PRX · Science

Twenty Thousand Hertz

The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Whether you're a professional audio engineer with decades of experience, a fourth grader who loves sound and music, or anyone in between, Twenty Thousand Hertz will help unlock your sonic world… from the sound design secrets of hit movies, to the sonic craft of jingles and device sounds, to the forgotten backstories of classic theme songs, to linguistic mysteries, psychoacoustics, video game music, animal communication, and beyond. With moving human stories, immersive sound design, and the guiding voice of host Dallas Taylor, Twenty Thousand Hertz has grown into the world’s leading podcast about sound. New to the show? Start here: • I'm Lovin' It: How “Ba da ba ba ba” took over the world • The Art of Foley: Bringing Slimer & Batman to life • Tudum! The story behind the iconic Netflix sound • Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo's 8-Bit Masterpiece • Inside Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios • A sonic journey through the Solar System • Mind the Gap: NYC & London’s iconic transit voices

Episodes

Foley: Hollywood’s hidden sound heroes

04 Apr 2017

16m

What do other planets sound like?

21 Mar 2017

21m

AI processed

Sound requires a physical medium like gas or liquid to transmit pressure waves, rendering the vacuum of space inherently silent. On planets with atmospheres, environmental conditions fundamentally alter acoustic perception. Venus’s extreme atmospheric density creates a muffled, underwater-like soundscape, whereas Mars’...

The NBC chimes represent a landmark in audio branding, evolving from a functional tool for radio identification into the first officially registered audio trademark in the United States. Originally a seven-note sequence played live on hand chimes, the melody was condensed to three notes—GEC—to ensure consistency and mi...