60% off plus free shipping. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/soundalikes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 164Golden: Finding silence in a world of noise
In a noisy, tumultuous world, how can we find inner peace? This episode features two stories about the transformative power of silence. In the first, the Lieutenant Governor of Washington State abandons politics to become a Jesuit novice, and takes a temporary vow of silence. In the second, a death row inmate at San Quentin discovers Buddhist practices that help to calm his mind, and embrace compassion. Featuring Cyrus Habib, Jarvis Masters, Leigh Marz, and Justin Zorn. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Purchase Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise, by Justin Zorn & Leigh Marz. To learn more about Jarvis Masters, read the story and timeline of his case, and subscribe to the Dear Governor podcast. Go to indeed.com/hertz to start hiring today. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/golden Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 163Recalculating: The surprising lives of GPS voices
The voices inside our navigation systems are with us nearly every day. They frustrate us when they lead us astray, and guide us through our most memorable adventures. But who are the people behind those voices? In this episode, an Australian musician discovers she is the voice inside millions of GPS units, and the Polish voice of Google Maps goes head to head with a robot. Featuring “The GPS Girl” Karen Jacobsen and “Głos Google Maps” Jarosław Juszkiewicz. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Watch Jarek’s farewell video that inspired the online protest. To learn more about Karen's work, visit thegpsgirl.com. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k and sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/recalculating Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 162Guess That Sound 2022: Endless Thread
In our third annual Mystery Sound Game Show, the crew from Endless Thread compete to guess the most sounds from this year’s batch. Get ready to listen along and test your knowledge of classic sci-fi movies, strange animal calls, video game themes, UI sounds, and more. One thing is certain: It’s gonna get toasty. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Use promo code 20k to get $20 off your next purchase over $100 at American Musical Supply. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k to get a free 14-day trial with Shopify’s entire suite of features. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/endlesshertz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 161Synth Showdown: Digital vs. Analog
In the 1960s, Bob Moog and Don Buchla built synthesizers that changed the world. But by the early 80s, they faced a new challenger who threatened to bring it all crumbling down: the digital synthesizer. To defeat this opponent, they’d have to recruit a new ally… and maybe even join forces. Featuring Bob’s daughter Michelle Moog-Koussa, Don’s collaborator Ami Radunskaya, and journalist Ryan Gaston. Watch Welcome to Synth, our first original Youtube video. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Read Ryan Gaston’s tech & music articles on Perfect Circuit’s SIGNAL blog. Find out more about Robert Moog’s work at the Moogseum. To start hiring now, visit indeed.com/hertz. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/digitaldoom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 160Synth Showdown: Moog vs. Buchla
In the United States, the East Coast and West Coast have rivalries across food, sports, music and more. But there’s another rivalry that’s less well known, but just as important. This standoff created sounds that were unlike anything that had been heard before. It redefined what a musical instrument could be. And it changed the sound of pop music forever. Featuring journalist Ryan Gaston and composer David Rosenboom. Watch Welcome to Synth, our first original Youtube video. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Read Ryan Gaston’s tech & music articles on Perfect Circuit’s SIGNAL blog. Listen to David’s Rosenboom’s Buchla music via Black Truffle Records. Twenty Thousand Hertz is sponsored by Better Help. Try online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k and get on your way to being your best self. Use promo code 20k to get $20 off your next purchase over $100 at American Musical Supply. Subscribe to Björk's Sonic Symbolism show wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/synthwar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 159A Thousand Words: Audio description for all!
