Ken Hale

After Gottlieb/Premier ceased pinball manufacturing, Hale founded his own studio, What The Hale Music, providing audio for arcade video games and eventually collaborating again with Stern Pinball in the 2000s. Notable Stern titles featuring Hale’s sound and music include Batman: The Dark Knight (2008), 24 (2009), Big Buck Hunter Pro (2010), and Guardians of the Galaxy (2017). In each case, he blended original compositions with licensed material (when available), tailoring sound packages to fit gameplay events. By integrating advanced mixing techniques, custom voice callouts, and adaptive music cues, Hale helped establish sound design as a major element in modern pinball.

Today, Ken Hale’s influence can be heard across decades of pinball machines. His transition from analog chimes to digital orchestral scores highlights the industry’s technological evolution and demonstrates his ability to adapt to emerging hardware. Recognized by collectors, players, and fellow designers, Hale’s work laid the groundwork for immersive, story-driven audio in pinball, bridging the gap between traditional mechanical gameplay and contemporary multimedia experiences.