David Thiel

David Thiel is one of pinball’s most influential audio pioneers. Starting his career at Gottlieb in the early 1980s, he created memorable soundtracks and effects for classic arcade titles such as Qbert and Mad Planets, using innovative techniques—like transforming speech chips into gibberish generators—that became iconic in gaming history. Moving into the pinball arena with Data East, Thiel introduced stereo audio in Laser War (1987), marking a watershed moment in pinball design. His subsequent Data East and Sega pinball games—Secret Service, Monday Night Football, among others—pushed the limits of sound, transforming what had been a series of beeps and chimes into immersive, theme-driven soundscapes.

During the 2000s and 2010s, Thiel’s collaborations with Stern Pinball on titles like Pirates of the Caribbean, Spider-Man, and Tron: Legacy elevated the notion that a pinball machine’s soundscape could be as integral to its appeal as its artwork or layout. Whether crafting adrenaline-pumping rock tracks for AC/DC or cinematic flourishes for The Hobbit with Jersey Jack Pinball, he has spent decades perfecting the art of audio immersion. Today, both established and up-and-coming manufacturers continue to seek out his expertise, underscoring his lasting impact on the industry. Thiel’s legacy extends beyond pinball as well—his work in home console games and other interactive media further proves that once you’ve heard the “Thiel touch,” you recognize the transformative role that nuanced, dynamic sound design can play in any game experience.