Topic: Sound Design

A new European Union directive requires all electric vehicles to emit artificial noise by 2022 to protect blind pedestrians. The hosts play various proposed sounds for these vehicles, mocking the aesthetic choices of the regulation.

The hosts credit Martin JJ for the current episode's artwork, which features an HSBC laundromat theme. Contributor John Fletcher provided a high-quality audio clip of himself shouting "Kirby," mimicking the departing Pentagon spokesman. The discussion highlights the professional quality of listener-submitted audio and the collaborative nature of the show's production.

The hosts notice a constant "musical bed" or background track playing during an episode of NCIS. They discuss the history of sound design in television, comparing it to the "MTV Cops" style of Miami Vice and the ambient city noises used in Law & Order.

A sound designer for the Olympics reveals that the audio heard during rowing events is often faked using pre-recorded samples. Because actual rowing sounds are drowned out by helicopters and chase boats, designers use samplers to create the illusion of oars hitting the water. This practice raises questions about the authenticity of sports broadcasting.