Podcasts by Twenty Thousand Hertz
All episodes
Liquid Terror from 2022-04-13T10:00
For nearly half a century, one eerie sound has been showing up again and again in movies and TV shows. It’s typically used when something spooky or mysterious happens—and it can be heard in Polterg...
ListenMind the Gap from 2022-03-30T10:00
The voices of subway and train announcements are deeply ingrained in peoples’ lives. Many of us hear them every day, for years on end. And yet, hardly anyone knows who those voices belong to. In th...
ListenHidden Hitmakers from 2022-03-16T10:00
The names of pop and rock stars are known by millions of people around the world, but the people who actually write their music often stay in the shadows. In this episode, we peel back the curtain ...
ListenHappy Little Episode from 2022-03-02T11:00
In the forty years since The Joy of Painting first started airing, Bob Ross has become a cultural icon. His gentle, soothing voice is instantly recognizable, and still gives comfort to millions of ...
ListenPirate Radio from 2022-02-16T11:00
In the 1960s, the BBC had a vise grip on British radio, and rarely played the pop and rock music that was all the rage. So a group of rebellious radio DJs decided to give the people what they wante...
ListenBeing Dallas Taylor from 2022-02-02T11:00
Your name is so much more than the sound that people call you by. It’s an entire human identity, distilled into a few syllables. So what do six people who share the exact same name have in common? ...
ListenWelcome to Twenty Thousand Hertz from 2022-01-07T11:00
A lovingly crafted podcast that reveals the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Subscribe now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
ListenAural Exam from 2021-12-15T11:00
For our second annual Mystery Sound competition, we’ve rounded up the 20 best sounds from the past year, and invited the hosts of Underunderstood to test their ears in a competitive guessing game. ...
ListenIt's Not TV. It's HBO. from 2021-11-17T11:00
In the 1980s, every movie that aired on HBO began with a truly epic theme song—a sweeping orchestral piece that triggers instant nostalgia for anyone who grew up with it. Then in the 90s, HBO intro...
ListenZzzzzzzzzzzrr... from 2021-11-10T11:00
If you’re a human being, chances are, you know someone who is a big time snorer. You're falling asleep to the gentle sounds of crickets, and then BAM, you hear a snore that sounds like an angry tro...
ListenCreature Speakers from 2021-10-27T10:00
To give voices to the frightening monsters in movies, TV shows, and video games, sound designers often start with animal noises, then apply all kinds of creative processing. But other times, these ...
ListenVideo(less) Games from 2021-10-13T10:00
In the past, video games were largely inaccessible to people with visual impairments. But these days, game makers are adding all kinds of innovative options to make their games more accessible. And...
ListenBlind Sports from 2021-09-29T10:00
Playing a sport without sight might sound impossible. But it turns out, there are blind athletes all around the world doing exactly that. Instead of using their eyes, these players rely on their ea...
ListenListening to the Movies from 2021-09-15T10:00
When Matthew Shifrin was growing up, his blindness meant that trying to enjoy a movie or TV show was often a confusing and frustrating experience. But then, Matthew discovered something called vide...
ListenSonic Bubbles from 2021-09-01T10:00
For over a century, humans have been using technology to shape our sonic environment. White noise machines, nature recordings, noise canceling headphones and high-tech hearables all allow us to cre...
ListenDomestic Symphony from 2021-08-18T10:00
Not long ago, our home appliances made nothing but abrasive beeps and harsh buzzes. In recent years though, these devices have started to chirp and sing with carefully designed tones and melodies. ...
ListenThe Windsor Hum from 2021-08-04T10:00
In 2011, residents of Windsor, Ontario started experiencing a strange rumbling hum that rattled dishes and kept people awake at night. Then, after years of getting nowhere, the mystery of the Winds...
ListenThe Buzzer from 2021-07-21T10:00
Since World War I, countries around the world have been broadcasting mysterious numerical messages via shortwave radio. Though concrete evidence is hard to come by, the general consensus is that th...
ListenStay Tuned from 2021-07-07T10:00
Nearly a century after they first appeared, the Looney Tunes are back in an all-new series. To bring this iconic franchise into the present, the creators are looking to its past, taking it back to ...
ListenProp 'til You Drop from 2021-06-23T10:00
In part 2 of our exploration of Foley, the Warner Brothers Foley team takes us into the all-important prop room. Along the way, they demonstrate how they make the sounds for flapping birds, breakin...
ListenFoley Artists from 2021-06-09T10:00
When it comes to film sound, "Foley Artist" might be the most important job you've never heard of. These performers record custom, synchronized sound effects to create the sounds for characters' fo...
ListenThe Leaky Pipeline from 2021-05-26T10:00
In the late 80s, a small French company found a way to pair analog film with pristine digital audio. But getting their system into theaters would involve a long legal battle, hiding out in a Vegas ...
ListenAuditory Icons from 2021-05-19T10:00
We live in a designed world, and alert tones are no exception. Every beep and ping that your phone or laptop makes probably went through multiple rounds of revisions and approvals. So what separate...
ListenProgression Obsession from 2021-05-12T10:00
There are a few specific chord progressions that show up again and again in popular music. Across hundreds of hit songs, the same basic musical formulas have been used by artists ranging from Lynyr...
Listen20th Century Fox from 2021-03-24T10:00
The melodic fanfare that introduces every 20th Century Fox movie was first composed almost a hundred years ago. Since then, it's become one of the most enduring and recognizable pieces of music in ...
Listen20th Century Fox from 2021-03-24T10:00
The melodic fanfare that introduces every 20th Century Fox movie was first composed almost a hundred years ago. Since then, it's become one of the most enduring and recognizable pieces of music in ...
ListenThe Deterrent Tone from 2021-03-10T11:00
The Long-Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD, was developed for the military for long-range communication at sea. But this ear-splitting device has also been fired on protesters across America, resultin...
ListenThe Deterrent Tone from 2021-03-10T11:00
The Long-Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD, was developed for the military for long-range communication at sea. But this ear-splitting device has also been fired on protesters across America, resultin...
ListenI'm Lovin' It from 2021-02-24T11:00
Since its introduction in 2003, the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle has become one of the most recognizable melodies in the world. This is the story of how a catchy five-note jingle conquered the...
ListenI'm Lovin' It from 2021-02-24T11:00
Since its introduction in 2003, the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle has become one of the most recognizable melodies in the world. This is the story of how a catchy five-note jingle conquered the...
ListenSound 101 with Bill Nye from 2021-01-27T11:00
What is sound, on a fundamental level? How did animals evolve to hear? And what happens when you go faster than sound itself? In this episode, we explore the physics of sound with the legendary Bil...
ListenSound 101 with Bill Nye from 2021-01-27T11:00
What is sound, on a fundamental level? How did animals evolve to hear? And what happens when you go faster than sound itself? In this episode, we explore the physics of sound with the legendary Bil...
ListenSynesthesia from 2021-01-13T11:00
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where one sensory experience gets combined with another, meaning someone might hear sounds when they eat, or see colors when they listen to music. So what ex...
ListenSynesthesia from 2021-01-13T11:00
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where one sensory experience gets combined with another, meaning someone might hear sounds when they eat, or see colors when they listen to music. So what ex...
ListenIntroducing Twenty Thousand Hertz from 2021-01-08T21:00
A lovingly crafted podcast that reveals the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Subscribe now.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sing Gently from 2020-12-16T11:00
After composer Eric Whitacre finished Virtual Choir number 5 in 2018, he thought the project might be done for good. But 2020 was just around the corner, and the Virtual Choir was far from over. Fo...
ListenSing Gently from 2020-12-16T11:00
After composer Eric Whitacre finished Virtual Choir number 5 in 2018, he thought the project might be done for good. But 2020 was just around the corner, and the Virtual Choir was far from over. Fo...
ListenSounds Worth Saving from 2020-12-09T11:00
Alan Lomax believed that the culture of poor Americans was important and worthy of saving. So he spent decades traveling the American South and recording obscure musicians on their front porches, i...
ListenSounds Worth Saving from 2020-12-09T11:00
Alan Lomax believed that the culture of poor Americans was important and worthy of saving. So he spent decades traveling the American South and recording obscure musicians on their front porches, i...
ListenSpace Audity from 2020-11-18T11:00
We've all heard the iconic recordings from the Apollo missions. But how exactly does NASA manage to run live audio between Earth and the moon? And how might we chat with astronauts on Mars and beyo...
ListenSpace Audity from 2020-11-18T11:00
We've all heard the iconic recordings from the Apollo missions. But how exactly does NASA manage to run live audio between Earth and the moon? And how might we chat with astronauts on Mars and beyo...
ListenSonic Utopia from 2020-11-11T11:00
Technology has the power to transform the way our world sounds. It could even give us entirely new ways to experience our surroundings. In this episode, we explore the sounds of the future, and how...
ListenSonic Utopia from 2020-11-11T11:00
Technology has the power to transform the way our world sounds. It could even give us entirely new ways to experience our surroundings. In this episode, we explore the sounds of the future, and how...
ListenSound and Silence from 2020-10-28T10:00
Sound surrounds us, even in the quietest moments. But depending on how we hear, the world can be a different auditory experience for each of us. This episode features four stories from the TED Radi...
ListenSound and Silence from 2020-10-28T10:00
Sound surrounds us, even in the quietest moments. But depending on how we hear, the world can be a different auditory experience for each of us. This episode features four stories from the TED Radi...
ListenPerfect Pitch from 2020-10-14T10:00
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 ...
ListenPerfect Pitch from 2020-10-14T10:00
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 ...
ListenTyrannosaurus FX from 2020-10-07T10:00
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 m...
ListenTyrannosaurus FX from 2020-10-07T10:00
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 m...
ListenVocal Discords from 2020-09-16T10:00
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. ...
ListenVocal Discords from 2020-09-16T10:00
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. ...
ListenDeepfake Dallas from 2020-09-02T10:00
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 ...
ListenDeepfake Dallas from 2020-09-02T10:00
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 ...
ListenThe City That Never Sleeps from 2020-08-19T10:00
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 inab...
ListenThe City That Never Sleeps from 2020-08-19T10:00
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 inab...
ListenTa-dum! It's Netflix from 2020-08-05T10:00
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...
ListenTa-dum! It's Netflix from 2020-08-05T10:00
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...
ListenMcElroys, Mysteries and Me from 2020-07-22T10:00
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 thei...
ListenMcElroys, Mysteries and Me from 2020-07-22T10:00
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 thei...
ListenHamilton Remix from 2020-07-08T10:00
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 favorit...
