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Artwork for Phantom Power

Phantom Power

SpectreVision Radio
Sound Studies
Noise
Computer Voices
Rabbit Trap
Analog Computing
Jonathan Sterne
Digital Computing
Speech Synthesis
Maurice Rocco
Yellow Swans
Affect Theory
Jazz
Diminished Faculties
2001: A Space Odyssey
Daisy Bell
The Audible Past
MP3: the Meaning Of a Format
Phonemes
Bangkok
Sound Art

Sound is all around us, but we give little thought to its invisible influence. Dr. Mack Hagood explores the world of sound studies with the world's most amazing sound scholars, sound artists, and acoustic ecologists. How are noise-cancelling headphones changing social life? What did silent films sound like? Is listening to audiobooks really reading? How did computers learn to speak? How do race, g... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes89Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureMusic

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Artwork for Phantom Power

Latest Episodes

While Mack takes a summer break, we bring you this treat from the archives: the full-members-only version of his 2024 interview with the influential theorist of noise and affect theory, Dr. Marie Thompson. This episode features 40 minutes of addition... more

Today we talk radio, podcasting, and democracy with Jason Loviglio. Jason is an expert on the history of National Public Radio and a key theorist of how audio media have changed the public sphere. He traces the politics of radio down to the smallest ... more

Today we’re doing one of our occasional episodes where host Mack Hagood talks about a new essay he’s written for our newsletter “Feed Logic and the Failure to Thrive” Mack writes that students and professors are struggling, both academically and spir... more

Today  we talk to modular synth pioneer Suzanne Ciani and MIT Spatial Sound Lab researcher KamranV. Suzanne and Kamran both love quadraphonic sound, and they have a new quad release coming out on June 4th called Ciani/Orkest. They are on a mission to... more

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Recent Guests

Marie Thompson
Associate Professor at the Open University (UK); theorist of noise and affect
Open University
Episode: Noise, Tinnitus and Affect Theory: Marie Thompson Extended Interview Recast)
Jason Loviglio
Professor of Media and Communication Studies, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Episode: Podcasting's Politics of Empathy with Jason Loviglio
Mack Hagood
Writer and researcher who studies sound, technology and culture; author of Hush, Media and Sonic Self-Control
Episode: Digital feeds, malnourished students
Suzanne Ciani
Grammy-nominated composer, electronic musician, neoclassical recording artist
Suzanne Ciani
Episode: Did Moog ruin synths? Suzanne Ciani reveals analog's original sin
Kamran V
Arts technologist and MIT Spatial Sound Lab researcher
MIT Spatial Sound Lab
Episode: Did Moog ruin synths? Suzanne Ciani reveals analog's original sin
Nessa Johnston
Co-editor of Anonymous Sounds, Lecturer in Screen Studies and Digital Media at the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Episode: Anonymous Sounds: Library Music
Jamie Sexton
Co-editor of Anonymous Sounds, Associate Professor of Film and Television Studies at Northumbria University
Northumbria University
Episode: Anonymous Sounds: Library Music
William Basinski
Ambient legend and experimental musician
Episode: William Basinski: From 'NASA Brat' to Space Cowboy
Sophie Nedelec
Marine biologist and bioacoustics expert
University of Exeter
Episode: How to Listen Like a Fish with Marine Biologist Sophie Nedelec

Host

Mack Hagood
Host of Phantom Power; sound studies scholar and author who engages listeners with rigorous analysis of sonic culture.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 133 ratings
  • Listening both broad & deep

    So glad I stumbled upon this podcast! I’ve been fascinated by sound & music for a long time, but have basically no official education in those areas. Listening to Phantom Power feels a little like sneaking in to the sound studies class I never got to take.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    neman jac
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great podcast!

    A fascinating exploration of a phenomenon we are always experiencing and almost never think about

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrySquatch
    United States6 months ago
  • Love it!

    Found the show through spectrevision radio.

    Loved the Graham Reznick conversation and just love the overall vibe and learning going on here.

