Podcast
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Hosted by Dallas Taylor · EN
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
• Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo's 8-Bit Masterpiece
• Inside Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios
• A sonic journey through the Solar System
• Mind the Gap: NYC & London’s iconic transit voices
58episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inside Imagineering: How Sound Powers Disney Magic
Oct 2200:25:41Summary readySound is a crucial part of what makes Disney parks feel magical… and it all starts inside the closely-guarded rooms of Walt Disney Imagineering. In this episode, Imagineers John Dennis and Greg Lhotka break down how they use music and audio to bring attractions to life, from speaker systems hidden in rock work, to the intricate timing of a Frozen water ride. Then, they reveal the surprising story of how one of Disney’s most iconic songs got a brand new verse, more than half a century after its debut. Watch Dallas' trip to Walt Disney Imagineering on Youtube. 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. Explore incredible speakers, soundbars and more at sonos.com. Visit quince.com/20k for free shipping on your order & 365 day returns. Find a therapist who takes your insurance at growtherapy.com/20k. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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He's Mixed SNL for 40 Years
Oct 800:35:39Summary readyBehind Saturday Night Live, there’s a small army of audio professionals making the whole thing sound effortless. In this episode, Dallas goes behind the scenes at Studio 8H to meet Robert Palladino, who’s mixed SNL for 40 years… and is about to do it one last time. Along the way, he gets an unprecedented look at how this legendary show is mixed, and talks to the new Production Mixer Fred Hedemark about stepping into Bobby’s shoes. Watch Dallas' trip to SNL on Youtube. 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, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Learn more about Fred Hedemark’s work at audiofred.com. Find a therapist who takes your insurance at growtherapy.com/20k. Get 3 months of free payroll at gusto.com/20k. Visit quo.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months of buisiness phone software. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Nursery Rhyme That Ruined a Rock Band
Sep 2400:32:47Summary readyWhen a quiz show host asked a simple question about nursery rhymes, it seemed like harmless fun. But that moment triggered a lawsuit that would threaten to bring down one of Australia’s most iconic rock bands. In this story from the Cautionary Tales podcast, we follow the unlikely court case of Men At Work’s “Down Under,” exploring the fine line between inspiration and infringement, and the collateral damage of copyright. Follow Cautionary Tales wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe on YouTube to see our new 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, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Find a therapist who takes your insurance at growtherapy.com/20k. Get 3 months of free payroll at gusto.com/20k. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sound Off (Gold): Transit Tunes & Childhood Chimes
Sep 1000:28:11Summary readyWe’re proud to present the winning entries from our Sound Off competition: five listener-made short stories that rose to the very top. From clever tinnitus tonics to melodic subway signals, from mischievous church bells to a guitar that speaks in whispers, this Gold Collection is rich with emotion, originality, and sonic craft. Subscribe on YouTube to see the latest in our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Explore Defacto Sound's work at defactosound.com. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Visit quince.com/20k for free shipping on your order & 365 day returns. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Yahoo! The Yodel Heard Around the World
Aug 2700:25:39Summary readyIt’s one of the quirkiest, most iconic sonic logos ever: a four-note vocal flourish that defined the early internet. In this episode, we follow the Yahoo Yodel on its unlikely journey from the snowy Swiss Alps to ‘90s country bars to Super Bowl ads. Along the way, we meet the real-life cowboy behind this yodel, whose voice launched a billion clicks... as well a high-stakes legal battle. Featuring musician and yodeler Wylie Gustafson. Subscribe on YouTube to see our new 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, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Stream Wylie & The Wild West on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, or wherever you get your music. Order Wylie’s book, How to Yodel: Lessons to Tickle Your Tonsils and Funnybone. Sign up for Riverside for free at creators.riverside.com/20K, and get 20% off a Riverside Pro subscription using promo code 20k. Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo’s 8-Bit Masterpiece
Aug 1300:33:18Summary readyFrom the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable. With just five lo-fi audio channels and 40 kilobytes of space, composer Koji Kondo created a soundscape full of unforgettable melodies. In this episode, we explore how Kondo’s playful instincts, rhythmic trickery, and love of jazz fusion defined the sound of Mario. Featuring Kirk Hamilton of Strong Songs and Thomas of Thomas Game Docs. Subscribe on YouTube to see our new 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, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Follow Kirk Hamilton’s podcasts Strong Songs and Triple Click. Subscribe to Thomas’ Youtube channel, Thomas Game Docs. Sign up for Riverside for free at creators.riverside.fm/20k, and get 20% off a Riverside Pro subscription using promo code 20k. Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sound Off: Pinball Pings, Borrowed Melodies & Airport Acoustics
Jul 30, 202500:33:20Summary readyPresenting the second short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring five pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the sonic evolution of pinball to reused classical melodies to the battle against airport noise, this Silver Collection is a diverse and enlightening set of snackable stories. Find local showtimes to see Sketch, the first feature-film sound designed and mixed entirely by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our new 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, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Get 20% off your Riverside subscription using promo code 20k. Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mixing Madison Square Garden for Vulfpeck’s Biggest Show
Jul 16, 202500:41:52Summary readyWhen Vulfpeck played a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, the performance looked effortless. But behind the scenes, their Front of House Engineer and Tour Manager Jake Hartsfield was juggling missing tickets, technical curveballs, and mixing seventeen dynamic musicians through a nearly two-hour set. In this episode, we follow Jake through one extraordinarily high-stakes day, and discover just how much craft, preparation, and composure it takes to make a live show feel magical. Featuring Mixing and Front of House Engineer Jake Hartsfield. Subscribe on YouTube to see our new video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Explore Defacto Sound's work at defactosound.com. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Check out The Master Handbook of Acoustics, the book that inspired Jake work in music. Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Music of Jeopardy! From a Lullaby to $100,000,000
Jul 2, 202500:26:10Summary readyIt’s the most recognizable TV theme in America. But Jeopardy’s “Think Music” wasn’t originally written for a game show… It was written for a toddler. In this episode, we trace the unlikely journey of the Jeopardy theme, from Merv Griffin’s living room to over 10,000 episodes across six decades. Along the way, we explore the show’s sonic evolution, including honking buzzers, 80s synths, and orchestral remixes. Featuring Lisa Broffman, Jeopardy’s Consulting Co-Executive Producer. Subscribe on YouTube to see our brand new video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Explore Defacto Sound's work at defactosound.com, and click the Contact Form to get in touch. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Visit sonos.com to learn about the Sonos Ace headphones and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sound Off: Siren calls, musical melodies & missing frequencies
Jun 18, 202500:34:02Summary readyTwenty Thousand Hertz is proud to present the first short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring six bite-sized pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the dawn of recording to the sonic secrets of thunder, from mythic sirens to melodic medicine, this Bronze Collection offers a first taste of the breadth and originality of these incredible stories. Subscribe on YouTube to be the first to see our new video episodes. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Explore Defacto Sound's work at defactosound.com, and click the Contact Form to get in touch. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook. Visit sonos.com to learn about the Sonos Ace headphones and more. Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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