Kirk is joined by Dallas Taylor, sound designer and host of the fabulous sound-focused podcast Twenty Thousand Hertz.

The two of them talk about what makes a great recording, the ineffable energy of live music, the history of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, album mastering and the "Loudness Wars" of the 1980s and 90s, how music can take you back to certain times in your life, and the merits of listening to albums on vinyl. They also nerd out pretty hard about Hamilton.

FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

• Episodes of Twenty Thousand Hertz on the Roland TR-808, Mastering and "The Loudness Wars," and the audio design of Hamilton
• “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone from Pastel Blues, 1965
• Whitney Houston's legendary performance of  “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1991 Super Bowl
• “Brand New Funk” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince from He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper, 1988
• “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish from When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, 2019
• The 2008 Universal studio fire that destroyed countless master recordings from countless major artists
• “Black Sabbath” by Black Sabbath from Black Sabbath, 1970
• Various songs by Lin Manuel-Miranda from Hamilton, 2015
• “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service from Give Up, 2003
• “Everything in its Right Place” by Radiohead from Kid A, 2000
• “Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)” by The Mars Volta from Deloused in the Comatorium, 2003
• “So What” by Miles Davis from Kind of Blue, 1959

LISTEN TO TWENTY THOUSAND HERTZ:

It really is a great podcast, and if you like Strong Songs you will almost certainly like it, too. You can find the show on all podcast platforms and on its website, https://www.20k.org/.

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May 2020 Whole-Note Patrons

AccessViolation - Aidan Coughlan - Andre Bremer - Andrew Walters - Anne Britt - Bill Rosinger - Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Christer Lindqvist - Craig J. Covell - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - David Zahm - Doug Paton - Erin - Glenn - Jared Norris - Jeanneret - Manning Family Four - Kyle Starr - Mark Schechter - Matt Butler - Merlin Mann - Mickey Clark - Nathaniel Bauernfeind - R Watson - Robert Paul - Ryan Torvik - Simon Cramp - Steve Philpot - Viki Dun

May 2020 Half-Note Patrons

AJ Schuster - Albukitty - Alexander Polson - Amanda Furlotti - Andrew Baker - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Fuller - Brant Brantphillip - Brendon Oliver-Ewen - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Briony Leo - Brooke Wilford - Caro Field - Chas Lednicky - Chris Brown - Clare Holberton - Clint Johnston - Cyrus N. White - Darryl Stewart - Dave King - David Stroud - David Zucker - Dhu Wik - Diane Turner - Duncan - Earl Lozada - Eero Wahlstedt - Elliot Jay O’Neill - Emily Williams - Fishbones - Forrest Chang - Gavin Doig - Georgia Livesay - Gerry Nelson - Jaehoon Jeong - Jake Tinsley - James Johnson - Jarrod Schindler - Jeffrey Olson - Jenifer Carr - Jennifer Bush - Jeremy Dawson - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O’Keefe - Jonathan Daniels - Juan Carlos Montemayor Elosua - Judith Stansfield - Judy Chapple - Jules Bailey - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kate Albury - Kendra Reid - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pennyfeather - Leigh Sales - Malory - Mark Haberlen - Mark Perry - Mark Steen - Markus Koester - Matt Betzel - Matt Gaskell - Melanie Stivers - MH - Michael Blackwell - Michael Bochner - Michael Flaherty - Miriam Juskowicz - Mueller - Nate from Kalamazoo - Nicholas Schechter - Peter Scott - Queen Latifah - Richard Toller - Robbie Ferrero - Sam Fenn - Shane DeLeon - Sheilah - SP - Stephen - Steven Craig Maron - Steven Maron - Stuart Terry - Suellen Moore - Tanner Morton - Tom Clewer - Tom Coleman - Tom Lauer - Toni Isaacson - Wayne Marsh - Zoe Little

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💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺
July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR
Buy Tickets Here

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