Podcast · Arts & Books

Twenty Thousand Hertz

by Dallas Taylor · English · Arts & Books

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 5 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026 · 48 minNew

Guess That Sound: Video Game Edition

For a special video game edition of our Guess That Sound competition, we invited three game audio experts to test their ears on 18 sounds from gaming history. Play along as they identify iconic fanfares, weapons, spells, power-ups, and some seriously tricky deep cuts. Who will claim the title of ultimate video game sound expert? Featuring Foley Artist and Sound Editor Joanna Fang , Senior Interactive Sound Designer Mark Kilborn , and Sound Designer and Composer Jeffrey Brice . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠⁠Defacto Sound⁠⁠ . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E249 · 21 Sep 2026 · 27 min

Listener Stories 2026 (Gold): Protest Pop & Birthday Ballads

We’re proud to present the top selections from our 2026 Listener Story competition. In these extraordinary pieces, you’ll hear about the forgotten world of free online record labels, the controversial sounds that shape public spaces, the hidden history of a global pop hit, and finally, this year’s winning story. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. Follow Dallas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at…
E248 · 7 Sep 2026 · 33 min

I'm (Still) Lovin' It: The McDonald's Jingle Saga Continues

The “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle is one of the most recognizable melodies on Earth. But the story behind it involves a global competition, thousands of mixes, a Trojan Horse pop song, and a surprising amount of celebrity beef. In this updated version of one of our favorite episodes, we trace how a five-note jingle became a worldwide phenomenon, and the controversy over who actually wrote it. Featuring Tom Batoy and Franco Tortora of Mona Davis Music . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠⁠Defacto Sound⁠⁠ . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Subscribe on…
E247 · 24 Aug 2026 · 26 min

Listener Stories 2026 (Silver): Keyboard Clicks & Singing Forests

Our 2026 Listener Story competition continues with five more incredible listener-made pieces. In this Silver collection, you’ll hear the surprising craft behind mechanical keyboards, the natural sounds hidden in Indian ragas, and how learning a new language can transform noise into belonging. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. Follow Dallas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at…
E246 · 10 Aug 2026 · 42 min

Colbert & Fallon: Mixing Music for Late Night TV

Mixing music for Late Night television means working fast, putting artists at ease, and delivering polished mixes under immense pressure. In this episode, the Music Mixers of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon swap stories from decades behind the console. They reveal performances that went sideways, why backing tracks can actually make their jobs harder, and what it’s like mixing everyone from Cynthia Erivo to Paul McCartney. Featuring Harvey Goldberg and Lawrence Manchester . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠⁠Defacto Sound⁠⁠ . Watch Dallas'…
E245 · 27 Jul 2026 · 28 min

Listener Stories 2026 (Bronze): AI Music & Coral Crackles

Twenty Thousand Hertz proudly presents the first five selections from our 2026 Listener Story competition. From AI-generated music, to the hidden crackle of coral reefs, to historic birdsong recordings, these bite-sized stories are crafted with curiosity and care. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠⁠Defacto Sound⁠⁠ . Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. Follow Dallas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . If you know what this…
E244 · 13 Jul 2026 · 34 min

Eurovision Song Contest: Inside the Gimmicks & Glamour

For millions of people, Eurovision is a cultural institution, and one of the biggest live television events on Earth. But for many Americans, it remains a complete mystery. In this episode, producer Andrew Anderson takes Dallas and Grace on a joyful crash course through the history, music, controversies, and glorious absurdity of the Eurovision Song Contest. Along the way, they discover which music superstars got their start in Eurovision, how receiving “nul points” can ruin or launch a career, and what this competition reveals about Europe itself. Featuring “Doctor Eurovision” Paul Jordan .
E243 · 15 Jun 2026 · 36 min

John Williams: A Composer’s Legacy

In our last episode, we followed composer John Williams from his childhood to his 1970s run with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Now, we pick up the story as John enters an era of seemingly impossible success… from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and beyond. In this episode, we explore how John revived the grand orchestral score, conquered the classical music world, and crafted melodies that millions of people can instantly recognize. Along the way, journalist Tim Greiving reveals the habits, quirks, and creative brilliance of this living legend.…
E242 · 1 Jun 2026 · 33 min

John Williams: A Composer’s Life

John Williams has written some of the most famous film scores ever, from Star Wars to Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park. But before the blockbuster success, there was a kid growing up around jazz musicians in New York, and a young composer trying to find his voice. In this episode, journalist Tim Greiving takes us through John’s early life and career, from his years as a session player to the meeting with Steven Spielberg that changed everything. Along the way, we unpack the stories behind John’s early iconic scores, including the two-note terror of Jaws, the symphonic world of Star Wars, and…
E241 · 25 May 2026 · 29 min

Age of Audio: The Future of Podcasting (and 20k)

