
Twenty Thousand Hertz
The stories behind the world’s most iconic and fascinating sounds.
Latest episodes

Jul 8, 2020 • 34min
Hamilton’s Sonic Secrets: Behind the Broadway phenomenon
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 favorite broadway musical! Featuring Nevin Steinberg, Hamilton’s Tony-nominated sound designer, Benny Reiner, Grammy-winning Hamilton percussionist, Anna-Lee Craig, Hamilton on Broadway A2, and Broadway sound design legend Abe Jacob.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/hamiltonremix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 24, 2020 • 29min
Stop, Collaborate and Listen: Can you copyright a vibe?
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 Aistars.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Adam’s Youtube channel.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/stopcollaborateandlisten Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 10, 2020 • 30min
Copyrights & Wrongs: Musical Inspiration vs. Plagiarism
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 disputes and try to decode them. Featuring Adam Neely and Sandra Aistars.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Adam’s Youtube channel.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/copyrightsandwrongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 2020 • 32min
Makin’ Whoopee: The hilarious history & science of fart sounds
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 simple whoopee cushion. In this episode from the podcast Brought to You By, Charlie Herman reports on the history of the whoopee cushion and why we can't help but laugh when we hear that sound.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Subscribe to Brought to You By wherever you get your podcasts.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/makinwhoopee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 2020 • 35min
Pew Pew! The making of Star Wars’ iconic sounds
When you think about Star Wars, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Lightsabers? Spaceships? Alien creatures? What about all of the sounds that go with those things? How were those sounds made, and what makes them so good? In this episode, we explore how legendary Sound Designer Ben Burtt created the sonic universe of Star Wars from scratch, one sound at a time. Featuring Marshall McGhee.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Marshall’s Youtube channel Waveform. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/starwarspewpew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 29, 2020 • 26min
That’s All Folks! Mel Blanc’s curtain call
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 source that saved him and hear how Mel spent his later years. Plus, we explore what it takes to pass the torch. Featuring interviews with Mel’s son, Noel Blanc, and voice actor Bob Bergen.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. We’re nominated for two Webbys! Vote for us at vote.20k.org and voteagain.20k.org!Discover Bob’s work at bobbergen.com.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/thatsallfolks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 2020 • 30min
What’s Up, Doc? Mel Blanc and the magic of Looney Tunes
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 industry into big business. Featuring interviews with Mel’s son, Noel Blanc, and voice actors Debi Derryberry and Bob Bergen.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound, and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out more of Debi’s work at debiderryberry.com.Discover Bob’s work at bobbergen.com.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/whatsupdoc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 1, 2020 • 27min
Twenty Parts Per Thousand: Designing with smell
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 industry to see how modern creatives are utilizing works of olfactory art everywhere from Disney World to high-end museums. Featuring Disney Imagineer Gary Powell and former New York Times scent critic Chandler Burr.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound, and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Chandler’s exhibits at chandlerburr.com.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/twentypartsperthousand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 18, 2020 • 29min
Cremona: Saving the world’s most prized violin sounds
There’s a town in northern Italy that’s home to the most famous violin makers in history. The museum there holds some of the most unique and prized violins in the world - but we’re in danger of losing their sounds forever. In this episode from the podcast This is Love, Phoebe Judge reports on how a town stayed quiet to preserve an instrument they love.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound, and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/cremona Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 4, 2020 • 34min
Satanic Panic: Backwards messages and '80s hysteria
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 played backwards. Bryan Gardiner unveils the history behind the backmasking panic and Curiosity Daily’s Ashley Hamer explains why our brains hear hidden messages... even when they’re not there!Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced out of the studios of Defacto Sound, and hosted by Dallas Taylor. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Check out Curiosity Daily Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/satanicpanic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices