Ta-da! The history of Windows’ classic startup sounds

Twenty Thousand Hertz

Dallas Taylor

Music, Design, Arts, Music Commentary

4.8 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 27 April 2022

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Over the years, Microsoft has made at least ten iconic startup sounds for Windows—from the triumphant “Ta-da!” of Windows 3.1, to the ambient chime that Brian Eno crafted for Windows 95, to the orchestral sweep of Windows XP. In this episode, we explore the creation of the classic Windows startup sounds through Windows 7, and what each one says about Microsoft’s evolving technology. Featuring former Microsoft Lead UI Designer Jensen Harris and Sound Designer Matthew Bennett. Apply for the full time Associate Producer position here. The application closes on May 11th. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Reddit and Facebook. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Subscribe to Jensen Harris’ Youtube channel. Learn about Matthew Bennett’s latest work here. To check out full sets of default Windows sounds, visit winsounds.com. Sign up for a MEL Science subscription at melscience.com/sBGX to get 60% off your first month. This limited offer is available for 1 month only. Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times. Visit zocdoc.com/20k to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/tadaitswindows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	It's a new year and many of us are committing to exercising and eating healthier.
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0:12.0	Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoch.com slash Hertz to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.
0:19.7	That's Z-O-C-D-O-C.com slash H-E-R-T-Z.
0:24.1	Zocococ.com slash Hertz.
0:30.4	You're listening to 20,000 Hertz.
0:34.1	Right, can you check disk temperatures, please, Malcolm?
0:36.8	Okay, disc up to speed.
0:38.3	What you're hearing right now is a BBC recording of a computer starting up in the late 60s.
0:43.3	At the time, it took half a dozen people spread throughout different rooms just to boot it up.
0:49.3	Okay, for standby.
0:51.3	Switch on standby.
0:52.3	This long-winded process involved giant levers, a ton of switches, and even oil and temperature
0:59.1	checks.
1:00.1	Right, keys in.
1:01.1	Can you check this oil level, please, Harry?
1:03.2	Oil OK.
1:04.2	Standby coming on. Back in the 1960s, most people had never even seen a computer.
1:19.6	These primitive machines often filled entire rooms and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
1:25.6	But soon enough, engineers started to pack more and more power into less and less space.
1:32.2	By the mid-80s, many people could buy a powerful computer that would fit on their desk.
	...

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