Twenty Thousand Hertz
Dallas Taylor
The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds.
Whether you're a professional audio engineer with decades of experience, a fourth grader who loves sound and music, or anyone in between, Twenty Thousand Hertz will help unlock your sonic world… from the sound design secrets of hit movies, to the sonic craft of jingles and device sounds, to the forgotten backstories of classic theme songs, to linguistic mysteries, psychoacoustics, video game music, animal communication, and beyond. With moving human stories, immersive sound design, and the guiding voice of host Dallas Taylor, Twenty Thousand Hertz has grown into the world’s leading podcast about sound.
New to the show? Start here:
• I'm Lovin' It: How “Ba da ba ba ba” took over the world
• The Art of Foley: Bringing Slimer & Batman to life
• Tudum! The story behind the iconic Netflix sound
• The Legend of Zelda: A Beep to the Past
• Inside Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios
• A sonic journey through the Solar System
• Mind the Gap: NYC & London’s iconic transit voices
Whether you're a professional audio engineer with decades of experience, a fourth grader who loves sound and music, or anyone in between, Twenty Thousand Hertz will help unlock your sonic world… from the sound design secrets of hit movies, to the sonic craft of jingles and device sounds, to the forgotten backstories of classic theme songs, to linguistic mysteries, psychoacoustics, video game music, animal communication, and beyond. With moving human stories, immersive sound design, and the guiding voice of host Dallas Taylor, Twenty Thousand Hertz has grown into the world’s leading podcast about sound.
New to the show? Start here:
• I'm Lovin' It: How “Ba da ba ba ba” took over the world
• The Art of Foley: Bringing Slimer & Batman to life
• Tudum! The story behind the iconic Netflix sound
• The Legend of Zelda: A Beep to the Past
• Inside Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios
• A sonic journey through the Solar System
• Mind the Gap: NYC & London’s iconic transit voices
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 1, 2021 • 28min
The Static Angel: How HBO perfected its sonic identity
In part 2 of our series on HBO, we explore the tough questions that the company faced in the digital era: Are people still willing to sit through a 90-second theme song before they watch a movie? Does the sound of analog TV static even make sense to younger viewers? Could the company change with the times without losing the nostalgia they had built around their key sounds? Featuring composer Ferdinand Jay Smith, former HBO Executive Vice President Bruce Richmond, HBO and HBO Max Head of Brand Marketing Jason Mulderig, and Made Music Studio Creative Director Mickey Alexander.
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 your donation of up to $250 matched at givewell.org. Just select "Podcast" at checkout, then enter “Twenty Thousand Hertz.”
Check out SONOS at sonos.com.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/hbo20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 17, 2021 • 26min
It’s Not TV: Behind HBO’s legendary sounds
In the 1980s, every movie that aired on HBO began with a truly epic theme song—a sweeping orchestral piece that triggers instant nostalgia for anyone who grew up with it. Then in the 90s, HBO introduced a 5-second audio logo for their original content. Today, we associate that sound with some of the most groundbreaking TV shows of all time. In this episode, we reveal the story behind the creation of these two iconic sounds. Featuring composer Ferdinand Jay Smith and former HBO Executive Vice President Bruce Richmond.
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.
Visit zocdoc.com/hertz to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free.
Check out SONOS at sonos.com.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/itsnottvitshbo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 10, 2021 • 43min
One simple trick scientists say will stop snoring
If you’re a human being, chances are, you know someone who is a big time snorer. You're falling asleep to the gentle sounds of crickets, and then BAM, you hear a snore that sounds like an angry troll. So who was the first snorer? And why is snoring still so popular after all these years? This story, which is definitely about snoring, comes from the podcast Endless Thread.
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 Endless Thread wherever you get your podcasts.
Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k.
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com. Just click the microphone at the top right corner and type the promo code 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.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/zzz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 27, 2021 • 29min
Creature Speakers: The art of voicing monsters
To give voices to the frightening monsters in movies, TV shows, and video games, sound designers often start with animal noises, then apply all kinds of creative processing. But other times, these sounds begin with human voice actors, who absolutely shred their vocal cords for our entertainment. In this episode, we learn the tricks of the terrifying trade. Featuring voice actors DB Cooper and Michael Schwalbe, and sound designer/composer Jordan Chin.
