Course for sound technicians

THEORY

Acoustics, psychoacoustics and hearing physiology

Walter Lori, sound engineer

Michela Casazza, architect

• Sound source localisation
• Isophonic curves
• The auditory apparatus
• Room acoustics
• Acoustic treatment
• Space Isolation

Digital audio

Stefano Barzan, musician and record producer

Andrea Machini, computer and IT technician

• Digital audio basics
• Sampling theory
• Word clock management

Audio devices

Stefano Barzan, musician and record producer

• Study of different devices and instrumentation used in audio production

Electronics, electrical engineering, electroacoustics

Walter Lori, sound engineer

Massimo Guerci, lighting technician

• Quantities, scales, levels, measurements of each electrical/electronic/electroacoustic event
• Basic elements of electrical circuits

Microphones and microphone techniques

Stefano Barzan, musician and record producer

• Types of microphones
• Characteristics of microphones and their use
• Microphone techniques

Mixers and signal flow

Stefano Barzan, musician and record producer

• Block diagram analysis and internal routing
• Management of input output, aux and effect sends

Sound spatialisation

Hubert Westkemper, sound designer

• Techniques for creating three-dimensional sound spaces
• Simulation of sound movement in space

Operating techniques

Stefano Barzan, musician and record producer

Antonino Valenti, president of Supersonica

• Advanced mixing techniques
• Mastering techniques
• Industrial audio media duplication techniques
• History and use of the MIDI protocol

Spatialisation in video

Massimo Cherubin, postproduction technician

• Post-production techniques in cinema and animation

PRACTICE

Autonomous practical exercises 

Cinzia Guareschi, sound technician

• Studio software
• Soundtrack synchronisation techniques, audio editing, mixing

Guided practical exercises in studio and outdoors (at a recording studio and at Teatro alla Scala

Andrea Ferrario, sound designer 

Cinzia Guareschi, sound technician

• Recording techniques 
• Microphone techniques
• Monitor line management

Project work

Andrea Ferrario, sound designer 

Angelica Lorefice, teaching coordinator Accademia Teatro alla Scala   

• Realisation of a sound spatialisation workshop project

Software 

Stefano Barzan, musician and record producer

Massimo Faggioni, sound designer 

Andrea Ferrario, sound designer 

• Digital performer
• Avid Pro Tools and Dante Protocol
• Apple Logic Pro

Cabling and soldering  

Domenico Vergato, sound engineer

• Types of connectors and cables
• Soldering techniques for cable assembly and maintenance

GENERAL CULTURE MODULES

Music education and listening guide

Fabio Sartorelli, musicologist

Andrea Massimo Grassi, coordinator Accademia Teatro alla Scala

Diego Maggi, musician and sound technician

Alessandro Cornelli, musician and musicologist

Stefano Ligoratti, musician and sound technician

• Introduction to the history of opera
• Analysis of repertory works
• Introduction to contemporary music

Introduction to musical theatre

Andrea Massimo Grassi, coordinator Accademia Teatro alla Scala

• Introduction to performing arts, crafts and languages

MODULI DI AUTOIMPRENDITORIALITÀ

Contracts

Gianfranco Daniele, business consultant

• Types of enterprises
• Characteristics of self-employment
• The VAT number: from quotation to invoicing (fiscal aspects)
• Elements of business management for starting one's own business: business plan and budget

Safety at work

Sergio Tasca, safety trainer

• Legislative overview
• Rights and duties of the various company figures
• Work equipment, movements and postures
• PPE and emergency procedures in the workplace

Professional orientation

Umberto Bellodi and Marco Pasotti, coordinators Accademia Teatro alla Scala

• CV formats
• The active job search and its channels
• The effective management of a job interview
• Planning in professional activity

Various professional figures operate in the sound technology sector:

sound engineer, sound director, microphone operator, studio and theatre sound engineer, music laboratory and sound archive management technician, post-production and live technician. The skills acquired during the course can be used in any musical context.

From 30 June to 11 July 2025 the Academy is offering a preparatory workshop for this course, which will take place online. Those who, at the end of the workshop, obtain a score of 29/30 or higher will be admitted to the course – if they wish to attend it – without having to take part in the selections.

To be admitted to the course, it is necessary to pass a selection test consisting of the following:

• a computer-based test of musical perception;
• a motivational interview.

Two selection sessions are planned in 2025, both held in Milan at La Scala Acady facilities (via Santa Marta, 18):

FIRST SESSION

Planned in March, between 10 and 14; the application must be completed no later then February 19, 2025.

SECOND SESSION

Planned in October, between 1 and 16; the application must be completed no later then September 26, 2025.

The convocation, with precise date and time of the selection, will be sent by the Students' Office at the end of the application period.

Those who register for the first session and pass the selection will receive a discount on the tuition fee. Those who do not pass the first session may reapply for the second, losing their right to the discount.

Full details of the selections can be found in the course brochure.

To apply for the selections, you need to register or log in to the Academy's enrollment platform (https://iscrizioni.accademialascala.it).

Your email and the password you choose will become your login credentials [username and password] that can be used again for subsequent visits. You will also be asked to read the privacy notice.

After registering, enter the information requested for the specific applicant following the step-by-step. You will asked to download, sign, and attach the Terms & Conditions "Condizioni di contratto per la partecipazione". This step is necessary to proceed with the application process.

You will be asked to attach the document described into the official brochure (download it now!) and to pay the application fee of 100 € directly online, via credit/debit card or credit transfer. The payment must be made online directly though the enrollment platform (do not close the page before paying). A summary of entered data is generated at the end of the above steps.

Candidates residing outside the European Union must submit by the start date of the lessons - if they pass the selection - the documentation required by law and by the provisions of the Italian Public Security Authorities for non-EU citizens (request to obtain a residence permit for study purposes).

Scholarships. Students who pass the selection process and whose ISEE (Equivalent Financial Status Indicator) does not exceed 20,000 euros may apply for a scholarship to cover all or a part of tuition. The application process will be communicated in a separate announcement delivered to all those passing the selection process. 

Merit loans and student loans. The La Scala Academy has established conventions with credit institutes to provide other forms of financial aid covering tuition and/or lodging to all students in good academic standing.

For further information, please contact the Teaching Office: segreteria.didattica@accademialascala

The Academy has agreements with accommodation, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and other shops, from which students can benefit - by presenting their ID card - or even candidates for selection, by presenting their full registration.

Once the course has been completed, the student can join the Alumni Accademia La Scala community, a platform that provides the Academy's alumni with a range of services, including job offers, continuing education content, event proposals, conventions and reserved discounts - as well as fostering relations between alumni.