Episode 272: Jerry Thompson
Stern Pinball sound designer Jerry Thompson discusses his latest work on TMNT and how this Texan got to create audio to several pinball machines.
Kineticist’s take
Jerry Thompson on becoming Stern's premier sound designer after radio career and pinball fandom.
Synopsis
Jerry Thompson, a legendary Stern Pinball sound designer and producer, discusses his 22-year journey from pinball collector and radio professional to architect of some of modern pinball's most acclaimed soundscapes. He recounts how he transitioned into pinball work through the Seattle Pinball Expo he helped organize, his evolution from voice work assistant to full sound package designer, and the creative process behind iconic games like Ghostbusters, Batman 66, Jurassic Park, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Munsters, and Beatles. Thompson emphasizes collaboration, licensing constraints, and the immersive power of sound design in creating authentic game experiences.
Entities
- Stern Pinball· company
- Seattle Pinball Expo· event
- Batman 66· game
- Beatles· game
- Ghostbusters· game
- Jurassic Park· game
- Munsters· game
- Woe Nelly· game
- Modern Pinball· organization
- Adam West· person
- Chris Franchi· person
- Cousin Brucie· person
- Dean Grover· person
- Dennis Nordman· person
- Dwight Sullivan· person
- George Gomez· person
- Greg Ferris· person
- Jerry Thompson· person
- Joe Kamenkow· person
- Keith Elwin· person
- Lyman Sheets· person
- Raymond Davidson· person
- Rod Olson· person
- Sean Myers· person
- Steve Ritchie· person