Behind every incredible sound in a movie or TV show is a creative person with a unique story. In this episode, Dallas heads to the legendary Sony Pictures lot during Mix Magazine’s “Sound for Film & TV” event, and invites Hollywood’s sound pros to share their wildest, weirdest, and most heartfelt sonic stories. The result is a grab bag of eye openi…

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, a…

After 10 years and 400 episodes, our friends at Switched on Pop decided it was finally time to revamp their outdated theme song.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 …

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 tra…

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. Featuri…

Some people keep promises. Some people watch good movies. I did neither this week and let my intrusive thoughts convince me to watch Desert Monster (China, 2022) on Hi-Yah, a self-important monster flick that tries to deny it's B-movie bonnafides. Thankfully, Grady watched a good movie, Oddity (Ireland, 2024) on Shudder, a chilling blend of creepy …

There are shark movies and there are shark movies. Ninja vs Shark (Japan, 2023) is definitely the former - a bonkers Power Rangers-y shark flick that gets derailed by tone deaf plotlines and an irredeemable protagonist. Also, two folk horror flicks drop this week: the somber Starve Acre (United Kingdom, 2024) on Shudder and the part-Japanese, part-…

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 …

Do you prefer your cave monsters heavy and scary, or wildly ridiculous? Do you like happy birthdays, or celebrations with weird dialogue and flat jokes? Do you like playing with puppets? We ask the real questions this week as we go spelunking with The Cave (Germany, Australia & USA, 2005) on VOD, wonder if some "cult" films should stay forgotten wi…

What's the last unfamiliar vampire trope you encountered? Did it involve aristocratic face paint? This week, we get folksy with unique bloodsuckers in The Vourdalak (France, 2023) on Shudder and vengeful with The Sermon (United Kingdom, 2018) on Shortverse. Plus, we chat about the deep xenomorphic roots of the Metroid franchize and why you should a…

What sound can teach us about our Sun? In this episode, we explore how NASA scientists translate electromagnetic waves from the Sun into sound, and even music. Through this process, researchers are gradually unlocking the Sun’s secrets, from the steady “hum” of the star’s rotation, to the way that solar winds “play” the Earth’s magnetosphere like a…

Did "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" need kung fu? Does an off-the-wall zombie plot twist need the B-movie treatment, or can it work in a serious movie? What do the top men at Tubi think of your genetics? This week, we get wild with Water Monster (China, 2019) on Hi-Yah and get amnesia with Die Alone (Canada & USA, 2024) on Tubi. We also play a…

How do you judge a monster movie? If it's all about the practical effects, then The Tank (New Zealand, 2023) should slither into your eyeballs. If you want a creature feature with a sense of humor, though, head into the outback with Carnifex (Australia, 2022). Both are on Tubi. Also, a record-breaking Thai flick inspired by The Evil Dead hits Netfl…

In the late '80s and early '90s, a seismic subculture shook the streets… literally. “Boom Cars,” decked out with custom sound systems, roamed neighborhoods blasting the bassiest music ever recorded. But where did this movement come from, and why did it fade away? In this episode, we dive into the world of Miami Bass, dB Drag Racing, and the infamou…

Does evil come from within us, or from family vacations to weird islands? What about weird sci-fi tunnels that close randomly? This week, we get gothic as all get out with Nosferatu (USA, United Kingdom & Hungary, 2024) and try to keep from spoiling Get Away (United Kingdom, 2024), Nick Frost's latest quotable horror comedy. Also, Marcus gets creep…

If you turn on the radio, there’s one thing you’re almost guaranteed to hear: a catchy, over the top jingle proclaiming the name and call letters of the radio station. But where did these little tunes come from? Who makes them? And why are they still so common? In this episode, we explore the history of radio ID jingles, and pack in so many earworm…

Every vampire movie feels familiar for a reason. This week, we dive into the OG horror flick - the century-old Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (Germany, 1922), a film that's easier to appreciate and admire than enjoy. Plus, we also flag "elder millennial" references in the short film Last Orders (United Kingdom, 2021) on Shortverse, chat about Flor…

Has a Tinder date with a screenwriter ever gone really, really badly? Do you enjoy yoga on a picturesque bluff? Have you ever been trapped in a phone booth, or a vicious dictatorship with oblivious media censors? If so, good news! We take a slow walk in the woods with In A Violent Nature (Canada, 2024) on Shudder, get vengeful - maybe? maybe not? -…

Are you trapped in an existential crisis? Do you have aging parents with creepy woodworking talents? Have you ever refused to pay an exterminator? If so, good news! You'll feel seen by our episode this week as we chat about The Piper on Tubi, The Amazing Digital Circus on Netflix and Creswick on Shortverse. Also, if a meteor reversed Earth's polari…

