This week, we’re featuring Alexander Distelberger, a graduate of our BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology programme. Now working as a Research and Development Engineer at Noctua in Vienna, Alexander’s career has evolved from a passion for live events to a deep interest in acoustics and programming. His time at Derby not only gave him a solid grounding in practical skills but also in engineering, which helped him pivot towards his current role in R&D. Alexander’s journey highlights how Derby’s diverse curriculum can open doors to unexpected and exciting career paths.
Alexander Distelberger, Class of 2014
Hometown:
Sheffield
Current location:
Vienna, Austria
Current job + employer:
Research and Development Engineer, Noctua
What did you do/study prior to coming to Derby?
A Levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Music
Why did you choose to go to the University of Derby?
Because the course teaches both the practical elements but also has a strong engineering basis.
Did you start the course with a specific focus or were you undecided?
Think I started wanting to do lights, but ended up going more into the programming and acoustics side.
Did that focus change on the course? If so, how?
Ended up doing the electronics modules and especially enjoyed the multichannel and the audio DSP modules.
Has that focus changed on graduating? If so, how?
I wanted to continue my studies and completed a MSc at York, since the Derby MSc Audio Engineering program was not yet up and running at the time. If it was, I probably would’ve stayed and done my Masters in Derby, though York was a great experience for other reasons, too.
What was the most useful thing you learned on the course?
Covers such a broad range of topics. But for me, multichannel audio.
What did you learn on the course that you thought you’d never use, but that has come in handy during your career?
MATLAB. Most students in my cohort wondered why they were having to learn it, but it has been a very useful tool in my career so far, and it will continue to be useful. Also, thinking about risk management for live events, but then applying the same principles and thought processes to consumer audio product manufacturing.
What was your favourite establishment in Derby (pub, bar, club, restaurant, etc.)?
Five Lamps Pub
What is your most memorable moment from Derby?
Recording an ambisonic soundscape in the Derby Cathedral clock tower on a very windy day.
What/who at Derby most influenced your life, and how/why?
My friends from the course, who are still some of my best friends today.
What would you say to a Derby first year student, knowing what you know now?
You may want to work on gigs. You may want to work at festivals, and that’s great, you will learn all that you need to be able to do that at Derby. You will also learn a whole lot more. That is what makes the courses at Derby stand out. With all the engineering, theoretical, and scientific knowledge acquired during the degree programs, your career options are broadened immensely and you may end up doing something you never imagined.
What have you done professionally since graduating?
MSc in Audio and Music Technology at the University of York. Acoustic Engineer for a MEMS loudspeaker company mainly working on developing consumer audio devices based on their MEMS loudspeaker technology. This included multidriver surround sound headphones that aim to recreate externalised sources by inducing pinnae frequency shaping similar to a real externalised source. Also included working on bluetooth audio glasses, production requirements, prototype development, failure analysis etc.
Have any Derby alumni or staff opened any doors for you? If so, who?
Charlie Middlicott got me an interview for consumer audio device development at Sky, although I wan’t in a position at the time to move London for the position.
What is your most memorable moment from your career so far?
Getting my own HRTFs measured at the Acoustic Research Institute in Vienna.
What are your future career plans/ambitions?
Continue to work in acoustic engineering. Possibly pivot more into room acoustics.