Twenty Thousand Hertz
239 episodes — Page 4 of 5
Ep 90Cremona: Saving the world’s most prized violin sounds
There’s a town in northern Italy that’s home to the most famous violin makers in history. The museum there holds some of the most unique and prized violins in the world - but we’re in danger of losing their sounds forever. In this episode from the podcast This is Love, Phoebe Judge reports on how a town stayed quiet to preserve an instrument they love. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/cremona Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 89Satanic Panic: Backwards messages and '80s hysteria
From the sixties to the nineties parents worried messages hidden in rock albums would make their children do drugs and worship the devil. The truth could only be revealed if these records were played backwards. Bryan Gardiner unveils the history behind the backmasking panic and Curiosity Daily’s Ashley Hamer explains why our brains hear hidden messages... even when they’re not there! 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 Curiosity Daily Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/satanicpanic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 88Noise “R” Us: The evolution of noisy toys
From See ‘n Say to Speak & Spell, and beyond, toys provide the soundtrack of our childhoods. Huge advancements in computer technology in recent decades mean that today’s toys can make a wider variety of sounds than ever before. In this episode, “The Toy Guy” Chris Byrne takes us on a nostalgic look back at the recent history of recorded sound in toys; then, with Dr. Hamid Djalilian, we consider what all that technological advancement means for young ears in the 21st century. 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 Chris Byrne’s podcast The Playground wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/noiserus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 87Good Vibes: Unlocking music’s hidden power over your brain
We know that music has the power to affect our moods, but you might be surprised by just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Music can affect our brains and bodies in profound ways. Professor Jessica Grahn tells us how our love for music has shaped us as humans while Nate Sloan unpacks our appreciation of music, and reveals how it can be used to manipulate us, both for bad and for good. 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 Switched On Pop wherever you get your podcasts. Also, check out Nate Sloan’s new book, Switched on Pop, wherever you get your books. Follow Jessica Grahn’s music and neuroscience research at the Twitter handle @Neurobeats. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/goodvibes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 864’33”: John Cage’s revolutionary “silent” musical piece
John Cage was a respected composer when, in 1952, he created his “silent piece”, 4’33’’ - a piece that would have the music world scratching their heads. This episode asks whether 4’33’’ is really “silent”, and we explore the history of a piece musicians still talk about today - and speak to the man who campaigned to get it to the top the British charts in 2010. Featuring composers Kyle Gann and Nahre Sol, and artist Dave Hilliard. 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 Kyle Gann’s No Such Thing as Silence: John Cage's 4'33" wherever you get your books. See Nahre’s work at nahresol.com. Find Dave Hilliard on Instragram at davehilliardart. Listen to more of Martin Zalta Austwick’s music at palebirdmusic.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/433 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 85The Seinfeld theme song w/ Composer Jonathan Wolff
No bass for you!! In 1987, TV composer Jonathan Wolff was still trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood. Then one day, he got a call from Jerry Seinfeld, who needed music for his new sitcom. This is the story behind the unforgettable music of Seinfeld, and how Jonathan Wolff’s unique approach helped make Seinfeld a TV classic." 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. Find Jonathan on Instagram and on Twitter. You can reach Steve at stevelack.com Check out An Arm and a Leg wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/seinfeld Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 84Sonic Wonderland: The world’s most incredible sounding places
There’s a reason we call tourists “sightseers”. As a society, we’re totally obsessed with the way things look. But our world is full of beautiful, fascinating and bizarre sounds. Join us on a sonic adventure around the world, as we climb up sand dunes, plunge into the Arctic Ocean, and even travel back in time. When we celebrate these treasures, we become better listeners and the world becomes a richer and more exciting place. Featuring Trevor Cox, author of Sonic Wonderland and Now You’re Talking. 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 and subscribe to Reveal wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonicwonderland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 83Historically Speaking: How language & accent shape your brain
Language is a uniquely human gift. We have shaped it to our individual and cultural needs, and it has shaped us in return. Professor Lera Boroditsky reveals how the sounds we make with our mouths influence what’s going on inside our brains. And podcaster Helen Zaltzmann shows us how important language can be to our identities, and what happens when those language identities are challenged. 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. The Allusionist is on tour! Check dates and locations at theallustionist.org/events. And if you haven’t already, listen and subscribe to The Allusionist wherever you get your podcasts. Check out and subscribe to Risk! wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/historicallyspeaking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 82Vroom Vroom: The symphony of high-performance engines