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 Monster Train and its soundtrack on Steam.
Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k.
Visit zocdoc.com/hertz to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free.
Get 20% off The Prisoner Wine Company (plus shipping included) at theprisonerwine.com/hertz.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/creaturespeakers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 13, 2021 • 27min
How blind gamers are changing the world of video games
In the past, video games were largely inaccessible to people with visual impairments. But these days, game makers are adding all kinds of innovative options to make their games more accessible. And some developers are creating entire virtual worlds using nothing but sound. Featuring streamer & game consultant Steve Saylor and disability rights advocate Connor Scott-Gardner.
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 a one-month free trial of a Premium Membership at skillshare.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.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/videolessgames Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 29, 2021 • 24min
Sports Without Sight: The sound-driven world of blind athletes
Playing a sport without sight might sound impossible. But it turns out, there are blind athletes all around the world doing exactly that. Instead of using their eyes, these players rely on their ears to hit a pitch, block a throw, and charge across a crowded field. Featuring beep baseball player Ethan Johnston and goalball coach Keith 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.
Download the Be My Eyes mobile app for iOS or Android.
To learn more about how to get involved with goalball, visit USABA.org
To get involved with beep baseball, check out NBBA.org
Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k.
Get your free business banking account at banknovo.com/hertz.
Visit zocdoc.com/hertz to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/blindsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 snips
Sep 15, 2021 • 30min
Sound Cinema: Experiencing film through audio description
When Matthew Shifrin was growing up, his blindness meant that trying to enjoy a movie or TV show was often a confusing and frustrating experience. But then, Matthew discovered something called video description—an extra audio track where a narrator describes the action on screen. And suddenly, everything changed. This story comes from the Radiotopia podcast Blind Guy Travels.
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 at betterhelp.com/20k.
Visit monday.com/podcast for your free two-week trial.
Subscribe to Blind Guy Travels wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/listeningtothemovies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 1, 2021 • 27min
Sonic Bubbles: Escaping noise, but at what cost?
For over a century, humans have been using technology to shape our sonic environment. White noise machines, nature recordings, noise canceling headphones and high-tech hearables all allow us to create an auditory safe space we can escape into. But is it possible to have too much control over what you hear? Featuring media studies professor Mack Hagood.
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 Hush: Media and Media and Sonic Self-Control, by Mack Hagood.
Subscribe to Phantom Power wherever you get your podcasts.
Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k.
Visit monday.com/podcast for your free two-week trial.
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com. Just click the microphone at the top right corner and type the promo code 20k.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonicbubbles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 18, 2021 • 25min
Domestic Symphony: Why your dryer has a theme song
Not long ago, our home appliances made nothing but abrasive beeps and harsh buzzes. In recent years though, these devices have started to chirp and sing with carefully designed tones and melodies. But crafting the "perfect" device sound takes skill, patience, and a lot of trial and error. Featuring Audiobrain Founder/Executive Producer Audrey Arbeeny, and Quiet Mark Founder Poppy Szkiler.
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 check out Audrey Arbeeny’s work at audiobrain.com.
To learn more about Poppy Szkiler’s work, visit Quietmark.com.
Check out Melissa DeGroff’s Youtube channel here.
Visit monday.com/podcast for your free two-week trial.
Visit zocdoc.com/hertz to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/domesticsymphony Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 4, 2021 • 16min
The mysterious “Windsor Hum” is finally solved!
In 2011, residents of Windsor, Ontario started experiencing a strange rumbling hum that rattled dishes and kept people awake at night. Then, after years of getting nowhere, the mystery of the Windsor Hum was finally solved... Or was it? This is a totally remixed, revoiced, and updated version of one of our oldest and most popular episodes. Featuring documentary filmmaker Adam Makarenko.
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.
Visit monday.com/podcast for your free two-week trial.
Get a one-month free trial of a Premium Membership at skillshare.com/20k.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/thewindsorhum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
