Twenty Thousand Hertz
The stories behind the world’s most iconic and fascinating sounds.
エピソード一覧
Doctor Who & The BBC Radiophonic Workshop
What does a time machine sound like? Or a magic carpet? For the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, that was just another day at the office. For 40 years, this oddball collective of engineers and composers pushed the boundaries of sound design, crafting eerie atmospheres, quirky jingles, and the iconic audio of Doctor Who. In this episode, we explore the rise and fall of this pioneering studio with composer and archivist Mark Ayres, and uncover how these sonic wizards shaped the future of sound.Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound.Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus.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.Follow The Radiophonic Workshop band on Instagram and Bandcamp.Visit quo.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months of business phone software.Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month Shopify trial at shopify.com/20k.Get 20% off your LALAL.AI subscription using promo code 20K.Get 10 free Hello Fresh meals + a free Zwilling knife at hellofresh.com/tth10fmLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Butterfly in the Synth: Reading Rainbow’s Magical Theme Song
The theme song to Reading Rainbow has been delighting kids (and nostalgic grown-ups) for over 40 years. But how did this instantly iconic track come to be? In this episode, composer Steve Horelick reveals the unlikely story of its creation, from its empowering lyrics, to its “fluttering butterfly” synth sound, to how Chaka Khan and a mystery drummer helped shape one of its later versions.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.Explore Steve Horelick's work on his website and YouTube channel.Visit expressvpn.com/20k to find out how you can get 4 extra months of protection.Get 3 months of free payroll at gusto.com/20k.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Auld Lang What? The surprising origins of the New Year’s song
Every New Year’s at midnight, we raise our voices to sing a song that few of us understand: “Auld Lang Syne.” So when and why did this become the anthem of the holiday? In this episode, our friends at the Smithsonian’s Sidedoor podcast trace the mysterious rise of “Auld Lang Syne” from rural Scotland, to a New York jazz club, to a classic film and an iconic actor. Featuring folklorist Jim Deutsch.Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus.Subscribe to Sidedoor 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.Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.Join our community on Reddit.Get 3 months of free payroll at gusto.com/20k.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guess That Sound 2025: Youtube Channel Champs
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/tth10fmShop for eye glasses & contacts, or book an eye exam at warbyparker.com/hertzLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Sound of Fallout: From Iconic Games to Prestige TV
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