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
5 snips
Feb 21, 2024 • 31min
Industrial Musicals: The Golden Age of corporate showtunes
Discover the world of industrial musicals, where companies entertained employees with elaborate Broadway-style productions. Hear about the history, significance, and one man's obsession with this forgotten corner of pop culture. Dive into the intriguing tales of bathroom remodeling, corporate art, and catchy songs about products.
Jan 24, 2024 • 26min
Into the Huluverse: The sonic evolution of Hulu
Dan Capstick, member of the creative team at Dix, discusses Hulu's sonic branding evolution, AI testing, and the challenges of creating a memorable sound. The team aims to enhance the viewer's experience and score higher than HBO's logo. The podcast explores the impact of sonic logos and introduces a mystery sound contest.
Jan 17, 2024 • 2min
Welcome to Twenty Thousand Hertz
Learn about the world of recognizable sounds and how professional sound designers create iconic sounds using various techniques and elements. Discover fascinating stories behind recorded car passing sounds on wet pavement and the manipulation of beats and patterns.
Dec 13, 2023 • 46min
Guess That Sound 2023: Tournament of Champions
Three previous winners of the Mystery Sound Game Show compete in this chaotic and hilarious Tournament of Champions. Topics include guessing languages from famous series, TikTok's brand sound, video game sounds, and the history of the Universal Studios fanfare.
Nov 29, 2023 • 26min
Tune Tech: Distortion, sequencers, Auto-Tune, and more
Explore the impact of technology on music production, including the history and impact of distortion, the significance of sequencers and the introduction of the Band Lab app, the rise of auto-tune in music, and how technology has shaped the music industry.
Nov 15, 2023 • 26min
Headphone Handbook: How to pick your perfect pair
Learn how to navigate the world of headphones with this episode. Discover the process of testing and choosing headphones, explore concepts like impedance and shielding, and hear about the potential future advancements in headphone technology. Plus, find out how you can win a t-shirt in a mystery sound contest!
Nov 1, 2023 • 23min
Sounds That Sell: How companies entice us with sonic candy
This podcast explores the power of sound in advertising and marketing, discussing the success of iconic jingles and the influence of sound in creating memorable experiences for consumers. They also introduce a mystery sound contest and share information about sponsors and ongoing promotions.
11 snips
Oct 18, 2023 • 25min
Auto-Tone: What will cars sound like in the future?
The podcast delves into the future of car sounds as electric vehicles become more common, discussing the creation of artificial tones to replace combustion engine noises. It explores the design process for electric vehicle sounds, including nature-inspired solutions and intuitive design choices. The podcast also touches on the intersection of form and function in design, the challenges and solutions for sound in self-driving cars, and the importance of lowering carbon emissions in the industry.
6 snips
Oct 4, 2023 • 21min
Wilhelm Screamix: The sound effect that never dies
Steve Lee, sound designer and film historian, discusses the surprising origin and widespread use of Hollywood’s most famous sound effect, the Wilhelm Scream. From its origins as a joke between friends to its inclusion in iconic films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, the Wilhelm Scream has become a beloved part of movie history.
25 snips
Sep 20, 2023 • 30min
Subtitles On: Why is movie dialogue so hard to understand?
Exploring the challenges of understanding dialogue in movies and TV shows. Discussing factors such as actor delivery, technology, and sound production priorities. Examining filmmaker Christopher Nolan's controversial decision to make dialogue difficult to hear and its impact on the cinematic experience.