After making Age of Audio , a feature documentary about the history of podcasting, filmmaker Shaun Michael Colón sat down with Dallas for a revealing conversation about the state and future of this industry. Together, Dallas & Shaun unpack the shift toward celebrity chit chat shows, what gets lost in video, the real economics of making Twenty Thousand Hertz, and why highly crafted audio storytelling still matters. Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at ⁠⁠20k.org/2026⁠⁠ . For updates on Age of Audio, visit the ⁠⁠official website⁠⁠ , or follow the film on…
E240 · 18 May 2026 · 40 min

Age of Audio: The Inside Story of Podcasting

The history of podcasting has rarely been told. But in this episode, the brightest minds in podcasting reveal the inside story of this medium: from the invention of RSS feeds, through the Gold Rush era of corporate investments, to the bubble bursting, and the rise of celebrity podcasts. Along the way, Ira Glass explains the origins of This American Life and Serial, Marc Maron recounts Obama visiting his garage, Roman Mars lays out his vision for indie podcasts, and so much more. This story was adapted from the feature documentary ⁠⁠Age of Audio⁠⁠ . Learn about this year’s Listener Stories…
E239 · 11 May 2026 · 37 min

The Poop Song Conspiracy

One day, Ethan had an unfortunate bathroom incident. Then, he found an entire collection of songs online with his name in the title… and they all seemed to be about that embarrassing moment. That experience sent Ethan and his sister down a bizarre rabbit hole involving AI music, lots of poop jokes, and possibly the world’s most prolific songwriter. This story comes from the Hyperfixed podcast. Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026 . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto Sound⁠ . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at…
E238 · 4 May 2026 · 28 min

The Heartfelt Music of Bluey w/ Composer Joff Bush

What makes the music of Bluey feel so warm and alive? In this episode, Dallas travels to Brisbane, Australia to visit the studio of Bluey’s composer Joff Bush . There, Joff reveals the quirky instruments, musical easter eggs, and songwriting philosophy behind this beloved series. Along the way, he breaks down the music of two iconic Bluey episodes, “Sleepytime” and “The Sign.” Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026 . See Dallas tour Joff's studio on Youtube . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto Sound⁠ . Support the show and get…
E237 · 20 Apr 2026 · 34 min

The Acoustic Worlds of Radiolab Creator Jad Abumrad

Before Radiolab became a cultural phenomenon, it was an experiment… one that Jad Abumrad built voice by voice, sound by sound. In this episode, Jad walks Dallas through his journey with the show, from its scrappy beginning in a New York basement, to leading a massive team, and ultimately stepping away. Along the way, he breaks down his signature sound design and storytelling techniques, and how he’s carried those into newer projects like Dolly Parton’s America and Fela Kuti: Fear No Man. Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026 . See Dallas…
E236 · 23 Mar 2026 · 27 min

He was deaf for 35 years + Listener Stories kickoff

Last year, we ran three full episodes of listener-produced stories. But one beautiful story was just a little too long for the final cut… and we couldn’t leave it behind. In this episode, sound designer Jesse Herrera tells the story of his grandfather, who lived in silence for 35 years before receiving a cochlear implant, and the overwhelming, joyful process of learning to hear again. Afterwards, Dallas and Casey reflect on last year’s Listener Stories and kick off this year’s competition. Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026 . To make a…
E235 · 9 Mar 2026 · 30 min

Harry Potter and the Sound Designer’s Stone

Harry Potter has been brought to life on page and screen. But what would it take to make the wizarding world come alive using sound alone? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the new full-cast editions of the Harry Potter series, where a team of sound designers spent eighteen months crafting 130 hours of immersive audio. From the whistle of the Hogwarts Express to the rasp of the Dementors, every spell, creature, and location had to sound tangible and emotionally distinct. Featuring Will Cohen and Lawrence Kendrick of String and Tins . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto…
E234 · 23 Feb 2026 · 25 min

When Everything Stopped, He Started Listening

David Jeffers has always understood the world through sound. As a kid, he bounced beats between tape decks and built speaker boxes from spare parts. After college, he founded an underground hip hop label. Then came the day that split his life in two. And in the quiet that followed, David started listening more deeply… and piece by piece, he built a new life, guided not by what he lost, but what he could create. For news about ⁠Quad Life⁠ , the upcoming documentary about David, follow Quad_Life_Doc on ⁠Instagram⁠. Explore David’s sound design work and book with him at ⁠quadriphonicsound.com⁠…
E233 · 9 Feb 2026 · 35 min

The State of the 20K Multiverse™

What happens when a podcast about sound gets into video? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, producer Grace East flips the script and interviews Dallas about his leap into visual storytelling, and how the different pieces of the 20K Multiverse all fit together. From backstage at SNL, to Disney Imagineering’s archives, to real-life Bluey locations, Dallas reveals the anxieties, lucky breaks, and human connections behind our new video series. Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. Follow Dallas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ,…
E232 · 26 Jan 2026 · 36 min

