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
Apr 12, 2023 • 22min
Found 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
Mar 22, 2023 • 37min
Why 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
Mar 8, 2023 • 30min
Soundalikes: 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
6 snips
Feb 22, 2023 • 34min
Golden: 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
5 snips
Jan 25, 2023 • 32min
Recalculating: 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
Dec 14, 2022 • 53min
Guess 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
8 snips
Nov 16, 2022 • 25min
Synth 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
12 snips
Nov 2, 2022 • 26min
Synth 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
7 snips
Oct 19, 2022 • 30min
A 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
Oct 5, 2022 • 27min
The 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
