Nails on a chalkboard. Out-of-phase audio. The emergency broadcast alert. What is objectively the WORST sound ever? In this episode of The Parp Donk Podcast, we're diving deep into the most annoying, irritating, and cringe-worthy sounds known to humanity — and sharing the hilarious stories behind them.

Whether you're an audiophile with a vendetta, or just someone who can't stand the sound of someone chewing, this episode is for you.

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#WorstSounds #NailsOnAChalkboard #AnnoyingSounds #Podcast #Comedy #FunnyStories 

Part 2 of our in-depth conversation with media executive Fred Seibert (MTV, Hanna-Barbera, Fred/Alan). The MTV promise unpacked, legendary holiday parties, and a forthcoming Mississippi Fred McDowell remix that nobody saw coming. Music history, media history, and the blues — all in one conversation.

Fred Seibert was part of the creative team that launched MTV, catapulted Nickelodeon to the #1 kids network, lead Hanna-Barbera productions, and also produced numerous hit cartoons, including Dexter's Laboratory, the Fairly OddParents, the Powerpuff Girls, and Adventure Time so much more. Join the Parpers for a chat with Fred about work--risk-taking, mentorship, and of course the importance of audio!

EP11

Episode 10

Every creative field has its outsider art — work that exists completely outside the mainstream and is all the more fascinating for it. Tom Clack's "Biggest Bowel Movement Bar None" is Parp Donk's exhibit A. Jim, John, and Amanda discuss what makes it repulsive, brilliant, and genuinely worth your time.

Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin

Episode 9

Compression is one of the most misunderstood, but powerful tools in audio. Few people understand compression better than Dave Derr, creator of the legendary Distressor.

In part two of our conversation with the Empirical Labs founder, the Parpers dig into compression and saturation. Listen to our chat with Dave to find out what makes the Distressor one of the most widely used pieces of gear in audio. Essential listening for anyone serious about audio post-production, music production, or mixing.

Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin

Episode 8

EQ is one of the most powerful tools in audio post-production and few people are better qualified to discuss it than Dave Derr, founder of Empirical Labs and one of the most respected figures in professional audio gear design. 

The Parpers sit down with Dave for a deep dive into how EQ works, how to use it musically and surgically, and what separates instinctive listening from technical understanding. Whether you're mixing podcasts, music, or audio for film, this conversation will change how you hear.

Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin

Episode 7

Some of the most powerful sounds in film and media weren't created in a studio — they were captured in the wild. The Parpers discuss the gear, the techniques, and the mindset behind great field recording, and including microphone selection for location recording, handling noise, and how raw environmental sound becomes usable audio in post-production. If you've ever believed that the best sounds are found rather than made, this episode will confirm everything you suspected.

Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin

Episode 6

Foley is the craft of creating everyday sounds in a studio — footsteps, clothing rustle, the clink of a glass — and it's one of the most performance-driven crafts in all of audio post-production. Jim, John, and Amanda explore the Foley process through a collection of sound that has to be heard to be believed. If you've ever wondered how film and television sound designers make invented sounds feel completely real, this episode is your answer.

Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin

Episode 5

Whether it's a physical box on your desk or a software solution living inside your DAW, the audio interface is the critical link between your microphone and everything that happens next.

Jim and John break down everything a home studio engineer needs to know: bit depth, sample rate, latency, preamp quality, and how to choose the right interface for your budget and workflow. Brands and models discussed include options across every price range, from beginner home recording setups to professional audio production environments.

Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin

EPISODE 4

Not all microphones are created equal — and choosing the wrong one can sink an otherwise great recording, but a great mic in a bad room sounds worse than a cheap mic in a treated one. 

Jim Stauffer and John put a range of mics to the test: condenser mics, dynamic mics, and ribbon mics. Whether you're setting up a home recording studio for the first time or refining an existing setup, this episode covers mic selection, microphone placement, acoustic treatment, and the essential do's and don'ts of voice recording at home.

Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin