Twenty Thousand Hertz
The stories behind the world’s most iconic and fascinating sounds.
101
I'm Lovin’ It: How “Ba da ba ba ba” took over t...
Ba da ba ba ba.
23 min
102
The Physics of Sound w/ Bill Nye the Science Guy
Listen up! It’s time to go back to basics on the physics of sound.
22 min
103
Seeing Sounds, Tasting Names: The world of syne...
What’s it like to see sounds and taste names?
25 min
104
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
105
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
106
From Klingon to Dothraki: How sci-fi languages ...
From Klingon to Elvish, what makes a good constructed language?
26 min
107
Space Audity: The challenges of space communica...
The mind-boggling technology behind space communication.
21 min
108
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
109
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
110
Dies Irae: The death melody haunting Hollywood
How a four-note melody from the 13th century became a movie soundtrack superstar.
26 min
111
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
112
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
113
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
114
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
115
Deepfake Dallas: How AI learned to speak like me
Is your voice your own? Maybe not anymore.
22 min
116
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
117
Tudum! The story behind the iconic Netflix sound
The never-before-told story behind the iconic Netflix sound.
21 min
118
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
119
Hamilton’s Sonic Secrets: Behind the Broadway p...
How the sound design of Hamilton draws the audience into the story.
28 min
120
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
121
Copyrights & Wrongs: Musical Inspiration vs. Pl...
Theft or inspiration? Part one of a deep dive into the complicated world of Copyright.
24 min
122
Makin’ Whoopee: The hilarious history & science...
The history and science behind our favorite fart sound-maker, the whoopee cushion.
26 min
123
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
124
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
125
What’s Up, Doc? Mel Blanc and the magic of Loon...
The early life and career of Mel Blanc.
24 min