Podcast Summary: Twenty Thousand Hertz – "The Sound of Apple 1.0"

Release Date: July 31, 2024
Host: Dallas Taylor
Duration: Approximately 28 minutes

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Sound of Apple 1.0," Dallas Taylor delves into the intricate world of Apple's sound design, exploring how audio elements have become as pivotal as the company's renowned visual aesthetics. Through insightful conversations with key Apple design team members and creator Kelly Jacklin, the episode unpacks the history, philosophy, and evolution of the distinctive sounds that have become synonymous with Apple devices.

1. Apple's Integrated Design Philosophy

Sound as a Core Element

Dallas Taylor opens the discussion by highlighting Apple's impeccable design, emphasizing that while the visual aspects are immediately noticeable, sound design plays an equally crucial role in the overall user experience.

Billy Sorrentino on Sound Design Integration
Billy Sorrentino, a member of Apple's design team, underscores the foundational role of sound in Apple's product development:

“Sound really is at the beginning of the design process. It isn't a coat of paint at the end.” ([00:40])

He elaborates that the sound team collaborates from the inception of product ideas, ensuring that audio feels intrinsically part of the device rather than an add-on feature. This multidisciplinary team includes audio engineers, classical composers, and spatial audio experts, all working in unison within a cohesive studio environment.

2. Collaborative Creative Process

Unified Studio Environment

Billy Sorrentino explains that unlike other companies where departments operate in silos, Apple's design team functions as a unified studio:

“Really are all together in projects. We all sit together all the time. We work together, we play together, we make together. So it is one studio.” ([01:31])

Hugo Varay on Jamming Together
Hugo Varay, the lead sound designer at Apple, likens the collaborative environment to a jam session:

“Instead of designing sounds for a product that somebody else made somewhere else, you're really working together on this experience that you're designing.” ([01:50])

This synergy fosters a holistic approach to design, where sound seamlessly integrates with visual and physical elements to craft a unified user experience.

3. Philosophies Behind Apple’s Sound Design

Universal Language Through Sound

In an Apple conference, Hugo Varay shares his philosophy on device sounds:

“It's like using a universal language that is already understood by everyone, and it gives our devices a voice so they can tell us things, they can talk back to us. So if your iPhone is playing a sound, what is it trying to tell you?” ([02:04])

He emphasizes that sounds should communicate effectively with users, enhancing the functionality and intuitiveness of Apple devices.

Historical Inspirations: The Minute Repeater

Drawing from history, Hugo discusses how Apple looks to traditional mechanisms for inspiration. For instance, when designing sounds for the Apple Watch, the team was inspired by the 18th and 19th-century minute repeaters—wristwatches with chimes that audibly indicated the time.

“We were looking for a way to create a similar experience in the Apple Watch...create the illusion that what you're hearing coming from the watch is actually a sound that's made inside the watch case itself, rather than coming from the speaker.” ([03:03])

This approach led to the creation of organic, resonant sounds that evoke familiarity and craftsmanship.

4. Evolution of Iconic Apple Sounds

From MacAlert to Heroin

The episode traces the transformation of Apple's alert sounds, starting with the nostalgic MacAlert tones from the 90s. Hugo Varay recounts the 2020 Big Sur update, where the team preserved elements of these classic sounds while infusing them with modern, natural elements:

“We took elements of the old sounds and we sampled those, and we didn't record anything new, and we created new sounds out of these elements.” ([07:04])

One notable creation from this process was "Heroin," a blend of the beloved "Hero" alert with new auditory textures, exemplifying the balance between legacy and innovation.

Kelly Jacklin and the Tritone Alert

Kelly Jacklin, a software engineer at Apple, shares the story behind the creation of the iconic tritone alert sound:

“So SoundJam MP was released, and it sold reasonably well, but nothing spectacular. And then I hear from Jeff that Apple bought it. And then Apple released it in 2001 as iTunes, and it still had the same disc burning sound.” ([19:32])

Originally crafted in 1998 for SoundJam MP, Jacklin's "158Marimba" sound was seamlessly integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, becoming the default text message tone known as "Tritone."

Understanding Tritone’s Musical Structure

Contrary to its name, Apple's tritone is harmonious, consisting of the root, perfect fifth, and octave, diverging from the traditional dissonant tritone interval. Over time, the sound earned the nickname "boodling" for its onomatopoeic quality:

“They called it Tritone for some reason... but Apple's tritone is made up of a much more harmonious set of the root, perfect fifth, and the octave, just like Kelly's original name for it, 158 Marimba.” ([21:04])

Transition to Note and New Sounds in iOS 17

With the release of iOS 7, the tritone was replaced by a new notification sound called "Note," a C on a glockenspiel, chosen for its simplicity and organic quality:

“It's also one of the sounds that is recorded on a real instrument. It's a C on a glockenspiel.” ([23:46])

In 2023, iOS 17 introduced "Rebound" and "Chord," new sounds designed to be gentle and respectful, enhancing user experience without being intrusive:

“The thinking behind rebound is really about being gentle and being respectful and meeting people where they're at.” ([25:07])

These updates reflect Apple's ongoing commitment to evolving its soundscape in response to user needs and technological advancements.

5. Personal Reflections and Impact

Kelly Jacklin’s Journey

Kelly Jacklin reflects on the personal significance of her contributions:

“When I was going to college... this was a fun side project on the weekend for me. So this was, you know, I'm not at work, it's my free time, I'm going to do it the way I want it.” ([27:34])

Her work on the tritone and subsequent sounds has left a lasting legacy, making abstract concepts tangible and recognizable for users worldwide.

The Enduring Legacy of Apple Sounds

Dallas Taylor remarks on the profound impact of Apple's sound design:

“The impact of sounds like tritone and note is beyond compare. Without a doubt, these are some of the most recognizable sounds ever made...” ([28:06])

The episode concludes by acknowledging the deep-rooted connection users have with Apple’s audio signatures, highlighting the company's exceptional sound design prowess.

Conclusion

"The Sound of Apple 1.0" offers an in-depth exploration of how Apple meticulously designs its soundscapes to complement its products' visual and functional aspects. Through collaborative innovation and a respect for historical influences, Apple's sound design team creates audio signatures that are both iconic and deeply integrated into the user experience. Kelly Jacklin’s personal journey underscores the symbiotic relationship between creativity and technology, demonstrating how a single sound can resonate globally, becoming a recognizable part of daily life.

Produced by Nicholas Harter and Casey Emmerling, with sound design by Joel Boyder and Brandon Pratt. Special thanks to guests Billy Sorrentino, Hugo Varay, and Kelly Jacklin.