A lovingly crafted podcast that reveals the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds.
Perfect Pitch
People with perfect or "absolute" pitch hear every single sound as precise musical notes. Is this extraordinary talent a blessing or a curse? In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience, pluses and pitfalls of absolute pitch. Featuring neuroscientist Daniel Levitin and Grammy-winning musician Jacob Collier. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Discover more at lexus.com/curiosity. Check out Barnaby Martin’s YouTube channel, Listening In. Order Daniel Levitin’s book, This Is Your Brain On Music. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/perfectpitch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tyrannosaurus FX
When you imagine the sound of a dinosaur, you probably think of a scene from the Jurassic Park movies. How do sound designers make these extinct creatures sound so believably alive? And what does modern paleontology tell us about what dinosaurs REALLY sounded like? Featuring Jurassic World sound designer Al Nelson, and paleontologist Julia Clarke. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Discover more at lexus.com/curiosity. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tyrannosaurusfx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napster
In less than two years, Napster became a global sensation... and then record labels and multi-platinum artists brought it crashing down. But in its short lifespan, Napster transformed our ideas about how we consume music, and how much we're willing to pay for it. This story comes from the podcast Spectacular Failures. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Subscribe to Spectacular Failures wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/napster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Vocal Discords
Musicians like Justin Timberlake, Adele, Björk and Rod Stewart have all had surgery to treat vocal nodes. Nodes are so widely discussed, they've almost become a boogeyman in the singing community. But is this condition really as common as people fear? And when nodes do develop, is all hope truly lost? Featuring vocal coach Katie Talbot and Professor and Chairman of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at Drexel University of Medicine Dr. Robert Sataloff. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Learn how you can protect your voice at nidcd.nih.gov. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/vocaldiscords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Deepfake Dallas
Using artificial intelligence, someone can make an algorithm that sounds just like you. And then they can say... whatever they want you to say. We're entering a brand new era: One where you can no longer trust your ears. Welcome to the world of audio deepfakes. Featuring deepfake wizard Tim McSmythurs, cybersecurity expert Riana Pfefferkorn and a brand-new host: Deepfake Dallas. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/deepfakedallas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The City That Never Sleeps
When writer Paige Towers moved to one of the loudest cities in the world, she found herself overcome with anxiety and depression. She came to realize that the noise of the city itself, and the inability to escape from it, was making a huge impact on her mental health. With the help of the internet, Paige was able to discover a deceptively simple solution. But the negative health implications of noise pollution are anything but simple. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/citythatneversleeps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ta-dum! It's Netflix
The Netflix ta-dum sound has quickly become one of the most iconic sound logos of our generation. I bet you can hear it in your head right now. This sound is heard countless times, every single day, all over the world. But the Netflix sound was almost very different than the one we know today. Hear the story of how one of the biggest sound logos of all time was made. Featuring Todd Yellin - VP of Product at Netflix, Tanya Kumar - Brand Design Lead at Netflix, and Lon Bender and Charlie Campagna from the Formosa Group. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/netflix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
McElroys, Mysteries and Me
Join Dallas and the McElroy brothers (hosts of My Brother, My Brother and Me) as they compete to see which brother has the best ear. We dust off our old mystery sounds to test the McElroy's on their knowledge of pop culture, science, and the mundane. Which brother has the best ear? Find out, in this heated and hilarious game... of mystery sounds. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out the McElroy brothers' podcasts My Brother, My Brother, and Me and The Adventure Zone at themcelroy.family or wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/mcelroysmysteriesandme Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hamilton Remix
Broadway’s award-winning, record-breaking, smash hit, Hamilton, is a musical unlike any other. In this special episode, we have re-voiced, remixed, and remastered one of our shows about our favorite broadway musical! Featuring Nevin Steinberg, Hamilton’s Tony-nominated sound designer, Benny Reiner, Grammy-winning Hamilton percussionist, Anna-Lee Craig, Hamilton on Broadway A2, and Broadway sound design legend Abe Jacob. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/hamiltonremix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stop... Collaborate & Listen
Can you steal from yourself? Can you copyright a mood? We look back on some important copyright cases that could have an impact on the entire future of music making. Featuring Adam Neely and Sandra Aistars. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Adam’s Youtube channel. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/stopcollaborateandlisten Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Copyrights & Wrongs
Most western music is built on the same 12 notes. Sometimes the arrangement of those notes sounds similar, which raises the question: Theft or Inspiration? We listen to some famous copyright disputes and try to decode them. Featuring Adam Neely and Sandra Aistars. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Adam’s Youtube channel. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/copyrightsandwrongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Makin' Whoopee!
Farts have been funny to humans for thousands of years. This basic bodily function has countless nicknames around the world, but our fascination with farts is probably best illustrated by the simple whoopee cushion. In this episode from the podcast Brought to You By, Charlie Herman reports on the history of the whoopee cushion and why we can't help but laugh when we hear that sound. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Subscribe to Brought to You By wherever you get your podcasts. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/makinwhoopee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pew Pew
When you think about Star Wars, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Lightsabers? Spaceships? Alien creatures? What about all of the sounds that go with those things? How were those sounds made, and what makes them so good? In this episode, we explore how legendary Sound Designer Ben Burtt created the sonic universe of Star Wars from scratch, one sound at a time. Featuring Marshall McGhee. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Marshall’s Youtube channel Waveform. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/pewpew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
That's All Folks!
Mel Blanc is a legendary voice actor who voiced more than 400 distinct characters. But in 1961, Mel was involved in a potentially fatal car accident. In this episode, we discover the unlikely source that saved him and hear how Mel spent his later years. Plus, we explore what it takes to pass the torch. Featuring interviews with Mel’s son, Noel Blanc, and voice actor Bob Bergen. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. We’re nominated for two Webbys! Vote for us at vote.20k.org and voteagain.20k.org! Discover Bob’s work at bobbergen.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thatsallfolks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ehh... What's Up, Doc?
Bugs Bunny, Barney Rubble, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, and many more were all voiced by one man, Mel Blanc. Discover the incredible life and talent that helped to elevate the animation industry into big business. Featuring interviews with Mel’s son, Noel Blanc, and voice actors Debi Derryberry and Bob Bergen. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound, and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, & Reddit. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out more of Debi’s work at debiderryberry.com. Discover Bob’s work at bobbergen.com. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/whatsupdoc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices