Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Vox Media Podcast Network. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Vox Media Podcast Network or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

How podcasting got its sound ft. Breakmaster Cylinder

46:19
 
Share
 

Manage episode 495804299 series 2301125
Content provided by Vox Media Podcast Network. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Vox Media Podcast Network or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

What if the entire sound of modern podcasting can be traced back to a single Grateful Dead song uploaded in 2001? We uncover the musical lineage that connects NPR's classical gravitas to dubstep wobbles, from the very first RSS feed experiment to the mysterious masked composer who's scored over 200 podcast themes and shaped what millions of people hear when they hit play. This deep dive reveals how podcast music evolved from classical public radio strings into today's signature blend of plinking pianos, breakbeats, and irreverent sampling—plus an exclusive interview with the enigmatic Breakmaster Cylinder, the "Hans Zimmer of podcasting" who's been hiding behind a robot helmet for over a decade.

MORE

Subscribe to our newsletter

SONGS DISCUSSED

  • Grateful Dead "Truckin'"
  • Adam Curry "Daily Source Code" theme
  • NPR "All Things Considered" theme
  • Don Voegeli "All Things Considered" original theme (1971)
  • Don Voegeli "All Things Considered" jazz funk version (1976)
  • NPR "All Things Considered" orchestral version (1983/1995)
  • The Daily theme
  • WNYC "On the Media" theme by Ben Allison "Disposable Genius"
  • Christopher Lydon "Radio Open Source" theme by Dafnis Prieto
  • Disparition "The Ballad of Fiedler and Mundt," (Welcome to Night Vale theme)
  • Serial theme
  • Joe Rogan Experience theme
  • Call Her Daddy theme
  • Snap Judgment theme
  • The Breakfast Club theme
  • WTF with Marc Maron theme by John Montagna "Lock the Gate"
  • Reply All theme by Breakmaster Cylinder
  • Breakmaster Cylinder "Outside In" theme
  • Breakmaster Cylinder "Bird Note" (Claire de Lune with loon calls)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  continue reading

489 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 495804299 series 2301125
Content provided by Vox Media Podcast Network. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Vox Media Podcast Network or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

What if the entire sound of modern podcasting can be traced back to a single Grateful Dead song uploaded in 2001? We uncover the musical lineage that connects NPR's classical gravitas to dubstep wobbles, from the very first RSS feed experiment to the mysterious masked composer who's scored over 200 podcast themes and shaped what millions of people hear when they hit play. This deep dive reveals how podcast music evolved from classical public radio strings into today's signature blend of plinking pianos, breakbeats, and irreverent sampling—plus an exclusive interview with the enigmatic Breakmaster Cylinder, the "Hans Zimmer of podcasting" who's been hiding behind a robot helmet for over a decade.

MORE

Subscribe to our newsletter

SONGS DISCUSSED

  • Grateful Dead "Truckin'"
  • Adam Curry "Daily Source Code" theme
  • NPR "All Things Considered" theme
  • Don Voegeli "All Things Considered" original theme (1971)
  • Don Voegeli "All Things Considered" jazz funk version (1976)
  • NPR "All Things Considered" orchestral version (1983/1995)
  • The Daily theme
  • WNYC "On the Media" theme by Ben Allison "Disposable Genius"
  • Christopher Lydon "Radio Open Source" theme by Dafnis Prieto
  • Disparition "The Ballad of Fiedler and Mundt," (Welcome to Night Vale theme)
  • Serial theme
  • Joe Rogan Experience theme
  • Call Her Daddy theme
  • Snap Judgment theme
  • The Breakfast Club theme
  • WTF with Marc Maron theme by John Montagna "Lock the Gate"
  • Reply All theme by Breakmaster Cylinder
  • Breakmaster Cylinder "Outside In" theme
  • Breakmaster Cylinder "Bird Note" (Claire de Lune with loon calls)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  continue reading

489 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play