Twenty Thousand Hertz
The stories behind the world’s most iconic and fascinating sounds.
101
Sing Gently: Singing together, even when apart
How an internet choir connects singers around the world at a time when they can't sing together.
33 min
102
The Song Hunter: How Alan Lomax saved the sound...
Legendary music archivist Alan Lomax made it his life's work to preserve and promote the sounds of local culture.
24 min
103
From Klingon to Dothraki: How sci-fi languages ...
From Klingon to Elvish, what makes a good constructed language?
26 min
104
Space Audity: The challenges of space communica...
The mind-boggling technology behind space communication.
21 min
105
Sonic Utopia: Can we build a better sounding wo...
What can we expect the future to sound like, and how can we build a sonic utopia?
25 min
106
The Cyborg, The Scientist, and the Death of Sil...
The way we each experience sound depends on so many unique factors, from tiny receptors in our ears to the way we were taught to communicate.
48 min
107
Dies Irae: The death melody haunting Hollywood
How a four-note melody from the 13th century became a movie soundtrack superstar.
26 min
108
Perfect Pitch: Unlocking Jacob Collier’s musica...
What's it like when every sound you hear—from the whir of the coffee grinder to the beep of the microwave—all sound like musical notes?
27 min
109
Tyrannosaurus FX: What dinosaurs really sounded...
The sound design wizardry behind the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park, and how these sounds compare to what dinos REALLY sounded like.
23 min
110
Napster: How free music broke the industry
The stunning rise and fall of Napster, and how it transformed the music industry in a few short years.
36 min
111
Vocal Discords: When nodules silence singers
A diagnosis of vocal nodes is every singer's worst nightmare. But when nodes develop, is all hope truly lost?
21 min
112
Deepfake Dallas: How AI learned to speak like me
Is your voice your own? Maybe not anymore.
22 min
113
The Weight of Noise: One writer’s struggle in N...
The link between chronic noise and chronic anxiety may be closer than we realize.
23 min
114
Tudum! The story behind the iconic Netflix sound
The never-before-told story behind the iconic Netflix sound.
21 min
115
McElroys, Mysteries, and Me: Guess That Sound! ...
The McElroy brothers, hosts of My Brother, My Brother and Me, compete in a heated and hilarious game of mystery sounds.
41 min
116
Hamilton’s Sonic Secrets: Behind the Broadway p...
How the sound design of Hamilton draws the audience into the story.
28 min
117
Stop, Collaborate and Listen: Can you copyright...
Theft or inspiration? Part two of a deep dive into the complicated world of copyright, sampling and the ability to own a song.
23 min
118
Copyrights & Wrongs: Musical Inspiration vs. Pl...
Theft or inspiration? Part one of a deep dive into the complicated world of Copyright.
24 min
119
Makin’ Whoopee: The hilarious history & science...
The history and science behind our favorite fart sound-maker, the whoopee cushion.
26 min
120
Pew Pew! The making of Star Wars’ iconic sounds
How legendary Sound Designer Ben Burtt helped transport audiences to a galaxy far, far away.
29 min
121
That’s All Folks! Mel Blanc’s curtain call
The story of Mel Blanc, Part 2. The accident, recovery, and passing of the torch.
20 min
122
What’s Up, Doc? Mel Blanc and the magic of Loon...
The early life and career of Mel Blanc.
24 min
123
Twenty Parts Per Thousand: Designing with smell
The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting smells.
21 min
124
Cremona: Saving the world’s most prized violin ...
The story of a town that stayed quiet to preserve an instrument they love.
23 min
125
Satanic Panic: Backwards messages and '80s hyst...
Warning: Listening to this episode might entice you to worship the devil.
28 min