Twenty Thousand Hertz

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 [https://www.music.ox.ac.uk/people/professor-laura-tunbridge], author of Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces [https://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Life-Pieces-Laura-Tunbridge/dp/030025458X]. Enter the “Sound Off” Story Contest at ⁠20k.org/soundoff⁠ [http://20k.org/soundoff]. Submissions close on May 7th, 2025. Explore the all new ⁠Defacto Sound website⁠ [https://defactosound.com/], and click the ⁠Contact Form⁠ [https://defactosound.com/#connect] to get in touch. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at ⁠mystery.20k.org⁠ [http://mystery.20k.org/]. Follow Dallas on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dallastaylor.mp3/], ⁠TikTok⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@dallastaylor.mp3], ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@dallastaylor.mp3] and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallastaylor/]. Join our community on ⁠Reddit⁠ [https://www.reddit.com/r/20k/] and follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/20korg/]. Start your free online visit for hair loss treatment at hims.com/20k [https://www.hims.com/20k]. Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at ⁠oracle.com/20k⁠ [http://oracle.com/20k]. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: ⁠www.20k.org/episodes/the-deaf-composer [https://%E2%81%A0www.20k.org/episodes/the-deaf-composer] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

After 10 years and 400 episodes, our friends at Switched on Pop [https://switchedonpop.com/] decided it was finally time to revamp their outdated theme song.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. Enter the “Sound Off” Story Contest at 20k.org/soundoff [http://20k.org/soundoff]. Submissions close on May 7th, 2025. Explore the all new Defacto Sound website [https://defactosound.com/], and click the Contact Form [https://defactosound.com/#connect] to get in touch. Follow Switched on Pop [https://switchedonpop.com/] wherever you get your podcasts. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org [http://mystery.20k.org/]. Follow Dallas on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dallastaylor.mp3/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dallastaylor.mp3], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@dallastaylor.mp3] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallastaylor/]. Join our community on Reddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/20k/] and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/20korg/]. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz [https://www.indeed.com/hertz]. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k [https://netsuite.com/20k]. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k [http://shopify.com/20k]. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonic-brand-makeover [https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonic-brand-makeover] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-herrlinger-8051142/], Deidre Caldbeck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidrehc/], Ron Huang [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkhuang/], and Eric Treski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erictreski/]. Enter the “Sound Off” Story Contest at 20k.org/soundoff [http://20k.org/soundoff]. Submissions close on May 7th, 2025. Get in touch with Apple’s accessibility team by writing accessibility@apple.com [accessibility@apple.com]. Vote for Twenty Thousand Hertz in the Webby Awards [https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/individual-episode/science-education] by April 17th, 2025.  Explore the all new Defacto Sound website [https://defactosound.com/], and click the Contact Form [https://defactosound.com/#connect] to get in touch. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org [http://mystery.20k.org/]. Follow Dallas on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dallastaylor.mp3/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dallastaylor.mp3], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@dallastaylor.mp3] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallastaylor/]. Join our community on Reddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/20k/] and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/20korg/]. Follow You’ll Hear It [https://lnk.to/youllhearitpc], the #1 jazz podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k [http://shopify.com/20k]. Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k [http://oracle.com/20k]. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/sonic-accessibility [www.20k.org/episodes/sonic-accessibility] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://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. Enter the “Sound Off” Story Contest at 20k.org/soundoff [http://20k.org/soundoff]. Submissions close on May 7th, 2025. Explore the all new Defacto Sound website [https://defactosound.com/], and click the Contact Form [https://defactosound.com/#connect] to get in touch. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org [http://mystery.20k.org/]. Follow Dallas on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dallastaylor.wav], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dallastaylor.wav], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@dallas_taylor] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallastaylor/]. Join our community on Reddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/20k/] and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/20korg/]. Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/hertz [https://zocdoc.com/hertz]. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz [https://www.indeed.com/hertz]. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k [https://netsuite.com/20k]. Get an exclusive 60% discount on Incogni and a 30-day money-back guarantee at incogni.com/20k [https://incogni.com/20k]. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/in-a-world [https://www.20k.org/episodes/in-a-world] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In the late ‘90s, Brian Johnson and Brian Morden were suburban teenagers obsessed with video games and music. And then, through an extraordinary wish, the two friends found themselves on a journey that made gaming history. In this episode, we explore how a single line of dialogue became a timeless piece of Halo lore, and the profound impact it had on everyone involved. Donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation [https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageNavigator/dfr_landing.html?chid=100-000] and Brian Morden Foundation [https://www.brianmordenfoundation.org/]. Explore the all new Defacto Sound website [https://defactosound.com/], and click the Contact Form [https://defactosound.com/#connect] to get in touch. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org [http://mystery.20k.org/]. Follow Dallas on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dallastaylor.wav], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dallastaylor.wav], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@dallas_taylor] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallastaylor/]. Join our community on Reddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/20k/] and follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/20korg/]. Follow You’ll Hear It [https://lnk.to/youllhearitpc], the #1 jazz podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k [http://oracle.com/20k]. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k [http://shopify.com/20k]. Get 50% off your first meal box plus free shipping at factormeals.com/factorpodcast [https://factormeals.com/factorpodcast]. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/the-autumn-shes-been-hit [https://www.20k.org/episodes/the-autumn-shes-been-hit] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]