ListenHamilton Remix from 2020-07-08T10:00
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 favorit...
ListenStop... Collaborate&Listen from 2020-06-24T10:00
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...
ListenStop... Collaborate & Listen from 2020-06-24T10:00
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...
ListenCopyrights&Wrongs from 2020-06-10T10:00
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 disput...
ListenCopyrights & Wrongs from 2020-06-10T10:00
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 disput...
ListenMakin' Whoopee! from 2020-05-27T10:00
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 simpl...
ListenMakin' Whoopee! from 2020-05-27T10:00
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 simpl...
ListenThat's All Folks! from 2020-04-29T10:00
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 sourc...
ListenThat's All Folks! from 2020-04-29T10:00
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 sourc...
ListenEhh... What's Up, Doc? from 2020-04-15T10:00
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 indu...
ListenEhh... What's Up, Doc? from 2020-04-15T10:00
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 indu...
ListenTwenty Parts Per Thousand from 2020-04-01T09:00
The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting smells. Throughout history, humans have gone to great lengths to indulge their sense of smell. We explore the contemporary scent in...
ListenTwenty Parts Per Thousand from 2020-04-01T09:00
The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting smells.
Throughout history, humans have gone to great lengths to indulge their sense of smell. We explore the contemporary ...
Satanic Panic! from 2020-03-04T11:00
From the sixties to the nineties parents worried messages hidden in rock albums would make their children do drugs and worship the devil. The truth could only be revealed if these records were play...
ListenSatanic Panic! from 2020-03-04T11:00
From the sixties to the nineties parents worried messages hidden in rock albums would make their children do drugs and worship the devil. The truth could only be revealed if these records were play...
ListenNoise "R" Us from 2020-02-19T11:00
From See ‘n Say to Speak&Spell, and beyond, toys provide the soundtrack of our childhoods. Huge advancements in computer technology in recent decades mean that today’s toys can make a wider variety...
ListenNoise "R" Us from 2020-02-19T11:00
From See ‘n Say to Speak & Spell, and beyond, toys provide the soundtrack of our childhoods. Huge advancements in computer technology in recent decades mean that today’s toys can make a wider varie...
ListenGood Vibes from 2020-02-05T11:00
We know that music has the power to affect our moods, but you might be surprised by just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Music can affect our brains and bodies in profound ways. Professor Jessica Gr...
ListenGood Vibes from 2020-02-05T11:00
We know that music has the power to affect our moods, but you might be surprised by just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Music can affect our brains and bodies in profound ways. Professor Jessica Gr...
ListenSonic Wonderland from 2019-12-16T11:00
There’s a reason we call tourists “sightseers”. As a society, we’re totally obsessed with the way things look. But our world is full of beautiful, fascinating and bizarre sounds. Join us on a sonic...
ListenSonic Wonderland from 2019-12-16T11:00
There’s a reason we call tourists “sightseers”. As a society, we’re totally obsessed with the way things look. But our world is full of beautiful, fascinating and bizarre sounds. Join us on a sonic...
ListenHistorically Speaking from 2019-12-02T11:00
Language is a uniquely human gift. We have shaped it to our individual and cultural needs, and it has shaped us in return. Professor Lera Boroditsky reveals how the sounds we make with our mouths i...
ListenHistorically Speaking from 2019-12-02T11:00
Language is a uniquely human gift. We have shaped it to our individual and cultural needs, and it has shaped us in return. Professor Lera Boroditsky reveals how the sounds we make with our mouths i...
ListenVroom Vroom from 2019-11-18T11:00
When was the last time you turned off your radio and just listened to your car? What’s really going on under the hood? We chat with our own Nick Spradlin about the simple force at the heart of ever...
ListenVroom Vroom from 2019-11-18T11:00
When was the last time you turned off your radio and just listened to your car? What’s really going on under the hood? We chat with our own Nick Spradlin about the simple force at the heart of ever...
ListenBaby Shark from 2019-11-04T11:00
Baby Shark is a mega viral YouTube video, an unstoppable earworm, a top 40 hit, a Eurodance smash, a decades old campfire song, and the center of an international copyright dispute. In this episode...
ListenBaby Shark from 2019-11-04T11:00
Baby Shark is a mega viral YouTube video, an unstoppable earworm, a top 40 hit, a Eurodance smash, a decades old campfire song, and the center of an international copyright dispute. In this episode...
ListenVirtual Choir from 2019-10-21T10:00
Singing with others is a powerful form of expression. That's why the composer Eric Whitacre started the Virtual Choir; an experiment that connects singers from every corner of the globe. In this ep...
ListenVirtual Choir from 2019-10-21T10:00
Singing with others is a powerful form of expression. That's why the composer Eric Whitacre started the Virtual Choir; an experiment that connects singers from every corner of the globe. In this ep...
ListenThe Price is Right (Yeah, Yeah!) from 2019-10-14T10:00
As a young composer, Edd Kalehoff was looking for his break. In the early 70s he struck gold, writing the theme song and music cues for The Price Is Right. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of ...
ListenThe Price is Right (Yeah, Yeah!) from 2019-10-14T10:00
As a young composer, Edd Kalehoff was looking for his break. In the early 70s he struck gold, writing the theme song and music cues for The Price Is Right.
Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out...