When was the last time you turned off your radio and just listened to your car? What’s really going on under the hood? We chat with our own Nick Spradlin about the simple force at the heart of every gasoline engine and talk with legendary recordist Watson Wu about how the sound of wild and powerful sports cars are captured. 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 and subscribe to ZigZag wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/vroomvroom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 81Baby Shark: From summer camp song to viral earworm
Baby Shark is a mega viral YouTube video, an unstoppable earworm, a top 40 hit, a Eurodance smash, a decades old campfire song, and the center of an international copyright dispute. In this episode from the podcast Decoder Ring, we explore the strange history of the song, what makes it so catchy, and who it really belongs to today. 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 and subscribe to Decoder Ring wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/babyshark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 80Virtual Choir: 8,000 Voices, One Song
Singing with others is a powerful form of expression. That's why the composer Eric Whitacre started the Virtual Choir; an experiment that connects singers from every corner of the globe. In this episode, we hear how a choir can unite people from different backgrounds to achieve a common goal - creating beautiful music. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/virtualchoir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 79The Price is Right: The drama behind TV’s catchiest theme song
As a young composer, Edd Kalehoff was looking for his break. In the early 70s he struck gold, writing the theme song and music cues for The Price Is Right. 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 The Price is Right Drum Cover on Youtube by RTDUMS2121. Check out and subscribe to Just the Beginning wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thepriceisright Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 78The Loudness War: Can streaming finally end it?
In part 2 of the story of mastering, we explore the consequences of the Loudness War and call out some of the worst offenders. We’ll also hear about the artists and mastering engineers who have been fighting back, and learn how modern listening habits might finally put an end to this sonic arms race. 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 Ian Shepherd’s podcast The Mastering Show. Check out Greg Milner’s book, Perfecting Sound Forever. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/loudnesswars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 77The [COMPRESSED] history of music mastering
Join us on a musical journey from the Golden Age of analog mastering to the digital methods of today. We’ll find out why the music industry became obsessed with loudness, and learn how the digital era transformed the way that music sounds. Featuring Greg Milner and Ian Shepherd. 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 Ian Shepherd’s podcast The Mastering Show. Check out Greg Milner’s book, Perfecting Sound Forever. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/historyofmastering Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 76You’ve Got Mail: The voice behind AOL
How a simple soundbite on America Online became one of the most recognizable sounds of the internet age, plus the creation of a whole new musical instrument. This episode features Elwood Edwards, the man behind the famous AOL “You’ve Got Mail” soundbite, and Bosco and Maya Kante, inventors of the ElectroSpit. 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 and subscribe to Gastropod wherever you get your podcasts. Check out and subscribe to Just the Beginning wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/youvegotmail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 75From Spinal Tap to The Simpsons: Voice acting w/ Harry Shearer
We rarely think about the way we speak. For most of us, it just happens. In this episode, we catch up with two professional voice artists and chat about their rituals and techniques that help them communicate. Featuring voice actor Harry Shearer and NPR vocal coach Jessica Hansen. 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 Harry's podcast Le Show. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/speakeasy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 74Hear Here: The messy history of architectural acoustics
Humans have been fascinated with acoustics since our earliest ancestors. From Roman amphitheaters to modern symphony halls, we’ve designed our spaces with sound in mind. But the relationship between acousticians and architects isn’t always smooth sailing. In this episode, we explore the way acoustics has shaped our history and what we might do to make our spaces sound better today. Featuring Emily Thompson, author of The Soundscape of Modernity and Professor of History at Princeton University, and Trevor Cox, author of Sonic Wonderland and Professor of Acoustic Engineering at the University of Salford. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/hearhere Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 73What makes Stradivarius violins so special?
