Twenty Thousand Hertz – Episode: Sound Off: Pinball Pings, Borrowed Melodies & Airport Acoustics

Release Date: July 30, 2025
Host: Dallas Taylor
Description: The stories behind the world’s most iconic and fascinating sounds.

Introduction

In this special episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz, host Dallas Taylor delves into the remarkable submissions from the "Sound Off" competition, where listeners shared their personal stories about sound. Due to the overwhelming response, the episode is divided into three parts: the Silver Collection (this episode) and the upcoming Gold Collection. This episode features three captivating stories: "Primary Sense G' Day" by Steve Ransley Richardson, "Quiet Airport" by Wesley Slover, and "Borrowed Notes" by Andrew Meredith. The episode also includes unique behind-the-scenes updates from Dallas and showcases the vibrant sounds of the Pacific Pinball Museum.

Story 1: Primary Sense G' Day by Steve Ransley Richardson (03:13 - 08:12)

Steve Ransley Richardson shares his profound relationship with sound, shaped significantly by his condition, osteoporosis pseudoglyoma, which affects his eyesight and skeletal structure. Living in Hobart, Tasmania, Steve recounts how sound became his primary sense from an early age, influencing his career choice as an audio engineer.

Key Highlights:

• Early Connection to Sound: Steve describes how everyday sounds like waves, trains, and even the washing machine sparked his imagination and love for recording these auditory experiences.

  "Sound emerged very early in my life as a primary sense." (03:35)

• Professional Journey: His fascination with recording led him to a 30-year career in the community radio industry, where he works for Reading Radio, focusing on turning printed words into engaging audio content.

• Navigating the World Blind: Steve discusses the importance of audible cues in his daily life, such as train announcements and traffic signals, and techniques like echolocation that aid his navigation.

  "I just use [hearing] differently... Every morning is a blessing when I wake up and hear the sounds around me." (07:04)

• Emotional Connection to Sound: Despite fears of losing his hearing, Steve cherishes the sounds that enrich his life, from bird songs to his wife’s voice, underscoring the emotional depth of his auditory experiences.

  "I never say my hearing's better than anyone else's, but I just use it differently." (07:16)

Steve's story beautifully illustrates how sound can shape one's identity and life experiences, highlighting the intricate relationship between auditory perception and personal resilience.

Story 2: Quiet Airport by Wesley Slover (08:12 - 13:19)

Wesley Slover explores the issue of noise pollution in airports and the innovative steps taken to create a quieter, more pleasant environment for travelers. He interviews Christopher Birch, the Guest Experience Director at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), about the "Quiet Airport" initiative.

Key Highlights:

• Origins of the Quiet Airport Initiative: Faced with complaints about excessive noise from announcements, Christopher Birch led efforts to reduce auditory clutter in the airport.

  "We considered that type of noise to just be part of the airport landscape... we were just trimming the area where they would occur." (08:53)

• Strategies Implemented:

  • Localized Announcements: Restricting PA system announcements to specific gate areas to minimize widespread noise.
  • Eliminating Canned Announcements: Removing regularly scheduled, pre-recorded messages that contributed to the overall noise.
  • Reconfiguring Paging Zones: Adjusting the zoning so announcements are only played where relevant, such as near specific terminals during boarding calls.

  "The fewer announcements that occur, the more likely that customers are going to listen to them." (11:43)

• Impact on Passenger Experience: These changes not only reduced noise pollution but also enhanced the effectiveness of necessary announcements, ensuring passengers paid attention to important information without feeling overwhelmed by constant noise.

  "It was extremely cheap because it did not really cost us anything... we did this by reducing what we could to the point that we got to our goal." (12:17)

• Broader Implications: The initiative demonstrates how thoughtful sound management can improve public spaces, leading to a more serene and functional environment without significant financial investments.

Wesley's exploration highlights the importance of sound design in public infrastructure and showcases how targeted interventions can significantly enhance user experience.

Story 3: Borrowed Notes by Andrew Meredith (13:19 - 28:47)

Andrew Meredith delves into the fascinating world of musical borrowing, tracing how composers throughout history have been influenced by past melodies and themes to create new, innovative works. He examines examples across different eras, showcasing the evolution of musical inspiration.

Key Highlights:

• Historical Perspective: Andrew explains that borrowing melodies is a longstanding tradition among composers, used to evoke specific emotions or pay homage to earlier works.

  "That's just what composers have always done. They take inspiration from the past but add their own twist to it." (13:29)

• Examples of Musical Borrowing:

  • Modern Comparisons: Comparing "Tom Bombadil" from Rings of Power by Bear McCurry to "Centerfold" by the Jake Isles Band, illustrating unintentional similarities.

  • Intentional Influences: Highlighting how Banjo Kazooie’s "Gruntelda's Lair" borrows from John Walter Bratt’s "Teddy Bears Picnic".

  • Classical Inspirations: Tracing back to Brahms' First Symphony influenced by Beethoven's Ninth, and Mozart's utilization of the "Ode to Joy" theme from Beethoven’s work.

  "Hundreds of years, composers and songwriters have been using this melody to evoke feelings of dread and despair. It's called the Dies Irae." (17:39)

• Technological Integration in Music: Andrew discusses how film score directors incorporate borrowed melodies as temp tracks to guide composers, using Danny Elfman’s Pee Wee’s Big Adventure where Bernard Herman drew inspiration from Herbert Stothart’s work on The Wizard of Oz.