    Great pod! Can’t wait for more after I finish devouring the back-catalogue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    driven2review
    United States10 months ago
  • Well made. Trashes its subjects.

    I was going through archives of R. Murray Schafer’s Soundscapes of Canada and was curious if people were still talking about it. I came across this podcast’s episode on him and the guests were trashing him for settler colonialism. The host seemed to be in agreement. Not my cup of tea, two stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ratofsumatra
    Canada3 years ago
  • Excellent podcast

    Excellent and varied podcast about all matters sound. Essential listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    artofnoises
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listener feedback highlights depth and accessibility, praising scholarly rigor made engaging.
Audience notes the show's diverse guest roster and elevated sound design quality.
Some listeners mention desire for broader topics but consistently commend production and research.
Many appreciate the open, curious hosts and ability to connect theory with practice.
Clips and interview dynamics are frequently cited as a strength, with thoughtful questioning.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Did Moog ruin synths? Suzanne Ciani reveals analog's original sin
Q: What makes Quark different as a format, and how does it help people access immersive sound more easily?
Quark provides a practical, free toolkit that decodes native quadraphonic encoding and makes immersive playback accessible on common consumer equipment, thereby expanding who can create and experience quadraphonic sound.
Did Moog ruin synths? Suzanne Ciani reveals analog's original sin
Q: Suzanne, how did your early experiences with Buchla and Moog influence your later work and your approach to 'quad' and immersive formats?
Suzanne explains moving from Buchla's touch-plate interfaces to embracing equation-based voltage control and later integrating quadraphonic setups with live orchestras, highlighting the collaborative evolution with Kamran and the shift toward acoustic-chemical emotional impact rather than purely technical achievement.
Did Moog ruin synths? Suzanne Ciani reveals analog's original sin
Q: Could you maybe talk a little bit about the Buchla 100 and what it invented in terms of modular synthesis?
They discuss modular synthesis where each module handles a specific function (oscillator, filter, envelope, sequencer) and how patching connects them to shape sound, emphasizing the open-ended, highly customizable nature of Buchla systems versus keyboard-driven designs.
Digital feeds, malnourished students
Q: What inspired you to write Feed Logic and the Failure to Thrive and how did it resonate with your teaching year?
Hagood describes how the 'feed logic' emerged from observing students' screen time and engagement, and how the experience of teaching during AI and digital fatigue highlighted a gap between traditional pedagogy and students' digital lives.
Anonymous Sounds: Library Music
Q: What caused the 'golden era' of the 60s and 70s in library music according to the guests?
The era exploded due to a surge in independent TV and film production, a broader diversity of musical styles, collaboration with respected composers, and the emergence of new recording technologies that allowed rapid creation and cataloging of music by mood and function.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Phantom Power

What is Phantom Power about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program consistently explores the cultural, political, and technical dimensions of listening and sound. Episodes often pair scholarly context with hands-on practice, featuring academics, composers, and audio practitioners who unpack topics from library music and noise ify to underwater acoustics, podcasting craft, and sound in media. A standout quality is the blend of rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, bringing together research, industry experience, and creative practice. Listeners can expect thoughtful conversations about how sound shapes culture, technology, and everyday life, with notable depth on subjects like race, gender, labor, and ethics in sonic fields.

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How many listeners does Phantom Power get?

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How many subscribers and views does Phantom Power have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Phantom Power has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Phantom Power?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Phantom Power:

1. Weird Studies
2. Acid Horizon
3. New Books in Critical Theory
4. Tech Won't Save Us
5. This Machine Kills

How many episodes of Phantom Power are there?

Phantom Power launched 9 years ago and published 89 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Phantom Power?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Phantom Power?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Phantom Power from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Phantom Power?

Recent guests on Phantom Power include:

1. Marie Thompson
2. Jason Loviglio
3. Mack Hagood
4. Suzanne Ciani
5. Kamran V
6. Nessa Johnston
7. Jamie Sexton
8. William Basinski

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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