Stradivarius violins are reputed to have an exquisite sound that cannot be replicated or explained. Why is that? And what, exactly, is a Stradivarius violin anyway? This episode features interviews with The Strad magazine’s managing editor, Christian Lloyd, and violin maker Joseph Curtin. 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. Can you tell the difference between a Stradivarius violin and a modern violin? Take the informal test here! Our classical tracks came from Musopen. Check them out at musopen.org. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/stradivarius Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 72808: The drum machine that changed music forever
The 808 is arguably the most iconic drum machine ever made. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve definitely heard it. It’s in dozens of hit songs -- from Usher to Marvin Gaye, Talking Heads to The Beastie Boys -- and its sounds have quietly cemented themselves in the cultural lexicon. In this episode, we try to understand how that happened and follow the unlikely path of the 808. Featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and Paul McCabe from Roland. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/808 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 71Soundmarks: AT&T, United Airlines, and inventive sonic branding
Companies spend a lot of time and effort perfecting the look of their brands. But now what a brand sounds like matters just as much. We trace the history from songs to jingles to what's called sonic branding, following the creative process that led to AT&T’s iconic four-note sound logo. And we'll explore what comes next: multi-sensory marketing. Can sound change how beer tastes? This episode originally aired on Household Name. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/soundmarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 70Deaf Gain: The promise and controversy of cochlear implants
The last few decades have seen amazing improvements in cochlear implant technology. Professor Michael Dorman reveals what they really sound like, and how they can help out with more than just our hearing. But should we be advocating cochlear implants at all? We chat with deaf graphic designer Brandon Edquist about why he chooses not to use his implant, and why the Deaf community is up in arms against them. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/deafgain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 69Plants That Listen (and some that sing)
Have you ever wondered what your dog or cat would say to you if they could talk? How about your plant? In this episode we explore the world of bioacoustics and cognitive ecology. Featuring MIDI Sprout creator, Joe Patitucci, and ecologist, Monica Gagliano, who is the author of Thus Spoke the Plant. 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 Data Garden’s plant music at datagarden.org. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/plantsthatsing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 68Sonic Illusions: Can you really trust your ears?
What we hear is incredibly personal and we all hear things differently. Sometimes our ears can even play tricks on us. Sonic illusions put a spotlight on the unique function of our hearing and how our backgrounds and biology affect how we process sound. Psychologist Dr. Diana Deutsch and neuroscientist Dana Boebinger explain why our hearing is a unique sense and why sonic illusions can fool us. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonicillusions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 67Mother of Dragons(sounds): Game of Thrones’ bittersweet sounds
Game of Thrones is a global phenomenon that has redefined the fantasy genre. Viewers from around the world gather every week to anxiously watch what will happen next. The actors, writers, directors, and visual artists have all received well-earned recognition for their role in the show. But some heroes’ work goes largely unnoticed. Paula Fairfield is the sound designer behind the more fantastical elements in Game of Thrones. She’s given a voice to dragons, direwolves, white walkers, and more. But the story behind these voices goes much deeper than you might think. Hear how Paula’s personal journey played a part in creating some of the most iconic fantasy sounds of the day, and how Game of Thrones helped restore her spirit. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/mother-of-dragonsounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 66Sound Escapes: Nature’s untouched soundtrack
Over his long career, Gordon Hempton has mastered the art of truly listening. He’s known as the Sound Tracker. Some people call him an acoustic ecologist. His recordings and books have made him an international expert on the beauty and importance of undisturbed, natural soundscapes — and the ways human beings have changed them. Now, Gordon Hempton is losing his hearing. But with that loss has come an intense urgency to share his life’s work — and his passion — with as many people as are willing to listen. 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 the whole Sound Escapes series at BirdNote.org/SoundEscapes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out Gordon’s work and buy recordings on his website soundtracker.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/soundescapes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 65The Voyager Golden Record: Humanity’s message to the cosmos