The Loudness Wars from 2019-10-07T10:00
In part 2 of the story of mastering, we explore the consequences of the Loudness War and call out some of the worst offenders. We’ll also hear about the artists and mastering engineers who have bee...
ListenThe Loudness Wars from 2019-10-07T10:00
In part 2 of the story of mastering, we explore the consequences of the Loudness War and call out some of the worst offenders. We’ll also hear about the artists and mastering engineers who have bee...
ListenThe [COMPRESSED] History of Mastering from 2019-09-23T10:00
Join us on a musical journey from the Golden Age of analog mastering to the digital methods of today. We’ll find out why the music industry became obsessed with loudness, and learn how the digital ...
ListenThe [COMPRESSED] History of Mastering from 2019-09-23T10:00
Join us on a musical journey from the Golden Age of analog mastering to the digital methods of today. We’ll find out why the music industry became obsessed with loudness, and learn how the digital ...
ListenYou've Got Mail! from 2019-09-16T10:00
How a simple soundbite on America Online became one of the most recognizable sounds of the internet age, plus the creation of a whole new musical instrument. This episode features Elwood Edwards, t...
ListenYou've Got Mail! from 2019-09-16T10:00
How a simple soundbite on America Online became one of the most recognizable sounds of the internet age, plus the creation of a whole new musical instrument. This episode features Elwood Edwards, t...
ListenSpeak Easy from 2019-09-09T10:00
We rarely think about the way we speak. For most of us, it just happens. In this episode, we catch up with two professional voice artists and chat about their rituals and techniques that help them ...
ListenSpeak Easy from 2019-09-09T10:00
We rarely think about the way we speak. For most of us, it just happens. In this episode, we catch up with two professional voice artists and chat about their rituals and techniques that help them ...
ListenHear Here! from 2019-08-26T10:00
Humans have been fascinated with acoustics since our earliest ancestors. From Roman amphitheaters to modern symphony halls, we’ve designed our spaces with sound in mind. But the relationship betwee...
ListenHear Here! from 2019-08-26T10:00
Humans have been fascinated with acoustics since our earliest ancestors. From Roman amphitheaters to modern symphony halls, we’ve designed our spaces with sound in mind. But the relationship betwee...
ListenStradivarius from 2019-08-12T10:00
Stradivarius violins are reputed to have an exquisite sound that cannot be replicated or explained. Why is that? And what, exactly, is a Stradivarius violin anyway? This episode features interviews...
ListenStradivarius from 2019-08-12T10:00
Stradivarius violins are reputed to have an exquisite sound that cannot be replicated or explained. Why is that? And what, exactly, is a Stradivarius violin anyway? This episode features interviews...
ListenSoundmarks® from 2019-07-15T10:00
Companies spend a lot of time and effort perfecting the look of their brands. But now what a brand sounds like matters just as much. We trace the history from songs to jingles to what's called soni...
ListenSoundmarks® from 2019-07-15T10:00
Companies spend a lot of time and effort perfecting the look of their brands. But now what a brand sounds like matters just as much. We trace the history from songs to jingles to what's called soni...
ListenPlants that Sing from 2019-06-17T10:00
Have you ever wondered what your dog or cat would say to you if they could talk? How about your plant? In this episode we explore the world of bioacoustics and cognitive ecology. Featuring MIDI Spr...
ListenPlants that Sing from 2019-06-17T10:00
Have you ever wondered what your dog or cat would say to you if they could talk? How about your plant? In this episode we explore the world of bioacoustics and cognitive ecology. Featuring MIDI Spr...
ListenSonic Illusions from 2019-06-03T10:00
What we hear is incredibly personal and we all hear things differently. Sometimes our ears can even play tricks on us. Sonic illusions put a spotlight on the unique function of our hearing and how ...
ListenSonic Illusions from 2019-06-03T10:00
What we hear is incredibly personal and we all hear things differently. Sometimes our ears can even play tricks on us. Sonic illusions put a spotlight on the unique function of our hearing and how ...
ListenMother of Dragons(ounds) from 2019-05-20T10:00
Game of Thrones is a global phenomenon that has redefined the fantasy genre. Viewers from around the world gather every week to anxiously watch what will happen next. The actors, writers, directors...
ListenMother of Dragons(ounds) from 2019-05-20T10:00
Game of Thrones is a global phenomenon that has redefined the fantasy genre. Viewers from around the world gather every week to anxiously watch what will happen next. The actors, writers, directors...
ListenSound Escapes from 2019-05-06T10:00
Over his long career, Gordon Hempton has mastered the art of truly listening. He’s known as the Sound Tracker. Some people call him an acoustic ecologist. His recordings and books have made him an ...
ListenSound Escapes from 2019-05-06T10:00
Over his long career, Gordon Hempton has mastered the art of truly listening. He’s known as the Sound Tracker. Some people call him an acoustic ecologist. His recordings and books have made him an ...
ListenVoyager Golden Record from 2019-04-22T10:00
In the late '70s, NASA launched Voyagers 1&2 to explore the furthest reaches of our solar system and beyond. But something amazing was included on those space probes... a 90-minute time capsule of ...
ListenVoyager Golden Record from 2019-04-22T10:00
In the late '70s, NASA launched Voyagers 1 & 2 to explore the furthest reaches of our solar system and beyond. But something amazing was included on those space probes... a 90-minute time capsule o...
ListenPhone Tones from 2019-03-25T10:00
We unpack how touch tone dialing changed communication forever. Join us on a deep, quirky dive into telephone history. We’ll also deconstruct these sounds and reveal their hidden brilliance. Featur...
ListenPhone Tones from 2019-03-25T10:00
We unpack how touch tone dialing changed communication forever. Join us on a deep, quirky dive into telephone history. We’ll also deconstruct these sounds and reveal their hidden brilliance. Featur...
ListenDining on Decibels from 2019-02-25T11:00
Have you noticed how loud it gets in restaurants these days? Have you found yourselves shouting just to keep a conversation going? Architecture critic Kate Wagner explains how changing design trend...
ListenDining on Decibels from 2019-02-25T11:00
Have you noticed how loud it gets in restaurants these days? Have you found yourselves shouting just to keep a conversation going? Architecture critic Kate Wagner explains how changing design trend...
ListenDo Not Disturb from 2019-02-11T11:00
Alarm sounds have been around almost as long as humans themselves. But as our world has transformed, so have they. Today’s alarms are having an unexpected effect on our minds and bodies, and can ev...
ListenDo Not Disturb from 2019-02-11T11:00
Alarm sounds have been around almost as long as humans themselves. But as our world has transformed, so have they. Today’s alarms are having an unexpected effect on our minds and bodies, and can ev...
ListenSpace Remix from 2018-12-26T11:00
What happens when we leave Earth's thin blanket of atmosphere, and what do other planets sound like? In this special episode, we have completely remixed one of our favorite shows! It's been re-writ...
ListenSpace Remix from 2018-12-26T11:00
What happens when we leave Earth's thin blanket of atmosphere, and what do other planets sound like? In this special episode, we have completely remixed one of our favorite shows! It's been re-writ...
ListenBoots 'n Cats from 2018-12-10T11:00
Beatboxing began as an imitation of a drum machine, but over the decades it has evolved as a means to emulate any number of percussive sounds. Now beatboxing is being studied by scientists who are ...
ListenBoots 'n Cats from 2018-12-10T11:00
Beatboxing began as an imitation of a drum machine, but over the decades it has evolved as a means to emulate any number of percussive sounds. Now beatboxing is being studied by scientists who are ...
ListenBeing George Clooney from 2018-11-26T11:00
Hollywood films are huge internationally. But how are these films adapted for foreign languages? We delve into the not so talked about process of dubbing. Featuring the world's most popular voice a...
ListenBeing George Clooney from 2018-11-26T11:00
Hollywood films are huge internationally. But how are these films adapted for foreign languages? We delve into the not so talked about process of dubbing. Featuring the world's most popular voice a...
ListenXbox Startup Sound from 2018-11-12T11:00
The Xbox startup sound is an audio logo that’s become synonymous with the game console. But its origins are rooted in solving a logistical problem; how to entertain gamers while they wait for their...
ListenXbox Startup Sound from 2018-11-12T11:00
The Xbox startup sound is an audio logo that’s become synonymous with the game console. But its origins are rooted in solving a logistical problem; how to entertain gamers while they wait for their...
ListenTheater for the Mind from 2018-10-29T10:00
The "golden age of radio drama" may have been a stellar period for storytelling -- but the stories weren't all golden bright. Sci-fi and horror radio dramas explored deep anxieties people felt from...
ListenTheater for the Mind from 2018-10-29T10:00
The "golden age of radio drama" may have been a stellar period for storytelling -- but the stories weren't all golden bright. Sci-fi and horror radio dramas explored deep anxieties people felt from...
ListenThe Theremin from 2018-10-15T10:00
If you've ever watched an old sci-fi or horror film, you've probably heard the hair-tingling, alien sounds of the Theremin. It's a spooky, strange instrument that's played without being touched, an...
ListenThe Theremin from 2018-10-15T10:00
If you've ever watched an old sci-fi or horror film, you've probably heard the hair-tingling, alien sounds of the Theremin. It's a spooky, strange instrument that's played without being touched, an...
ListenClassic Cartoon Sound Effects! from 2018-10-01T10:00
Cartoon sound effects are some of the most iconic sounds ever made. Even modern cartoons continue to use the same sound effects from decades ago. How were these legendary sounds made and how have t...
ListenClassic Cartoon Sound Effects! from 2018-10-01T10:00
Cartoon sound effects are some of the most iconic sounds ever made. Even modern cartoons continue to use the same sound effects from decades ago. How were these legendary sounds made and how have t...
ListenTwenty Thousand Hertz from 2018-09-17T10:00
50 episodes! When we launched this podcast two years ago, we never imagined our passion project would come this far. To mark the occasion, we’re taking a peek behind the scenes of the show. Join th...
ListenTwenty Thousand Hertz from 2018-09-17T10:00
50 episodes! When we launched this podcast two years ago, we never imagined our passion project would come this far. To mark the occasion, we’re taking a peek behind the scenes of the show. Join th...
ListenSonic Branding from 2018-08-20T10:00
We are constantly exposed to sonic branding in television, radio, and web commercials. We deconstruct some of the most impactful audio logos in history and explain how the brain interprets them. Fe...
ListenSonic Branding from 2018-08-20T10:00
We are constantly exposed to sonic branding in television, radio, and web commercials. We deconstruct some of the most impactful audio logos in history and explain how the brain interprets them. Fe...
ListenLoop Groups from 2018-08-06T10:00
Invisible actors create worlds of sound in everything you watch - from Jaws to The Wire. With special guests, Carl Gottlieb, screenwriter and author of "The Jaws Log"; Dann Fink, loop group directo...
ListenLoop Groups from 2018-08-06T10:00
Invisible actors create worlds of sound in everything you watch - from Jaws to The Wire. With special guests, Carl Gottlieb, screenwriter and author of "The Jaws Log"; Dann Fink, loop group directo...
ListenSlot Machines from 2018-07-23T10:00
What do you hear when you walk into a Casino? It can feel like chaos, but each sound is carefully curated to draw you in and make you stay. One collection of sounds are scientifically and artistica...
ListenSlot Machines from 2018-07-23T10:00
What do you hear when you walk into a Casino? It can feel like chaos, but each sound is carefully curated to draw you in and make you stay. One collection of sounds are scientifically and artistica...
ListenMisophonia from 2018-07-09T10:00
The way our brains process sound affects the way we respond to sound. This episode is about why that happens in those who suffer from misophonia, the hatred of certain sounds. Featuring researcher ...
ListenMisophonia from 2018-07-09T10:00
The way our brains process sound affects the way we respond to sound. This episode is about why that happens in those who suffer from misophonia, the hatred of certain sounds. Featuring researcher ...
ListenTHX Deep Note, Part 2 from 2018-06-25T10:00
Whether you're 6 years old, or 96 years old, one of the most memorable parts of going to the movies for the last three decades has been the THX "Deep Note" trailer. Unfortunately, they lost the ori...
ListenTHX Deep Note, Part 2 from 2018-06-25T10:00
Whether you're 6 years old, or 96 years old, one of the most memorable parts of going to the movies for the last three decades has been the THX "Deep Note" trailer. Unfortunately, they lost the ori...
ListenTHX Deep Note, Part 1 from 2018-06-11T10:00
Since 1983 one of the most memorable parts of going to the movies has been the THX certification played during the previews. The accompanying sound logo called “The Deep Note” has fascinated, terri...
ListenTHX Deep Note, Part 1 from 2018-06-11T10:00
Since 1983 one of the most memorable parts of going to the movies has been the THX certification played during the previews. The accompanying sound logo called “The Deep Note” has fascinated, terri...
ListenAmen Break from 2018-05-29T10:00
There’s a sample of music that’s been heard in over 2,000 songs. Odds are you’ve heard it many times and didn’t even realize you were listening to the same breakbeat. The amen break might be the mo...
ListenAmen Break from 2018-05-29T10:00
There’s a sample of music that’s been heard in over 2,000 songs. Odds are you’ve heard it many times and didn’t even realize you were listening to the same breakbeat. The amen break might be the mo...
ListenUltrasonic Tracking from 2018-05-14T10:00
Did you know your phone is a really good listener? Apps on your phone might be sending and receiving data over ultrasound. Ultrasonic communication is used for everything from tracking your daily h...
ListenUltrasonic Tracking from 2018-05-14T10:00
Did you know your phone is a really good listener? Apps on your phone might be sending and receiving data over ultrasound. Ultrasonic communication is used for everything from tracking your daily h...
ListenLive Theater from 2018-04-16T10:00
Amazing concerts, Broadway musicals, Cirque du Soliel performances, and other live shows live and die on their sound design. This is the story of how sound design for live performances went from ze...
ListenLive Theater from 2018-04-16T10:00
Amazing concerts, Broadway musicals, Cirque du Soliel performances, and other live shows live and die on their sound design. This is the story of how sound design for live performances went from ze...
ListenThe Music in Speech from 2018-04-02T10:00
The way you speak has rhythm, timbre, and pitch. It’s more like music than you might think. We chat with The Allusionist host Helen Zaltzman, Martin Zaltz Austwick from Song by Song, Music Psycholo...
ListenThe Music in Speech from 2018-04-02T10:00
The way you speak has rhythm, timbre, and pitch. It’s more like music than you might think. We chat with The Allusionist host Helen Zaltzman, Martin Zaltz Austwick from Song by Song, Music Psycholo...
ListenSeizure Sonification from 2018-03-19T10:00
Brant Guichard has heard "The Music" for as long as he can remember. Brant has a particular type of epilepsy where he hears what are called "musical auras" whenever he has a seizure. Brian Foo, aka...
ListenSeizure Sonification from 2018-03-19T10:00
Brant Guichard has heard "The Music" for as long as he can remember. Brant has a particular type of epilepsy where he hears what are called "musical auras" whenever he has a seizure. Brian Foo, aka...
ListenEmergency Alert System from 2018-02-19T11:00
When people in Hawaii were falsely alerted of a Ballistic Missile threat, the first thing they heard was the sound of an emergency alert. For decades, this tone has alerted us to local weather emer...
ListenEmergency Alert System from 2018-02-19T11:00
When people in Hawaii were falsely alerted of a Ballistic Missile threat, the first thing they heard was the sound of an emergency alert. For decades, this tone has alerted us to local weather emer...
ListenSix O'Clock Soundtrack from 2018-01-22T11:00
Ever wonder how the music on your favorite news stations is created? Dive in with news music appreciator + journalist Victor Vlam; Composer Matthew Kajcienski, Composer Irad Eshel, Composer Adarsh ...
ListenSix O'Clock Soundtrack from 2018-01-22T11:00
Ever wonder how the music on your favorite news stations is created? Dive in with news music appreciator + journalist Victor Vlam; Composer Matthew Kajcienski, Composer Irad Eshel, Composer Adarsh ...
Listen3149146093 from 2018-01-08T11:00
A mysterious Tweet from one of the most famous people on Earth: A single phone number, zero context. What does it mean? Why was it posted? Would you call it to find out? For commercial director Dun...
Listen3149146093 from 2018-01-08T11:00
A mysterious Tweet from one of the most famous people on Earth: A single phone number, zero context. What does it mean? Why was it posted? Would you call it to find out? For commercial director Dun...
ListenThe Bleeps, the Sweeps, and the Creeps! from 2017-12-11T11:00
There are sounds we interact with every single day and never give a second thought. Our phones, computers, cars, and other devices are constantly communicating with us through user interface sounds...
ListenThe Bleeps, the Sweeps, and the Creeps! from 2017-12-11T11:00
There are sounds we interact with every single day and never give a second thought. Our phones, computers, cars, and other devices are constantly communicating with us through user interface sounds...
ListenLet It Beep from 2017-11-27T11:00
For over two decades, every time you turned on a Mac, you were greeted by a familiar sound. It’s appeared as a punchline in The Simpsons, and in movies like WALL•E. It’s a sound some of us tried to...
ListenLet It Beep from 2017-11-27T11:00
For over two decades, every time you turned on a Mac, you were greeted by a familiar sound. It’s appeared as a punchline in The Simpsons, and in movies like WALL•E. It’s a sound some of us tried to...
ListenDisney Parks from 2017-11-13T11:00
Theme parks have a way of transporting us to magical places, and sound is crucial in maintaining the illusion. From the most action-packed attractions to the background music playing between park a...
ListenDisney Parks from 2017-11-13T11:00
Theme parks have a way of transporting us to magical places, and sound is crucial in maintaining the illusion. From the most action-packed attractions to the background music playing between park a...
ListenSpooky Sounds from 2017-10-30T07:00
We uncover how scary sound effects are created in horror films as well as dissect how sound triggers the fear mechanisms in humans. Featuring Formosa Group Senior Sound Editor/Sound Designer Trevor...
ListenSpooky Sounds from 2017-10-30T07:00
We uncover how scary sound effects are created in horror films as well as dissect how sound triggers the fear mechanisms in humans. Featuring Formosa Group Senior Sound Editor/Sound Designer Trevor...
ListenAcoustical Umbilical Cord from 2017-10-17T16:00
Many animals, humans included, are natural-born criers. It’s the most basic form of communication from right when we come into the world. But us humans are unique: we keep on crying until the day w...
ListenAcoustical Umbilical Cord from 2017-10-17T16:00
Many animals, humans included, are natural-born criers. It’s the most basic form of communication from right when we come into the world. But us humans are unique: we keep on crying until the day w...
ListenSonic Seasoning from 2017-09-05T16:00
Taste is one of our most subjective of the five senses. A flavor that elicits delight in one individual may evoke strong disgust in another. And while we all have a basic understanding of flavor, w...
ListenSonic Seasoning from 2017-09-05T16:00
Taste is one of our most subjective of the five senses. A flavor that elicits delight in one individual may evoke strong disgust in another. And while we all have a basic understanding of flavor, w...
ListenFight or Flight from 2017-08-22T16:00
Are you afraid to fly? Does even the thought of boarding an airplane make you anxious? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from clinical aviophobia. While some manage to distract themsel...
ListenFight or Flight from 2017-08-22T16:00
Are you afraid to fly? Does even the thought of boarding an airplane make you anxious? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from clinical aviophobia. While some manage to distract themsel...
ListenSound Firsts from 2017-08-08T16:00
What is the oldest recorded sound in history? For over 100 years researchers thought they knew until a mind-blowing discovery by historians found something new - and technological advances allowed ...
ListenSound Firsts from 2017-08-08T16:00
What is the oldest recorded sound in history? For over 100 years researchers thought they knew until a mind-blowing discovery by historians found something new - and technological advances allowed ...
ListenNoise Pollution from 2017-07-25T16:00
Noise pollution is something we’ve all experienced. Road construction, motorcycles, passing aircraft - the list goes on and on. Other than being just plain annoying, what effect does noise pollutio...
ListenNoise Pollution from 2017-07-25T16:00
Noise pollution is something we’ve all experienced. Road construction, motorcycles, passing aircraft - the list goes on and on. Other than being just plain annoying, what effect does noise pollutio...
Listen20,000 dBs Under the Sea from 2017-07-11T16:00
71% of the Earth is covered by water. And most of us imagine it to be a serene, almost silent world. But why should we have all the fun up here? Discover what sound is like just below the surface a...
Listen20,000 dBs Under the Sea from 2017-07-11T16:00
71% of the Earth is covered by water. And most of us imagine it to be a serene, almost silent world. But why should we have all the fun up here? Discover what sound is like just below the surface a...
ListenEvolution of Accents from 2017-06-27T16:00
When you describe yourself to others you might mention your height, hairstyle, or maybe your build. But one of the most telling things about you is something you can’t even see, yet it defines you ...
ListenEvolution of Accents from 2017-06-27T16:00
When you describe yourself to others you might mention your height, hairstyle, or maybe your build. But one of the most telling things about you is something you can’t even see, yet it defines you ...
ListenForensic Audio from 2017-06-13T16:00
You might not realize it, but audio can be just as crucial to solving a case than video or eyewitness testimony. But understanding how to interpret audio evidence, or having the ability to enhance ...
ListenForensic Audio from 2017-06-13T16:00
You might not realize it, but audio can be just as crucial to solving a case than video or eyewitness testimony. But understanding how to interpret audio evidence, or having the ability to enhance ...
ListenThe Wilhelm Scream from 2017-05-30T10:00
When it comes to movie screams, what’s the first one you think of? Is it a scream that evokes a sense of fear, pain, or maybe even… humor? Perhaps you immediately think about a famous “Scream Queen...
ListenThe Wilhelm Scream from 2017-05-30T10:00
When it comes to movie screams, what’s the first one you think of? Is it a scream that evokes a sense of fear, pain, or maybe even… humor? Perhaps you immediately think about a famous “Scream Queen...
ListenVoice Acting from 2017-05-16T16:00
We hear disembodied voices all the time, in everything from cartoons and anime to commercials and trailers. It seems easy, but it's actually an intricate craft involving a great amount of training....
ListenVoice Acting from 2017-05-16T16:00
We hear disembodied voices all the time, in everything from cartoons and anime to commercials and trailers. It seems easy, but it's actually an intricate craft involving a great amount of training....
ListenHearing Loss from 2017-05-02T16:00
Our ears are sensitive, but we often don’t treat them that way. We are born with the ability to hear up to 20,000 Hz. As we age, our hearing range diminishes. On top of that, the more exposure we h...
ListenHearing Loss from 2017-05-02T16:00
Our ears are sensitive, but we often don’t treat them that way. We are born with the ability to hear up to 20,000 Hz. As we age, our hearing range diminishes. On top of that, the more exposure we h...
ListenThe Good, the Bad&the Irritating from 2017-04-18T16:00
Some sounds are like rug burn for your ears, while others are pleasant and soothing. We explore these sounds and get to the bottom of why we might interpret them as “good” or “bad”. Featuring Tommy...
ListenThe Good, the Bad & the Irritating from 2017-04-18T16:00
Some sounds are like rug burn for your ears, while others are pleasant and soothing. We explore these sounds and get to the bottom of why we might interpret them as “good” or “bad”. Featuring Tommy...
ListenDolls That Talk... And Some That Listen from 2017-03-07T17:00
Talking dolls have been around for over a century, but the fascination with making inanimate objects seem human reaches back into our early history. What is it about creating a companion that can i...
ListenDolls That Talk... And Some That Listen from 2017-03-07T17:00
Talking dolls have been around for over a century, but the fascination with making inanimate objects seem human reaches back into our early history. What is it about creating a companion that can i...
ListenAudio Descriptions from 2017-02-07T17:00
Did you know there might be a track of audio on your favorite movies and television shows that describe all of the actions on screen? This technology was designed for the visually impaired, but it ...
ListenAudio Descriptions from 2017-02-07T17:00
Did you know there might be a track of audio on your favorite movies and television shows that describe all of the actions on screen? This technology was designed for the visually impaired, but it ...
ListenMovie Soundtrack from 2017-01-24T17:00
When you think of a movie soundtrack, you probably think music. And sure, that’s one of the many, many things going on there. What else goes into making a scene sound “natural”? It isn’t what you’d...
ListenMovie Soundtrack from 2017-01-24T17:00
When you think of a movie soundtrack, you probably think music. And sure, that’s one of the many, many things going on there. What else goes into making a scene sound “natural”? It isn’t what you’d...
ListenFrom Analog to Digital from 2017-01-10T17:00
The transition from analog to digital seemed like a fairly simple and expected process. So why are so many people reverting back to analog? In this episode, you'll learn about the Jedi skills old r...
ListenFrom Analog to Digital from 2017-01-10T17:00
The transition from analog to digital seemed like a fairly simple and expected process. So why are so many people reverting back to analog? In this episode, you'll learn about the Jedi skills old r...
ListenSound of Extinction from 2016-12-27T16:44
When was the last time you heard a dial-up modem? A dot matrix printer? A CD dropping into its plastic tray? Did you know it would be the last time? We talk to Rick Adams, a British reporter, about...
ListenSound of Extinction from 2016-12-27T16:44
When was the last time you heard a dial-up modem? A dot matrix printer? A CD dropping into its plastic tray? Did you know it would be the last time? We talk to Rick Adams, a British reporter, about...
ListenMystery Hum from 2016-12-13T17:51
There's this place right at the border between Detroit, MI, and Windsor, ON where there's this hum… It rattles dishes, makes people sick, it's even making people move away. And the government does ...
ListenMystery Hum from 2016-12-13T17:51
There's this place right at the border between Detroit, MI, and Windsor, ON where there's this hum… It rattles dishes, makes people sick, it's even making people move away. And the government does ...
ListenNBC Chimes from 2016-11-15T21:23
NBC’s three little chimes didn’t just define a television network, they defined a generation. Where did they come from and what is the surprising impact they have had on current and future media? F...
ListenNBC Chimes from 2016-11-15T21:23
NBC’s three little chimes didn’t just define a television network, they defined a generation. Where did they come from and what is the surprising impact they have had on current and future media? F...
Listen