Audio description allows you to enjoy a movie or TV show without the need for any visuals. But how do these narrators strike the right tone for a scene? How do the writers decide what needs to be described? And what’s in store for the future of described audio? In honor of Blindness Awareness Month, this is a brand new story about the world of Audio Description. Featuring AD Narrator Roy Samuleson and AD experts Thomas Reid and Melody Goodspeed. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Thomas’ podcast Reid My Mind Radio, and Roy’s podcast, The ADNA Presents. Subscribe to Björk's Sonic Symbolism show wherever you get your podcasts. To start hiring now, visit indeed.com/hertz. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/athousandwords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 158The Booj Strikes Back: Why all modern trailers sound the same
In the 80s and 90s, movie trailers were ruled by “voice-of-God” narrators who used stock phrases like, “In a world…” Today, movie studios have a different trick up their sleeves: epic sound design. In this episode, Professor James Deaville explains the history of trailers, and Youtuber Craven Moorhaus crafts a hilarious takedown of the overused clichés of modern blockbuster trailers. We’ve remixed one of our most popular episodes for your listening pleasure. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Use promo code 20k to get $20 off your next purchase over $100 at American Musical Supply. Get 10% off your first month of online therapy with our sponsor BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k. Subscribe to Björk's Sonic Symbolism show wherever you get your podcasts. Visit shopify.com/20k to get a free 14-day trial with Shopify’s entire suite of features. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/boojstrikesback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 157The weird, wild world of 1-900 numbers
In the late 80s and early 90s, 900 numbers were all the rage. For a couple bucks a minute, you could call and hear from Hulk Hogan and Freddy Kreuger, have a psychic predict your future, and even find true love. In this episode, we dig into the wild world of 900 numbers, and explore why they came about, what made them so appealing, and why they ultimately faded away. Featuring Doug Fraser of the Curious State podcast, 900 number experts Bob Bentz and David Wood, and a surprise guest… Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Björk's Sonic Symbolism show wherever you get your podcasts. To start hiring now, visit indeed.com/hertz. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/1-900 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 156Tokyo Rose: World War II’s most controversial radio DJ
In World War II, the Japanese military operated a propaganda station called Radio Tokyo. Along with jazz music, the station featured several English-speaking female announcers, who became collectively known as Tokyo Rose. But who was Tokyo Rose? And was she really the treacherous villain that the US government made her out to be? This story comes from the History Daily podcast. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to History Daily wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about immersive audio production, visit pro.focusrite.com. Get 10% off your first month of online therapy with our sponsor BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k to get a free 14-day trial with Shopify’s entire suite of features. Try out Harry’s with a $3 starter set at harrys.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tokyorose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 155TikTalk: The woman who sued TikTok for using her voice
In 2018, voiceover artist Bev Standing recorded 10,000 sentences for the Chinese Institute of Acoustics. Bev was told the recordings would be used for a translation app, but three years later, she was shocked to discover that she had become the default voice of TikTok in North America. On TikTok, Bev heard herself saying all kinds of wild and inappropriate things. So, she decided to sue. In this episode, Bev tells her story, and we hear from the voice who replaced her. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Listen to Ahead of Its Time, a new podcast by Setapp, on all of your favorite platforms. Get a $75 credit to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/hertz. Find the right doctor, right now with at zocdoc.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tiktalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 154The sonic secrets behind Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso is about more than just an incompetent soccer coach—it’s about overcoming challenges by working together. And that’s exactly what the show’s sound team had to do when the pandemic hit just two episodes in. From creating crowds of thousands using just a few voices, to recording actors in their own closets, they managed to turn lockdown into an opportunity for innovation. Featuring Ted Lasso’s Supervising Sound Editor Brent Findley and Dialog Editor Bernard Weiser. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Try out Harry’s with a $3 starter set at harrys.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k to get a free 14-day trial with Shopify’s entire suite of features. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tedlassosdarkforest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 153Sonic Happiness: A guide to feeling better through sound
We spend a lot of time curating for taste, touch, smell, and vision. But too often, sound gets overlooked. We forget that we can get rid of sounds that annoy us, and surround ourselves with sounds that we love. When we do, it can have huge benefits for our mood and wellbeing. In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos of The Happiness Lab joins Dallas to create a Handbook for Sonic Happiness. Featuring auditory psychologist David Poeppel, psychology researcher Giulia Poerio, clinical psychologist Ali Mattu, sound scholar Mac Hagood and acoustician Trevor Cox. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Listen to more episodes of The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos here. Visit athleticgreens.com/20k to get a one-year supply of vitamin D and 5 travel packs free with your first purchase. Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonichappiness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 152Shock Horror A: The origin of the dramatic “Dun, dun, duuun!”