In the late '70s, NASA launched Voyagers 1 & 2 to explore the furthest reaches of our solar system and beyond. But something amazing was included on those space probes... a 90-minute time capsule of sounds, language, and music from Earth called The Golden Record. Its intended recipient? Any intelligent extraterrestrial life that might stumble upon it. What did Carl Sagan and his team put on the record to represent all of humanity? How would aliens decode it? For the first time ever, the album will be deconstructed track-by-track. Featuring Tim Ferris and Linda Salzman Sagan, two pioneers behind the record. 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 your copy of the Voyager Golden Record at ozmarecords.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/voyagergoldenrecord Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 64Bird Translation Guide: Decoding Tweets, Hoots, & Warbles
When was the last time you stopped and really listened to birdsong? Ever wonder what they’re singing about? We chat to Kenn Kaufman and Dr. Irene Pepperberg about the extraordinary complexity to the avian arias, how they’re produced, what they mean, and how vocal acrobatics can reveal a surprising hidden intelligence. 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 The Growth Show wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/birdsong Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 63Phone Tones: The hidden language of phone number beeps
We unpack how touch tone dialing changed communication forever. Join us on a deep, quirky dive into telephone history. We’ll also deconstruct these sounds and reveal their hidden brilliance. Featuring author Annabel Dodd and telephone aficionado Jim Hebbeln of the Telecommunications History Group. 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 Pessimists Archive wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/phonetones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 62The Booj: The secret sound formula behind blockbuster trailers
Movie trailers have undergone a huge evolution. They’ve gone from those cheesy voice-of-God narrators in the ‘80s and ‘90s, to boojes and bwaas. Professor James Deaville delivers the history of trailers, and Youtuber Craven Moorhaus offers a hilarious takedown of the sounds and dialogue that are common in the modern trailer style. After you hear this episode, you’ll never be able to watch a blockbuster trailer the same way again. 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 more videos from the Auralnauts at youtube.com/Auralnauts. Check out Song Exploder wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thebooj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 61Dining on Decibels: Why are restaurants so noisy?
Have you noticed how loud it gets in restaurants these days? Have you found yourselves shouting just to keep a conversation going? Architecture critic Kate Wagner explains how changing design trends have led to dining experiences that aren’t just antisocial, but are negatively impacting our health as well. 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. Contribute your local restaurant noise to the SoundPrint app at soundprint.co Check out Hi-Phi Nation at hiphination.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/diningondecibels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 60Do Not Disturb: The unseen impacts of alarms and alerts
Alarm sounds have been around almost as long as humans themselves. But as our world has transformed, so have they. Today’s alarms are having an unexpected effect on our minds and bodies, and can even be putting our lives at risk when we’re at our most vulnerable. Dr Judy Edworthy and Yoko Sen talk to us about our alarming sound environment, and how it can be improved. 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. You can find HowSound at transom.org/topics/howsound or wherever you listen to podcasts. Check out Moonshot at moonshot.audio or wherever you listen to podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/donotdisturb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 59Blue! 42! How helmet radio changed the NFL
For decades, NFL strategy slowly evolved from each team running a dozen different plays, to rigid schemes with coaches sending in orders through codewords and secret signals. Then, one piece of audio technology revolutionized the game. Beginning in the early 1990's, the NFL allowed coaches to speak directly to their quarterbacks through radios in their helmets. What followed was an instant increase in excitement for the nation's most popular sport, spawning a high-scoring era of fast paced offenses. Featuring former Super Bowl winning coach, Dick Vermeil, current LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, Bose Senior Project Manager Matt Ruwe, and Bose Distinguished Engineer Dan Gauger. 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 Truth wherever you get your podcasts. Or go to the truthpodcast.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/blue42 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 58Silence: Dispatches from the quietest place on Earth
Our world is filled with sound. It exists in even the quietest corners of the planet. But what happens when all that sound is taken away? What is silence? There are very few places on Earth where silence actually exists, but in this episode, Dallas experiences it for himself thanks to a special room called an anechoic chamber. How do our brains process the complete nothingness of silence? Find out as Dallas locks himself alone inside the chamber. Featuring David Alvord and Nick Breen from the Georgia Tech Research 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/silence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 57A sonic journey through the Solar System
