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
23 snips
Jul 31, 2024 • 27min
The Sound of Apple: Tritones, Chords & Origins
Explore the fascinating world of sound design at Apple, where creativity meets technology. Discover the journey of the iconic Tritone alert, created through musical experimentation and emotional resonance. Learn about the evolution of Apple's signature sounds and how they enhance user experiences across devices. Delve into the unique inspiration behind new notification tones, like a delightful kalimba melody for alerts, and understand the role of sound in forging deep connections with users.
Jun 26, 2024 • 23min
Listener Stories 2024: Auditory Hallucinations & Family Whistles
Listener Stories episode features unexpected sound experiences like auditory hallucinations, amplified heartbeats, and long-lost voices. Stories include a childhood call and response tradition, giving up sounds due to post-concussion syndrome, and newfound sound appreciation post-brain injury.
12 snips
May 29, 2024 • 44min
The dark history of nursery rhymes
Explore the dark history behind famous nursery rhymes, from traditional tunes to modern songs. Discover the emotional power of singing to children and the evolution of children's music. Uncover the science behind developing nursery rhymes for babies and reflect on the importance of music in childhood development.
4 snips
May 22, 2024 • 25min
Sounds of the Deep: Mysteries and threats beneath the waves
Acoustician Al Jones and Professor John Hildebrand discuss the impacts of human-generated noise on marine animals, particularly whales. They explore underwater soundscapes, whale communication, and conservation efforts. The podcast delves into tragic events caused by military sonar and emphasizes the importance of reducing underwater noise pollution for the well-being of marine life.
May 8, 2024 • 23min
Boom Bling: TikTok's sonic guerrilla marketing
Music producer and sound designer from MassiveMusic discuss the creation of TikTok's iconic sonic logo, detailing the meticulous process, covert marketing strategy, and final debate over a single note. The podcast explores the unexpected impact of a dog bark in the logo, TikTok's Sonic DNA strategy, and the fusion of science and art in sonic branding.
Apr 17, 2024 • 27min
Mixing Seth Meyers: Behind the sound of late night TV
Fred Hedemark, Broadcast Mixer for Late Night with Seth Meyers, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of sound production for late-night television. He shares stories of the adrenaline-filled live shows, the meticulous preparation required, and the challenges of working in a high-pressure environment.
7 snips
Apr 3, 2024 • 27min
Untranslatable Words: Guess That Meaning!
Discover the beauty of untranslatable words from various languages in a hilarious and enlightening game show challenge. Explore the depths of unique cultural insights and linguistic nuances, unraveling the meanings behind words like 'fernweh', 'Ubuntu', and 'Litost'. Dive into the complexities of language learning and the importance of fostering connections through diverse vocabulary.
67 snips
Mar 20, 2024 • 48min
Inside Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios
Discover the team behind Hans Zimmer's iconic film scores, including the creative process and secrets of the music in Dune. Explore the innovative sound creation for Dune and Dark Phoenix, the collaboration with Tina Guo, and the unique soundtrack approach for Dune. Learn about the meticulous process of crafting soundscapes and the emotional impact in storytelling.
8 snips
Mar 6, 2024 • 28min
Hidden Sounds of America: NYC Hum & Underground Organ
Discover unique sonic wonders in the US - a hidden art installation in Times Square and a massive organ in a Virginia cave. Learn about the impact of these sounds and the passion behind their creation.
6 snips
Feb 28, 2024 • 24min
All About That Bass: How pop became obsessed with the 808
Explore the evolution of bass in music, from vintage limitations to today's deep tones. Dive into the impact of the revolutionary 808 drum machine on hip-hop and contemporary genres. Discover how One Plus Buds Three enhance the bass experience for richer listening. Learn about the profound influence of the 808 drum machine on music culture and production.
