Acoustics is the science of sound and its propagation. So far so good, at least in theory. However, things get more complicated when you try to describe the effect of sound, its perception by the listener. Take the example of classical music. Does it sound voluminous and heavy or bright and clear? Powerful or nuanced? Everyone hears and feels things differently. So how does one define the perfect sound? Does it even exist? And how is it created? Such questions are the bread and butter of acousticians like Christoph Franke, sound engineer and creative producer for the Berlin Philharmonic.

Christoph Franke works as a sound engineer and creative producer at the Berliner Philharmonie concert hall. Since 2007, Franke has been instrumental in the conceptual and technical design of the Berlin Philharmonic's Digital Concert Hall project. As creative producer, he is also responsible for producing live CD recordings of the orchestra.
With its Digital Concert Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic has done ground-breaking work to make classical orchestral music available worldwide and beyond the specific venue and schedule of its concerts. The Berlin Philharmonic was the world's first concert venue to place the orchestra in the centre of the hall.