199 episodes

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

Twenty Thousand Hertz Twenty Thousand Hertz

    • Music
    • 4.9 • 24 Ratings

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

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Aural Obscura

    Aural Obscura

    All over the world, there are unique and breathtaking sounds that you can only hear in one specific place. In this episode, we travel to two of the most astounding sonic wonders in the United States. The first is a hidden sound installation in Times Square that might be the most visited art exhibit on Earth. The second is an enormous organ built right into the rock of an ancient Virginian cave. These stories originally aired on the Atlas Obscura podcast.

    Sign up for Twenty Thousand Hertz+ to get our entire catalog ad-free.
    If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
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    Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Reddit and Facebook.
    Subscribe to Atlas Obscura wherever you get your podcasts.
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    Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/auralobscura
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    • 28 min
    All About That Bass

    All About That Bass

    If you listen to vintage music, one of the first things you’ll notice is the complete lack of bass. But turn on a Top 40 station today, and you’ll hear song after song with deep, sub-ratting bass tones. So how and why did this change happen? For this episode, we worked with OnePlus to tell the story of our collective obsession with bass, and the one device that transformed the sound of popular music. Featuring hip-hop legend DJ Jazzy Jeff and Roland's Paul McCabe.

    Buy the OnePlus Buds 3, featuring dual drivers and BassWave enhancement.
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    If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
    Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
    Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Reddit and Facebook.
    Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/allaboutthatbass.
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    • 26 min
    Industrial Musicals

    Industrial Musicals

    For more than three decades, it was common for American companies to put on “industrial musicals” for their employees. These elaborate productions could rival Broadway shows, and featured original songs about the company and its products. And while this music was never intended for the general public, once you hear it for yourself, you might just get hooked. This is a story about bathroom remodeling, corporate art, and one man’s obsession with a forgotten corner of pop culture. Featuring comedy writer and collector Steve Young.

    Sign up for Twenty Thousand Hertz+ to get our entire catalog ad-free.
    If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
    Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
    Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Reddit and Facebook.
    Go to zocdoc.com/20k and download the Zocdoc app for free.
    Listen to Wondery Class of ‘88 at wondery.com/class of 88.
    Get 50% off your first Factor order at factormeals.com/tth50.
    Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
    Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/industrialmusicals.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 31 min
    Into the Huluverse

    Into the Huluverse

    Today, virtually every streaming platform has a sonic logo, from HBO’s classic “Static Angel” to the iconic Netflix “Tudum.” For Hulu, standing out in such a crowded marketplace has been a process of experimentation and revision. In this episode, we chart the evolution of Hulu’s sonic branding across 5 unique sonic logos. Along the way, the creative team shares unused alternate versions for the first time, and breaks down how they used AI to test their latest sound. Featuring Dan Capstick of DixonBaxi, Matthew Wilcock of Zelig Sound, and Reid Thompson of Hulu.

    Sign up for Twenty Thousand Hertz+ to get our entire catalog ad-free.
    If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
    Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
    Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Reddit and Facebook.
    Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
    Get 50% off your first Factor order at factormeals.com/tth50.
    Get 55% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/20K.
    Go to zocdoc.com/20k and download the Zocdoc app for free.
    Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/intothehuluverse
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 26 min
    Welcome to Twenty Thousand Hertz

    Welcome to Twenty Thousand Hertz

    The world of sound is full of great stories. To get in touch with your sonic world, follow Twenty Thousand Hertz right here in your podcast player. If you’re already a listener, send this trailer to someone you know would love the show.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 2 min
    Tournament of Champions

    Tournament of Champions

    For our fourth annual Mystery Sound Game Show, we pitted the winners from the past three years against each other. The result? Chaos and hilarity. So unclog your ears, put on your listening cap, and get ready to play along. Featuring Travis McElroy, John Lagomarsino and Emily Jankowski.

    Watch our video shorts on Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok.
    Follow us on Reddit and Facebook.
    Sign up for Twenty Thousand Hertz+ to get our entire catalog ad-free.
    If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org
    Subscribe to our guests’ podcasts, including My Brother, My Brother and Me, Underunderstood and Endless Thread.
    Get 15% off an annual MasterClass subscription at masterclass.com/20k.
    Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.
    Go to Zocdoc.com/20K and download the Zocdoc app for free.
    Get 55% off your subscription at Babbel.com/20K.
    Start your one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/20K. 
    Support us by supporting our sponsors at 20k.org/sponsors.
    Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tournamentofchampions
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 45 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
24 Ratings

24 Ratings

Rockoni ,

Fascinating, nerdy, accessible – one of the best pods out there

Have been listening for years and if you have any passing interest in sound, music and/or the technology of – this is a must. Hell, even if you don’t – it’s beautifully produced, always a fascinating listen and absolutely wonderful listening in a car, on a journey on your own.

AdamIreland1 ,

My perfect show

It took me a long time to realise that I was the kind of person who was stimulated by sound. I’ve always had a musical ear and more recently have noticed how offended I feel at loud unnecessary noise. This podcast really helped me identify who I am. I frigin’ love sound! And I frigin’ love this podcast! So brilliantly executed. It’s like a documentary for the ears. Inspiring stuff you guys. Thank you.

Aiden O Brien ,

Fantastic show

A wonderful show that I just chanced upon and now look forward to each week ..... always informative and interesting.... also it’s literally lovely to listen to as everyone involved is in audio/ music ... very pleasant on the ear ! .... 5 stars highly recommended

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