Discover
Twenty Thousand Hertz
229 Episodes
Reverse
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 know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Book a magic show with John Michael Hinton.
Visit curiositystream.com/20k for 50% off the best documentary streaming service.
Find and book a therapist at rula.com/20k.
Get 10 free meals + breakfast for life at hellofresh.com/tth10fm
Shop for eye glasses & contacts, or book an eye exam at warbyparker.com/hertz
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Visit curiositystream.com/20k for 50% off the best documentary streaming service.
Explore incredible speakers, soundbars, and more at sonos.com.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial of Shopify at shopify.com/20k.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Explore incredible speakers, soundbars and more at sonos.com.
Get 50% off your first box of Factor Meals, plus free breakfast for a year at factormeals.com/tth50off.
Subscribe to Working Smarter wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Explore incredible speakers, soundbars and more at sonos.com.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Visit quo.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months of business phone software.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Explore incredible speakers, soundbars and more at sonos.com.
Visit quince.com/20k for free shipping on your order & 365 day returns.
Find a therapist who takes your insurance at growtherapy.com/20k.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Learn more about Fred Hedemark’s work at audiofred.com.
Find a therapist who takes your insurance at growtherapy.com/20k.
Get 3 months of free payroll at gusto.com/20k.
Visit quo.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months of buisiness phone software.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Find a therapist who takes your insurance at growtherapy.com/20k.
Get 3 months of free payroll at gusto.com/20k.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We’re proud to present the winning entries from our Sound Off competition: five listener-made short stories 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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Visit quince.com/20k for free shipping on your order & 365 day returns.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Stream Wylie & The Wild West on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, or wherever you get your music.
Order Wylie’s book, How to Yodel: Lessons to Tickle Your Tonsils and Funnybone.
Sign up for Riverside for free at creators.riverside.com/20K, and get 20% off a Riverside Pro subscription using promo code 20k.
Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable. With just five lo-fi audio channels and 40 kilobytes of space, composer Koji Kondo created a soundscape full of unforgettable melodies. In this episode, we explore how Kondo’s playful instincts, rhythmic trickery, and love of jazz fusion defined the sound of Mario. Featuring Kirk Hamilton of Strong Songs and Thomas of Thomas Game Docs.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Follow Kirk Hamilton’s podcasts Strong Songs and Triple Click.
Subscribe to Thomas’ Youtube channel, Thomas Game Docs.
Sign up for Riverside for free at creators.riverside.com/20K, and get 20% off a Riverside Pro subscription using promo code 20k.
Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Presenting the second short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring five pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the sonic evolution of pinball to reused classical melodies to the battle against airport noise, this Silver Collection is a diverse and enlightening set of snackable stories.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Sign up for Riverside for free at creators.riverside.com/20K, and get 20% off a Riverside Pro subscription using promo code 20k.
Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Vulfpeck played a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, the performance looked effortless. But behind the scenes, their Front of House Engineer and Tour Manager Jake Hartsfield was juggling missing tickets, technical curveballs, and mixing seventeen dynamic musicians through a nearly two-hour set. In this episode, we follow Jake through one extraordinarily high-stakes day, and discover just how much craft, preparation, and composure it takes to make a live show feel magical.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Check out The Master Handbook of Acoustics, the book that inspired Jake work in music.
Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s the most recognizable TV theme in America. But Jeopardy’s “Think Music” wasn’t originally written for a game show… It was written for a toddler. In this episode, we trace the unlikely journey of the Jeopardy theme, from Merv Griffin’s living room to over 10,000 episodes across six decades. Along the way, we explore the show’s sonic evolution, including honking buzzers, 80s synths, and orchestral remixes. Featuring Lisa Broffman, Jeopardy’s Consulting Co-Executive Producer.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Visit sonos.com to learn about the Sonos Ace headphones and more.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Twenty Thousand Hertz is proud to present the first short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring six bite-sized pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the dawn of recording to the sonic secrets of thunder, from mythic sirens to melodic medicine, this Bronze Collection offers a first taste of the breadth and originality of these incredible stories.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Visit sonos.com to learn about the Sonos Ace headphones and more.
Visit openphone.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Your name isn’t just a label. It’s a signal to everyone who meets you, filled with meaning that you may not fully understand. In this story, Dallas revisits one of the most surreal experiences of his life: tracking down five other people who share his exact name. What follows is a surprising look at identity, coincidence, and the curious ways that our names shape our lives. Featuring name expert Laura Wattenberg and six Dallas Taylors.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Buy Laura’s book, The Baby Name Wizard wherever you get your books.
Visit sonos.com to learn about the Sonos Ace headphones and more.
Start your free online visit for hair loss treatment at hims.com/20k.
Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Behind every incredible sound in a movie or TV show is a creative person with a unique story. In this episode, Dallas heads to the legendary Sony Pictures lot during Mix Magazine’s “Sound for Film & TV” event, and invites Hollywood’s sound pros to share their wildest, weirdest, and most heartfelt sonic stories. The result is a grab bag of eye opening tales that span a World War II reverb, otherworldly insects, famous fart sounds, and an awkward encounter with a famous director. Featuring Jesse Herrera, Daniel Colman, Steve Bucino, Jeremy Siegel, Alan Meyerson, and Nathaniel Smith.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Download Jesse Herrera's Hughes Building Impulse Response (“Spruce Goose reverb”) for free by using promo code 20K at checkout.
Visit sonos.com to learn about the Sonos Ace headphones and more.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What happens when one of history’s greatest composers begins to lose the very sense he relies on most? In this episode, we explore how Ludwig van Beethoven continued to create groundbreaking music even as his world fell into silence. Along the way, we uncover the myths, inventions, and raw determination that fueled Beethoven’s defiant creativity, and hear how his lifelong struggles are reflected in his music. Featuring musicologist Laura Tunbridge, author of Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Start your free online visit for hair loss treatment at hims.com/20k.
Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/the-deaf-composer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After 10 years and 400 episodes, our friends at Switched on Pop decided it was finally time to revamp their outdated theme song. In this episode, they take us inside the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional process of making a new one. Along the way, they get brutally honest feedback from top music critics, craft over a hundred layers of swirling synths and cinematic sound effects, and even get some sonic strategy from our very own Dallas Taylor.
Follow Switched on Pop wherever you get your podcasts.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonic-brand-makeover
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you want to know where the future of sound is headed, accessibility is a great place to look. And for decades, Apple has been leading the charge in accessible technology. In this episode, the Apple team breaks down the philosophy and craft behind their most impactful accessibility features. Along the way, we reveal how these innovations have transformed the way we interact with our devices, and could even lead to a revolution in hearing health. Featuring Sarah Herrlinger, Deidre Caldbeck, Ron Huang, and Eric Treski.
Get in touch with Apple’s accessibility team by writing accessibility@apple.com.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Follow You’ll Hear It, the #1 jazz podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.
Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/sonic-accessibility
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Movie trailers have changed dramatically over the decades, from the classic “Voice of God” narrators of the ‘80s and ‘90s, to today’s thunderous “bwaahs” and “boojes.” In this episode, Dallas and producer Andrew Anderson take a deep dive into the evolving art of trailer sound design, breaking down the most iconic trends and overused tropes. Featuring legendary trailers from Star Wars to Predator, plus an intimidating encounter with the most famous trailer voice of all time.
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 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/hertz.
Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k.
Get an exclusive 60% discount on Incogni and a 30-day money-back guarantee at incogni.com/20k.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/in-a-world
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


























I LOVE HAMILTON
Yay! They took my suggestion for an episode topic!
Wonderful background information for this movie.
🎶
🎶
🎶
The country. The country. Heavens forbid you'd tell your listeners what country.
it's why why zed!
🤯
Interesting concept!
octopi 🙄
iturn0image0**Twenty Thousand Hertz** is a biweekly podcast hosted by Dallas Taylor that delves into the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Produced by Defacto Sound, the show covers a wide array of topics—from the iconic THX Deep Note and the history of movie trailers to the science of solar symphonies and the evolution of Apple's accessibility features citeturn0search0turn0search2. The podcast has garnered acclaim for its meticulous research and high-quality production, earning accolades such as the Webby Award for Best Original Music/Sound Design and the Ambie Award for Best Production and Sound Design citeturn0search7. You can listen to Twenty Thousand Hertz on platforms like [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/4E8CLD9KUvrwNPjTP4WGrf), [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twenty-thousand-hertz/id1171270672), or directly on their [official website](https://www.20k.org/). https://upssendungsverfolgung.de/
Love learning more about the history of making the digital world accessible to the most people possible.
Really like it https://geometrydash-23.com
xtream codes lists https://stbemuiptv.codes/category/xtream-codes/
xtream codes lists https://stbemuiptv.codes/category/xtream-codes/,
stbemu codes daily lists http://tvappapk.com/
Love learning more about the sound design for Bluey! And couldn't even listen to the synopsis of "that" episode without tearing up- good grief!
do an episode on struggle songs next. #ceasefirenow
I can't cope with her voice. She's doing that annoying vocal fry thing.