• Contemporary Applications: The narrative extends to how modern IP (Intellectual Property) influences pinball machine sound design, underscoring the enduring legacy of musical borrowing in various entertainment mediums.

  "We're not the same. My problem is simple. I love music, but I need volume." (25:18) [Note: This quote seems misattributed in the transcript; it likely belongs to Rob Feecher’s story.]

• Connection to Dies Irae: Andrew ties the discussion back to a previous Twenty Thousand Hertz episode on the "Dies Irae," emphasizing its pervasive influence in evoking specific emotional responses through sound.

Andrew's analysis offers a deep dive into the interconnectedness of musical works, illustrating how the past continually shapes and inspires contemporary compositions.

Additional Segment: Pinball Pings (23:31 - 28:47)

The episode transitions to an immersive exploration of pinball machines at the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda, California. Hosted by Evan Phillippe, the museum boasts over 100 playable pinball machines, ranging from the simple Bagatelle to more sophisticated, celebrity-themed games.

Key Highlights:

• Origins of Pinball: Evan introduces Bagatelle, the 1800s precursor to modern pinball, highlighting its simplicity and the use of metal pins to divert the ball.

  "It's where pinball gets its name, really, because they were pins that were used to divert the ball." (24:20)

• Evolution of Features: From the introduction of flippers in the 1940s' Humpty Dumpty to the addition of bells and lights in the 1950s, Evan traces the technological advancements that transformed pinball gameplay.

• Celebrity-Themed Machines: The 1960s and 70s saw pinball machines featuring celebrities like Elton John, Kiss, and Dolly Parton, enhancing their appeal despite technological limitations in sound and voice playback.

  "These days, just like in Hollywood, everyone wants to focus on well-known IP." (27:36)

• Technological Milestones: The introduction of Gorgar in 1979 marked a significant advancement with the first talking pinball game, using primitive voice chips to add personality to gameplay.

• Modern Appeal: Evan emphasizes how contemporary pinball machines blend original IP with popular culture, ensuring their enduring popularity and relevance.

• Interactive Experience: Visitors can engage with various machines, experiencing firsthand the rich history and sensory delights of pinball sounds, from mechanical pings to thematic melodies.

This segment underscores the symbiotic relationship between sound design and interactive entertainment, showcasing how auditory elements enhance the user experience in gaming environments.

Personal Reflection: A Beautiful Destruction by Rob Feecher (28:47 - 34:00)

Rob Feecher shares a poignant, autobiographical story that intertwines his profound love for music with the physical toll it has taken on his life. From his teenage years immersed in loud music to the gradual loss of his hearing, Rob's narrative is a testament to the powerful, sometimes destructive, allure of sound.

Key Highlights:

• Early Musical Passion: Rob reminisces about his teenage years, secretly enjoying bands like R.E.M., The Waterboys, and The Pogues, and his journey toward becoming a musician driven by a deep need to experience sound physically.

  "I need volume. It's the pairing of the two that really elevates me." (27:30)

• Physical Connection to Sound: At 17, Rob realizes that the physical force of sound, particularly loud music, fulfills a primal need, leading him to embrace a life immersed in high-volume music despite its consequences.

  "Music contains the beauty I so deeply crave, but only volume contains the power to permeate my rough, thick skin." (27:30)

• Long-Term Impact: As Rob ages, his relentless pursuit of loud music results in significant hearing loss, affecting his ability to engage with his family and the world around him.

  "Every time they need to repeat themselves, a little part of me dies inside." (34:00)

• Philosophical Musings: Rob reflects on the essence of his journey, concluding that his quest for profound emotional experiences through sound led to unavoidable personal sacrifices.

  "This is not a story about someone who loves music or about the psychology of sound. It's about a basic human need to feel something so deeply." (34:00)

Rob's heartfelt story poignantly illustrates the intricate balance between passion and personal well-being, highlighting the profound impact of sound on one's life journey.

Production and Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Throughout the episode, Dallas Taylor shares updates about his sound agency, Defacto Sound, and their recent work on the feature-length movie Sketch. He discusses the challenges and achievements of mixing the film in Dolby Atmos, providing listeners with an insider's look into high-level sound design.

Notable Quotes:

• On Dolby Atmos Mixing:

  "I was able to literally make monsters crawl over you in the ceiling." (00:01)

• Promoting Riverside:

  "Riverside is by far the best solution I found for remote video interviews." (Various timestamps during ad breaks)

Dallas also highlights contributions from his team, mentions the winners of the "Sound Off" competition, and promotes his YouTube channel, where fans can find exclusive content and behind-the-scenes footage from iconic locations like Jeopardy, SNL, and Disneyland.

Conclusion

This episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz masterfully intertwines personal narratives with insightful discussions on sound's role in various contexts—from personal identity and professional environments to the evolution of interactive entertainment. By featuring diverse stories and expert voices, Dallas Taylor provides listeners with a rich, immersive exploration of the multifaceted world of sound.

Credits:

• Host: Dallas Taylor
• Story Contributors: Steve Ransley Richardson, Wesley Slover, Andrew Meredith, Rob Feecher
• Production: Defacto Sound, Casey Emerling (Story Editor), Grace East, Brandon Pratt (Sound Design and Mixing)
• Special Thanks: All participants of the Sound Off competition

For more stories and behind-the-scenes content, follow Dallas Taylor on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok under the name Dallas Taylor MP3.