There’s a certain musical phrase that you’ve probably heard hundreds of times. It’s used to emphasize dramatic moments in movies, cartoons, commercials and musicals, most often as a gag. But while this little melody is everywhere today, the question is: Where did it come from? In this episode, we investigate the mysterious origins of a famous 3-note sting. Featuring Sound Historian Patrick Feaster and Composer Dick Walter. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Read the original article that inspired this episode, by producer & journalist Amelia Tait. Download Overcast in the App Store for a powerful, simple podcast player. Try out Harry’s with a $3 starter set at harrys.com/20k. Visit athleticgreens.com/20k to get a one-year supply of vitamin D and 5 travel packs free with your first purchase. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/shockhorrora Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 151Sleight of Ear: Behind the scenes w/ Dallas Taylor
What does a sound designer do all day? How do noise canceling headphones really work? And why do modern movie trailers all sound the same? In this follow-up to our 150th episode, Dallas shares the secrets of sound design with Jordan Harbinger. They also discuss audio deepfakes, sonic branding, and the eternal argument over analog vs. digital. This interview comes from The Jordan Harbinger Show. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to The Jordan Harbinger Show wherever you get your podcasts. Download Overcast in the App Store for a powerful, simple podcast player. Visit athleticgreens.com/20k to get a one-year supply of vitamin D and 5 travel packs free with your first purchase. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/slightofear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 150Breathe: My Unexpected Journey
What if you woke up one day, and found that you could no longer do the thing that gave you the most joy in your life? The thing that gave you purpose? The thing that defined your past, and was supposed to define your future? For our 150th episode, Dallas tells the personal story of how he lost something that meant the world to him… and how that loss eventually led him to become the person he is today. This story comes from the podcast Meditative Story. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Meditative Story wherever you get your podcasts. Offset your carbon footprint at wren.co. Select "Podcast" at checkout and type “Twenty Thousand Hertz” to get 10 extra trees planted in your name. Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times. Visit zocdoc.com/20k to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/breathe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 149Relearning Boléro: How our brains rewrite the sounds we hear
In the same way that optical illusions can trick our eyes, auditory illusions can trick our ears. This raises a serious question: what is hearing, and how much of it is actually made up by our brains? In this story from the Unexplainable podcast, we explore how our brains create the sonic world around us, and what it takes to harness that mysterious power. Featuring psychologist Diana Deutsch, hearing researcher Matthew Winn and author Mike Chorost. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Unexplainable wherever you get your podcasts. Visit sonarworks.com to get a free 21 day trial of SoundID Reference. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Visit shopify.com/20k to get a free 14-day trial with Shopify’s entire suite of features. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/relearningbolero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 148Ghosts in the Hit Machine: The secrets of musical ghostwriters
Many of today’s biggest songs are written and produced by people whose names don’t appear anywhere in the credits. They’re called ghostwriters and ghost producers, and they’re a huge part of the music industry. So what’s it like to watch your song become a hit when you can’t legally talk about it? And how do you get in the mindset of a legendary rap star, in order to write verses for them? Featuring rapper and ghost songwriter Skyzoo and producer Dame Taylor. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Explore music education classes with Monster Sessions. Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/ghostsinthehitmachine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 147Why Windows Got Rid of Startup Sounds
Part 2 of our series on the Windows startup sounds picks up when Microsoft made the radical decision to kill the startup sound in Windows 8. In this episode, we explore the forces that led to that decision, unpack how Microsoft channeled the music of language into their new UI sounds, and reveal 2 secret startup sounds that were nearly lost to time. Featuring former Microsoft Lead UI Designer Jensen Harris and Sound Designer Matthew Bennett. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Jensen Harris’ Youtube channel. Learn about Matthew Bennett’s latest work here. To check out full sets of default Windows sounds, visit winsounds.com. Offset your carbon footprint at wren.co. Select "Podcast" at checkout and type "Twenty Thousand Hertz" to get 10 extra trees planted in your name. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Visit zocdoc.com/20k to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free. Visit shopify.com/20k to get a free 14-day trial with Shopify’s entire suite of features. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/windowslogonwav Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 146Ta-da! The history of Windows’ classic startup sounds