Guess who's back ... back again. We've got a new job, more sleep and a clean-ish bill of health, so we're hopping back on the spooky train. We chat a bit about the last few months and share quick thoughts on Werewolves (awesome), Blood and Snow (definitely not awesome), The Well (ehhhh), Clock Tower (awesome) and a few other flicks and games.…

For our fifth annual Mystery Sound Game Show, Dallas invited three friends from the world of professional audio to compete against each other. So crank up the volume and see how many sounds you can guess. Featuring Dialog & ADR Editor Austin Olivia Kendrick, Sound Designer Mike James Gallagher, and Sound Designer Zachary Quarles. If you know what t…

We all know that dogs are smart, sensitive creatures, but interpreting their vocalizations and behaviors can still be a challenge. In this episode, animal behaviorist Daniel Mills reveals the true meanings behind dogs’ noises, actions, and body language. Then, author Pilley Bianchi tells the story of Chaser, the border collie who became known as “T…

Cats can be very vocal creatures, but the exact meaning and intention behind these sounds can often be hard to read. In this episode, cat behaviorist Sarah Brown unpacks the hidden meanings behind cats’ vocalizations, body language and behavior. Then, veterinarian Kendra Baker takes us through her journey with Billi (AKA “Her MADjesty”) the cat who…

Despite Bluey’s enormous, global popularity, the cast and crew are a tight-knit family, often literally. In part 2 of our story on Bluey, the show’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm breaks down the surprising connections between the voice actors, the real-life inspiration behind classic episodes, and how he ended up voicing a key role on the show…

Since its debut in 2018, Bluey has become one of the most popular and beloved TV shows of all time. In this episode, Bluey’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm walks us through how the show began, the unique challenges of season one, and the lengths he goes to give the show its organic sound. Plus, Dallas reveals the secret timing of the Bluey them…

“Blah, blah, blah” and “yada, yada, yada” have had plenty written about them. But there’s a longtime cousin of these phrases that’s much less understood. We use it all the time, yet it’s not in the dictionary. It’s not even Google-able. In this episode, we investigate the linguistic mysteries of the Five Dah Phenomenon. Featuring linguist & philoso…

What's your favorite 90s monster quote? Does un-funny office horror work? Could you read from a screen without tongue tying yourself? Get down on Friday with us this week as we get wild with the popcorny Carnifex (Australia, 2022) on Tubi, shrug at the wasted potential of The Belko Experiment on Tubi and get creeped out over late night snacks with …

The Lofi Girl YouTube channel has over 14 millions subscribers, and at any given time, tens of thousands of people are listening together. Created by a mysterious French producer named Dimitri, the channel features a 24/7 livestream of an anime girl studying in her room, listening to lofi hip hop. In this episode, we dive into the Lofi Girl lore, c…

What's more frightening: anticipation, or realization? Amorous zombies, or giant holes in the ground? We get weird this week with Japanese folk horror classic Onibaba (1964) on Max, ultra-Italian bizarro flick Cemetery Man (1994) on Shudder and the trippy Canadian short Deja Vu on Shortverse. Plus - what major Asian city has not been attacked by a …

The sounds our bodies make can tell doctors all kinds of surprising things about our health. In this episode, we unpack the history of sound in medical diagnosis, from Hippocratic times, to the invention of the stethoscope, to the specialized tools and AI systems used today. Along the way, we’ll hear detailed recordings of these medical sounds, and…

Why is it always rainy after the end of the world? If a serial killer is incompetent, does that make him more or less scary? Why was Wer so meh? Discover the answers to these questions - and more! - as we chat about Into the Abyss (Argentina, 2022), a SciFi noire horror somewhere between Blade Runner and 28 Days Later, and Angst (Austria, 1983), a …

In Part 2 of our deep dive into Apple’s iconic sound design, the Apple Design Team unpacks the iPhone’s trio of default ringtones, the evolution of their alarm sounds, the UX sounds of the AirPods Pro, and much more. Along the way, legendary beatmaker Flying Lotus breaks down his collaboration with Apple, and the Design Team reveals how they use ha…

Would you defend a werewolf in a court of law, even after it jumped the shark into a totally different movie? Would you hide from a villian named Scissorman? Would you pause a movie after discovering your toddler is afraid of the dark? We did! Join us this week as we chat about Wer (Romania & USA, 2013), Godzilla Minus One (Japan, 2023) and Monolit…

Over the last few decades, Apple has produced some of the most recognizable sounds ever made. In this episode, the Apple design team pulls back the curtain on their sound design philosophy and process, from the evolution of the classic “Tritone” alert, to the surprising origins of the Apple Watch sounds, to the inspiration behind the latest notific…

After a waterlogged hiatus, we're pack to slice through the 2024 Chainsaw Awards. Which is better - The First Omen or Late Night With the Devil? Why were Sister Death and Project Wolf Hunting snubbed, and why is When Evil Lurks nominated for best wide release and best international movie? Pick a lane, Fangoria! Also, love you Nick Cage, but Longleg…

This week, Melissa explores a new-to-us website for short films and jives with Rhyme Or Die (United Kingdom, 2021), a blend of 8 Mile and Saw with killer beats. Grady watches Howl From Beyond The Fog (Japan, 2021), a fantastic practical effects kaiju flick with behind-the-scenes footage and a mischevious cat. Marcus watched Brazilian B-movie Cemete…

For this special episode, we’ve passed the mic to our listeners to hear six unexpected stories about sound. Featuring auditory hallucinations, amplified heartbeats, long remembered voices, and whistles both strange and familiar. Sign up for Twenty Thousand Hertz+ to get our entire catalog ad-free. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell…

Sharks are our friends! We should swim with them! Join us as we dive into the chummy waters of the Seine for the "platonic ideal" of so-bad-it's-good shark flicks, Under Paris (France, 2024). Then, watch the sincere but flawed folk horror Black Forest (Brazil, 2018), but if you jump ahead to the 1:18.20 mark, you'll be treated to the finest wild, c…

What's scarier: Creatures from the uncanny valley crawling up to do horrifying things that shouldn't be possible for stop motion animation, or generations of serial killers stalking and scalping their victims? If you answered stop motion, you're right - that's undeniably freakier - but both options are totally worth watching. This week, Grady and M…

Dive deep into fear with us this week as we wander into open waters, haunting forests and chilling catacombs. Melissa goes camping with a grisly throwback slasher in Cub (Belgium & Netherlands, 2014), Grady swims with cocaine-addled sharks that are just barely so-bad-they're-good in Deep Fear (UK & France, 2023) and Marcus gets lost in the ruins un…

Many of the songs we sing to our children are hundreds of years old, with their original meanings obscured by history. In this episode, producer Leila Battison takes Dallas on a dark, surprising journey through history’s most famous nursery rhymes and lullabies, and up through the “Baby Sharks” and “Happy Songs” of today. Along the way, they share …

Just a quick update this week - zoomer humor slays in the trailer for Killer Body Count (Canada & South Africa, 2024), possibly the most Tubi movie to ever Tubi, and the original Nightwatch (Denmark, 1994) has all the offbeat Blockbuster Energy vibes and some himbo-y surprises. Plus, we're taking a week to get stoked for patriarchal nightmare fuel …

Whale songs are some of the most beautiful, cathartic sounds in nature. These extraordinary creatures use sound to socialize, to mate, to find food, and avoid predators. But for aquatic animals, the sounds of human activity can be absolutely devastating. With underwater noise pollution on the rise, what can we do to ensure the survival of these ama…

Cops have challenging jobs. One day, you're dealing with ghost parties and a possessed dog, and the next you've stumbled through a portal to hell. This week, we patrol the not-so-mean New Zealand streets with Wellington Paranormal (2018-2022) and get pulled into Turkish nightmare fuel with Baskin (2015). We also get swarmed by skittering spiders an…

TikTok’s sonic logo is one of the fastest growing sonic logos in history. Today, that little sound is being heard millions of times a day on apps like Instagram, Reddit and Youtube… but creating it wasn’t easy. To make it, the creative team went through thousands of iterations, executed a covert marketing strategy, and fought through a final debate…

Grab your JNCOs and bleach your hair - the 90s called to say hello this week. We chat about the What Is Buried Must Remain (Lebanon, 2022), a found footage flick with all the turn-of-the-century vibes, and marvel at the gravitas of the legendary "Mystery Guest Star" in the so-bad-it's-good stab-fest Mute Witness (United Kingdom, Russia & Germany, 1…

Last week, we saw the moon blot out the afternoon sun. It made us spiral out of control into a binge of cringe, frustration and the worst sequel you've never heard of. Grady unpacks Spiral (Japan, 1998), which begins as an also-ran sequel to Ring and descends into weird softcore porn. Marcus struggles with math in Spiral (Canada, 2019), a queer hor…

The sound of Late Night television is a complex beast with many moving parts. In this episode, we step inside the daily hustle of Broadcast Mixer Fred Hedemark as he and his team bring the sound of Late Night with Seth Meyers to life. Along the way, Fred reveals the highs and lows of working on a high-adrenaline, live-to-tape TV show, and shares so…

What do you call it when you’re homesick for a place you’ve never been? Is there a word for letting books pile up in your house without reading them? How about weather that looks beautiful out the window, but that you wouldn’t want to go out in? For this episode, we worked with Babbel to bring you our second annual Untranslatable Words challenge. I…

Creepy convents, ghoulish nostalgia and full frontal science fiction - we've got something for everyone this week. We give an enthusiastic recommendation for Late Night with the Devil (Australia & United Arab Emirates, 2023) even though a movie theater fire robbed us of the ending, and we debate the Twitter crossfire about its brief use of generati…