How podcasting got its sound ft. Breakmaster Cylinder

July 22, 2025·46 min·4 clips

The original All Things Considered theme in 1971 was made with Moog synthesizers, not orchestral sounds.

This episode explores the history and evolution of podcast theme music, tracing its origins from Grateful Dead bootlegs and early RSS experiments to the influence of NPR sounds and the rise of composers like Breakmaster Cylinder. Hosts Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding interview Breakmaster Cylinder, who discusses his anonymous persona and creative process in shaping the sonic landscape of podcasting.

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