Over the years, Microsoft has made at least ten iconic startup sounds for Windows—from the triumphant “Ta-da!” of Windows 3.1, to the ambient chime that Brian Eno crafted for Windows 95, to the orchestral sweep of Windows XP. In this episode, we explore the creation of the classic Windows startup sounds through Windows 7, and what each one says about Microsoft’s evolving technology. Featuring former Microsoft Lead UI Designer Jensen Harris and Sound Designer Matthew Bennett. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Jensen Harris’ Youtube channel. Learn about Matthew Bennett’s latest work here. To check out full sets of default Windows sounds, visit winsounds.com. Sign up for a MEL Science subscription at melscience.com/sBGX to get 60% off your first month. This limited offer is available for 1 month only. Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times. Visit zocdoc.com/20k to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tadaitswindows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 145The Waterphone: Hollywood’s spookiest sound effect
For nearly half a century, one eerie sound has been showing up again and again in movies and TV shows. It’s typically used when something spooky or mysterious happens—and it can be heard in Poltergeist, The Matrix, Let the Right One In, and countless episodes of Unsolved Mysteries. So where did this strange sound come from, and how did it spread across Hollywood? This story comes from the podcast Every Little Thing. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Every Little Thing in Spotify. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Visit zocdoc.com/20k to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free. Get one month free of Headspace at headspace.com/20k. Find coupon codes on over 30,000 sites with Honey. Sign up for free at joinhoney.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/liquidterror Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 144Mind the Gap: NYC & London’s iconic transit voices
The voices of subway and train announcements are deeply ingrained in peoples’ lives. Many of us hear them every day, for years on end. And yet, hardly anyone knows who those voices belong to. In this episode, we uncover the human stories behind two of the most iconic transit systems in the world: the New York City Subway, and the London Tube. Featuring NYC Subway announcer Charlie Pellett and Tube announcer Elinor Hamilton. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Subscribe to Tales from the Tannoy wherever you get your podcasts. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times. Get 83% off Surfshark VPN plus an extra 3 months free at surfshark.deals/20k, or use promo code 20K. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/mindthegap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 143Hidden Hitmakers: The unsung heroes behind pop’s biggest hits
The names of pop and rock stars are known by millions of people around the world, but the people who actually write their music often stay in the shadows. In this episode, we peel back the curtain on the songwriters behind some of the biggest hits of the last forty years, and find out how this unseen part of the industry really works. Along the way, we’ll get the inside scoop about working with KISS, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Snoop Dogg, Puff Daddy, and more. Featuring songwriter Desmond Child and rapper/songwriter Gizzle. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Visit zocdoc.com/20k to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free. Get one month free of Headspace at headspace.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/hiddenhitmakers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 142Happy Little Episode: The soothing voice of Bob Ross
In the forty years since The Joy of Painting first started airing, Bob Ross has become a cultural icon. His gentle, soothing voice is instantly recognizable, and still gives comfort to millions of people around the world. But despite his unshakably cheery demeanor, Bob’s life wasn’t always easy. This is his story. Featuring Sarah Strohl, Executive Assistant at Bob Ross Inc., and Kristin Congdon, author of Happy Clouds, Happy Trees: The Bob Ross Phenomenon. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Find coupon codes on over 30,000 sites with Honey. Sign up for free at joinhoney.com/20k. Get 83% off Surfshark VPN plus an extra 3 months free at surfshark.deals/20k, or use promo code 20K. Watch The Sounds of Space, a collaboration between Twenty Thousand Hertz and melodysheep. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/happylittleepisode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 141Pirate Radio: Britain’s AM rebels of the ’60s
In the 1960s, the BBC had a vise grip on British radio, and rarely played the pop and rock music that was all the rage. So a group of rebellious radio DJs decided to give the people what they wanted, and started broadcasting popular music from boats stationed in international waters. Soon enough, these young DJs became national superstars… until the British government decided it was time to sink these pirates once and for all. This story comes from the History This Week podcast. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k. Get 83% off Surfshark VPN plus an extra 3 months free at surfshark.deals/20k, or use promo code 20K. Get your free business banking account at banknovo.com/hertz. Listen to Songs That Shook the Planet at audible.com/songs Subscribe to History This Week wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/pirateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices