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artsAug 13, 202533:14pending

Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo’s 8-Bit Masterpiece

About this episode

From the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable. With just five lo-fi audio channels and 40 kilobytes of space, composer Koji Kondo created a soundscape full of unforgettable melodies. In this episode, we explore how Kondo’s playful instincts, rhythmic trickery, and love of jazz fusion defined the sound of Mario. Featuring Kirk Hamilton of Strong Songs and Thomas of Thomas Game Docs. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mystery.20k.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow Dallas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join our community on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow Kirk Hamilton’s podcasts Strong Songs and Triple Click. Subscribe to Thomas’ Youtube channel, Thomas Game Docs. Sign up for Riverside for free at creators.riverside.com/20K, and get 20% off a Riverside Pro subscription using promo code 20k. Visit ⁠⁠openphone.com/20k⁠⁠ for 20% of your first 6 months. Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at ⁠⁠⁠indeed.com/hertz⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo’s 8-Bit Masterpiece

Twenty Thousand Hertz

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