What happens when we leave Earth's thin blanket of atmosphere, and what do other planets sound like? In this special episode, we have completely remixed one of our favorite shows! It's been re-written, re-edited, re-narrated, has new music, and even some new additional content. If you've heard the original, you'll definitely want to check out this remixed and remastered version. Featuring Dr. Lori Glaze, Dr. Keith Noll, Dr. Scott Guzewich from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/spaceremix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 56Boots ’n Cats: The scientific secrets of beatboxing
Beatboxing began as an imitation of a drum machine, but over the decades it has evolved as a means to emulate any number of percussive sounds. Now beatboxing is being studied by scientists who are fascinated by the vocal dexterity of artists. By examining beatboxing scientists are hoping to unlock mysteries behind language formation, brain function, and the capacity of humans to recreate sound. Featuring Hip Hop Artist and Beat Boxer, Baba Israel and USC Engineering Professor, Shri Narayanan. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/bootsncats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 55Being George Clooney: Dubbing Hollywood celebrities
Hollywood films are huge internationally. But how are these films adapted for foreign languages? We delve into the not so talked about process of dubbing. Featuring the world's most popular voice actors, directors, and producers. Featuring: Andre Sogliuzzo, John Ptak, Shaktee Singh, Debra Chinn, Martin Umbach, Tamer Karadagli, Francesco Pannofino, Detlef Bierstedt, Marco Antonio Costa, Paul Dergarabedian, Rajesh Khattar, Christian Brückner, Emanuela Rossi, Chiara Barzini, Irene Ranzato, Claudia Urbschat-Mingues, Alexandre Gillet, Ezra Weisz, Vanessa Beltran, Samuel Labarthe, Ashwin Mushran, Chuck Mitchell, Christoph Bregler, Gabrielle Pietermann, Luise Helm, Claudia Gvirtzman Dichter, Guilherme Briggs, Samuel Labarthe, Hester Wilcox, Malavika Shivpuri, Viraj Adhav, Mona Shetty, Sheila Dorfman. A huge thanks to Director Paul Mariano for allowing us to create this adaptation of documentary! If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll love the full documentary. You can find it on iTunes or on Amazon. Thanks to APM Music for all of the music in this episode. Find out more at apmmusic.com. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/beinggeorgeclooney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 54The Xbox Startup Sound: Crafting a console classic
The Xbox startup sound is an audio logo that’s become synonymous with the game console. But its origins are rooted in solving a logistical problem; how to entertain gamers while they wait for their machines to finish booting up. Featuring Sound Designer and Composer Brian Schmidt and Sound Designer, Composer and Berklee Professor, Michael Sweet. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/xboxstartupsound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 53Theater for the Mind: The Golden Age of radio dramas
The "golden age of radio drama" may have been a stellar period for storytelling -- but the stories weren't all golden bright. Sci-fi and horror radio dramas explored deep anxieties people felt from the Depression through the Cold War, and set the stage for later stories that couldn't be told yet without special effects. Eric Molinsky of the podcast Imaginary Worlds co-hosts this episode as we hear from historians like Neil Verma and Richard J. Hand, and radio drama veterans like Dirk Maggs and Richard Toscan. Plus Emory Braswell recalls the day he thought Martians invaded New Jersey. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/theaterforthemind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 52Theremin: The instrument that defined classic sci-fi & horror
If you've ever watched an old sci-fi or horror film, you've probably heard the hair-tingling, alien sounds of the Theremin. It's a spooky, strange instrument that's played without being touched, and has become a staple for classic horror movies. This is the story of the Theremin's mysterious journey. Featuring Thereminist Rob Schwimmer, Michelle Moog-Koussa, daughter of Bob Moog and Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation, and Albert Glinsky, courtesy of Moog Music. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/leontheremin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 51Cartoon Sound Effects: From Steamboat Willie to The Jetsons
Cartoon sound effects are some of the most iconic sounds ever made. Even modern cartoons continue to use the same sound effects from decades ago. How were these legendary sounds made and how have they stood the test of time? Featuring Oscar-winning sound designer Mark Mangini of the Formosa Group, and Advantage Audio’s Heather Olsen. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/cartoon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 50Behind the Mic: The making of Twenty Thousand Hertz
50 episodes! When we launched this podcast two years ago, we never imagined our passion project would come this far. To mark the occasion, we’re taking a peek behind the scenes of the show. Join the Defacto Sound team as they take you into the inspiration, creation, and people behind Twenty Thousand Hertz. 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. If you're looking for another great podcast, check out Moonshot. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/50th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 49Jingles: How they hooked us and why they vanished
Odds are if we asked you sing your favorite advertising jingle from when you were a kid, you’d be able to recall every single lyric. Yet we don’t hear many advertising jingles these days. Why is that? This is the story of the rise, fall, and brain science of the jingle. In this episode we talk to UCLA’s Timothy D. Taylor, author of The Sounds of Capitalism, and Durham University’s Kelly Jakubowski. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/jingles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 48“Intel Inside” and other sonic branding brilliance
We are constantly exposed to sonic branding in television, radio, and web commercials. We deconstruct some of the most impactful audio logos in history and explain how the brain interprets them. Featuring Scott Simonelli, CEO of Veritonic and Walter Werzowa, founder of Musikvergnuegen. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonicbranding Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 47Loop Groups: The art of movie background chatter
Invisible actors create worlds of sound in everything you watch - from Jaws to The Wire. With special guests, Carl Gottlieb, screenwriter and author of "The Jaws Log"; Dann Fink, loop group director and co-owner of Loopers Unlimited; Stuart Stanley, Sound Supervisor; loop group members Eboni Booth, Dennis Carnegie, Axel Avin, Jr., Shannon Burkett, Daphne Gaines, and Rashad Edwards; and Will Ralston, supervising sound editor for The Wire, The Deuce, and Treme. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/loopgroups Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 46Slot Machines: The addictive power of sound
What do you hear when you walk into a Casino? It can feel like chaos, but each sound is carefully curated to draw you in and make you stay. One collection of sounds are scientifically and artistically designed to keep the gambler, gambling. Slot machines. This episode features interviews with Willie Wilcox, Chief Sound Designer at Scientific Games in Las Vegas, Laura Taylor, composer and sound designer for a number of slot machines across the US, and Karen Collins, who has led extensive research into the sound and music behind these games. Is it addiction or entertainment? Maybe it's both. Pull the lever and listen for yourself. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/slotmachines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 45Misophonia: Why we can't stand certain sounds
The way our brains process sound affects the way we respond to sound. This episode is about why that happens in those who suffer from misophonia, the hatred of certain sounds. Featuring researcher Dr. Phillip Gander, psychologist Dr. Ali Mattu, and misophonics Meredith Rosol and Josh Furnas. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/misophonia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 44THX Deep Note Part 2: How a lost file shaped movie history
Whether you're 6 years old, or 96 years old, one of the most memorable parts of going to the movies for the last three decades has been the THX "Deep Note" trailer. Unfortunately, they lost the original sound file. What happened? Also, what do sound designers & musicians think about it? Featuring Andy Moorer, creator of “The Deep Note” and global director of marketing for THX, Rob Cowles. The episode also features Musician, Producer and Professor Thomas Dolby, and Scott Simonelli, the founder of Veritonic. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thxdeepnote2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 43The THX Deep Note: From chaos to cinematic legend
Since 1983 one of the most memorable parts of going to the movies has been the THX certification played during the previews. The accompanying sound logo called “The Deep Note” has fascinated, terrified, and mystified audiences for over three decades. What is THX really? How was “The Deep Note” created? And why does it elicit such a reaction from those who hear it? Featuring Andy Moorer, creator of “The Deep Note” and global director of marketing for THX, Rob Cowles. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thxdeepnote Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 42Amen Break: The world’s most sampled drum beat
There’s a sample of music that’s been heard in over 2,000 songs. Odds are you’ve heard it many times and didn’t even realize you were listening to the same breakbeat. The amen break might be the most sampled piece of music in history. Where did it come from? This episode features interviews with artist Nate Harrison and Grammy-winner Richard Louis Spencer. 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 amen.20k.org to donate to Richard Louis Spencer. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/amenbreak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 41Ultrasonic Tracking: Are our phones really listening to us?
Did you know your phone is a really good listener? Apps on your phone might be sending and receiving data over ultrasound. Ultrasonic communication is used for everything from tracking your daily habits to enabling light shows at music festivals. We hear from Yale Privacy Lab's Sean O’Brien and Michael Kwet, and privacy and technology counsel Katie McInnis. We also discuss the more positive uses of data over sound with LISNR CEO and co-founder Rodney Williams. 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. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/ultrasonictracking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices