Twenty Thousand Hertz

A lovingly crafted podcast that reveals the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds.

Design
Arts
Music Commentary
101
Makin' Whoopee!
The history and science behind our favorite fart sound-maker, the whoopee cushion.
26 min
102
Pew Pew
How legendary Sound Designer Ben Burtt helped transport audiences to a galaxy far, far away.
29 min
103
That's All Folks!
The story of Mel Blanc, Part 2. The accident, recovery, and passing of the torch.
20 min
104
Ehh... What's Up, Doc?
The early life and career of Mel Blanc.
24 min
105
Twenty Parts Per Thousand
The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting smells.
21 min
106
Cremona
The story of a town that stayed quiet to preserve an instrument they love.
23 min
107
Satanic Panic!
Warning: Listening to this episode might entice you to worship the devil.
28 min
108
Noise "R" Us
A nostalgic history of toy sounds.
25 min
109
Good Vibes
We know music can affect our moods, but its influence over us goes even deeper, and has the power to heal, harm, and manipulate us.
25 min
110
4′33″
The story behind one of the most controversial, and influential, pieces of music of the 20th Century.
31 min
111
Seinfeld
A theme song about nothing: how it was created, what makes it so unique, and how it became one of the most iconic theme songs in TV history.
26 min
112
Sonic Wonderland
Take your ears on a mini vacation as we celebrate the sonic wonders of the world.
18 min
113
Historically Speaking
How we shape language to our needs, and how it shapes us in return.
26 min
114
Vroom Vroom
A song of fuel and fire - what’s happening inside your car engine?
26 min
115
Baby Shark
The history and future of one of the biggest viral sensations ever.
36 min
116
Virtual Choir
The story of the internet choir connecting people from around the world to share the joy of singing.
25 min
117
The Price is Right (Yeah, Yeah!)
The story behind one of the most recognizable TV show themes ever.
18 min
118
The Loudness Wars
We take a deep dive into the Loudness War, and look for signs of hope in the modern age.
32 min
119
The [COMPRESSED] History of Mastering
A look at the mystical art of mastering from its analog beginnings to the digital world of today.
27 min
120
You've Got Mail!
The most recognizable 3 words of the early internet age + the birth of a whole new musical instrument.
20 min
121
Speak Easy
How to find your voice.
18 min
122
Hear Here!
The story of how acoustics changed our history, and how we might use it to better our world today.
19 min
123
Stradivarius
The story behind the most valuable violins in the world.
22 min
124
808
The story of the drum machine that (accidentally) changed music forever.
23 min
125
Soundmarks®
How sonic branding shapes a brand.
26 min