Doctor Who & The BBC Radiophonic Workshop

What does a time machine sound like? Or a magic carpet? For the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, that was just another day at the office. For 40 years, this oddball collective of engineers and composers pushed the boundaries of sound design, crafting eerie atmospheres, quirky jingles, and the iconic audio of Doctor Who. In this episode, we explore the rise and fall of this pioneering studio with composer and archivist Mark Ayres , and uncover how these sonic wizards shaped the future of sound. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto Sound⁠ . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at…
E231 · 12 Jan 2026 · 25 min

Butterfly in the Synth: Reading Rainbow’s Magical Theme Song

The theme song to Reading Rainbow has been delighting kids (and nostalgic grown-ups) for over 40 years. But how did this instantly iconic track come to be? In this episode, composer Steve Horelick reveals the unlikely story of its creation, from its empowering lyrics, to its “fluttering butterfly” synth sound, to how Chaka Khan and a mystery drummer helped shape one of its later versions. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto Sound⁠ . Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. If you know…
E230 · 31 Dec 2025 · 20 min

Auld Lang What? The surprising origins of the New Year’s song

Every New Year’s at midnight, we raise our voices to sing a song that few of us understand: “Auld Lang Syne.” So when and why did this become the anthem of the holiday? In this episode, our friends at the Smithsonian’s Sidedoor podcast trace the mysterious rise of “Auld Lang Syne” from rural Scotland, to a New York jazz club, to a classic film and an iconic actor. Featuring folklorist Jim Deutsch . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Subscribe to ⁠Sidedoor⁠ wherever you get your podcasts. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto Sound⁠ . Subscribe…
E229 · 17 Dec 2025 · 44 min

Guess That Sound 2025: Youtube Channel Champs

For our sixth annual Mystery Sound game show, we’ve invited three guests from our video series to test their sonic knowledge on 18 sounds, including production logos, video game FX, bird calls, strange instruments, and more. So put on your listening cap and get ready to guess along in this surprising and hilarious competition. Featuring Jake Hartsfield , Carlos Torres , and John Michael Hinton . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto Sound⁠ . Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. If you…
E228 · 3 Dec 2025 · 39 min

The Sound of Fallout: From Iconic Games to Prestige TV

Behind Fallout’s apocalyptic sci-fi and retro nostalgia is a masterclass in sound design. In this episode, we explore how the audio teams behind both the video games and the TV series built Fallout’s signature sonic identity, from Pip Boy clicks to weapon blasts to mutant roars. Along the way, we uncover how the show’s creators honored the classic game sounds while reimagining them for a bigger, more cinematic experience. Featuring Mark Lampert , Sue Cahill , Daniel Colman , Steve Bucino , and Keith Rogers . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe on…
E227 · 19 Nov 2025 · 30 min

Defying Gravity: The Audio Wizardry of Wicked's Live Vocals

In movie musicals, the vocals are almost never recorded live on-set. Instead, the actors pre-record their songs, then lip sync to those recordings while filming. But on Wicked, they threw out the rulebook, and recorded all of the lead vocals live. In this episode, Production Sound Mixer Simon Hayes reveals how they pulled off this audio feat. From cleverly disguised lav mics and in-ear monitors, to “silent wind” machines, to a jaw-dropping live performance of “Defying Gravity,” this is the story behind a truly magical production. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe…
E226 · 5 Nov 2025 · 43 min

The Secret Soundtracks of Movies & TV

In the ‘60s and ‘70s, world-class musicians gathered in smoky studios to record tracks that you couldn’t buy in a store… but ended up everywhere. In this episode, Dallas and the TTH crew dive into the golden age of production music: versatile cues crafted for everything from car chases to romantic montages to space odysseys. Along the way, they uncover how these obscure records found their way into sports broadcasts, hip hop singles, and modern sitcoms, and reveal the vintage library track that Quentin Tarantino brought back into style. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound .…
E225 · 22 Oct 2025 · 23 min

Inside Imagineering: How Sound Powers Disney Magic

Sound 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…
E224 · 8 Oct 2025 · 33 min

Live from New York, I’m Retired! SNL’s Sound Legend Signs Off

Behind 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 . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. If you…
E223 · 24 Sep 2025 · 30 min

The Nursery Rhyme That Ruined a Rock Band

When 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. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series.…
E222 · 10 Sep 2025 · 26 min

Listener Stories 2025 (Gold): Transit Tunes & Childhood Chimes

We’re proud to present the winning entries from our Listener Stories competition: five listener-made shorts 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. 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…
E221 · 27 Aug 2025 · 23 min

Yahoo! The Yodel Heard Around the World

It’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 . 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…

About Twenty Thousand Hertz

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

Twenty Thousand Hertz is a English arts & books podcast from Dallas Taylor. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Dallas Taylor
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 5 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1171270672

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