Angelo Farina - biography
 Waves is very proud of our association with Professor Ing. Angelo Farina. Professor Farina has a long and illustrious career in audio. Born and residing in Parma Italy, he is presently on the faculty of the University of Parma as a Professor of Environmental Technical Physics in the Industrial Engineering Department.
Angelo Farina graduated at the University of Bologna in 1982 with a "laurea" degree in Civil Engineering, and earned a Ph.D. in Technical Physics from this university in 1987. In both cases the theses were about Applied Acoustics topics. In 1986 he became Researcher in Environmental Technical Physics. Since 1990 he teaches Applied Thermal Fluid Dynamics at the Engineering Faculty of the University of Parma - Since 1995 he teaches also Thermotechnics and Applied Fluid Dynamics at the same University. He become Associated Professor in Environmental Technical Physics on 1st November 1998, and since then he is holding courses of Technical Physics at the faculties of Engineering, Architecture and Medicine.
Professor Farina has conducted extensive research in almost all the fields of Acoustics with particular focus in; digital signal processing techniques for acoustical measurements, audio effects and numerical models for the sound field estimation in closed and open spaces. He has developed new measurement techniques, based on the employment of binary pseudo-random signals (MLS) and recently on exponentially swept sinusoidal signals.
These techniques allow for the easy measurement of the sound propagation in working places, outdoors, and in concert halls and auditoriums. These new techniques make it possible to measure "in situ" the acoustical properties of materials. These techniques have been used in applications for the evaluation of the sound absorption coefficient and sound reduction index of porous road surfaces and noise shields.
Professor Farina has considerable experience with creating software for the design of theatres and concert halls, sound diffusion systems, workplaces and for the dimensioning of sound reduction devices both indoors and outdoors. Some of these programs have been released as commercial software in Italy and worldwide.
RAMSETE , a Pyramid Tracing program for the simulation of the sound propagation in closed spaces and outdoors, was launched at the beginning of 1993. One year later It was followed by ,
AURORA, a suite of software tools enabling the measurement of impulse responses or to recover them from Ramsete simulations, and to use them as filters for making Virtual Acoustics Reality simulations (auralisations). The coupling of these two programs enables the production of audible simulations (on headphones or a suitable set of loudspeaker) of the various design hypotheses, starting from anechoic speech, music or noise.
Professor Farina has participated in Environmental Impact Evaluations of large infrastructure projects, co-operating with experts of chemical pollution pertaining to Urban Wastes Discharges, Waste Incineration Plants, and roads or railways. In many cases, the impact evaluation analysis led to Professor Farina, designing sound reduction devices, to meet the specified site criteria.
Professor Farina has been the acoustical designer of dozens of buildings and sound reduction plans, in environmental and industrial settings. Some designs were for deployment along primary highways and railways. Two good examples of designs are the noise screens along the "Autovie Venete" highway, near Siziana (TS, Italy) and along the Ferrara-Suzzara railway section located between Poggiorusco and Ferrara.
In parallel with the design activity, he made a large number of qualification tests, in laboratory and on site, of building elements for noise screens, releasing certifications In accordance with UNI, AFNOR, ISO, DIN standards and the procedures of the "Società Autostrade" (Italian Highway) and FF.S. (Italian State Railways).
Professor Farina has been an acoustic consultant in more than 20 italian theatres, churches and sports arenas, with designs for: the acoustical correction of Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, of Roman Amphitheatre in Verona, of Nuovo Teatro Comunale in Cagliari, of Pala De' Andrè in Ravenna, of Teatro Farnese in Parma, of Sport Arena di Modena, of "Buero Vallejo" Theatre in Alcorcon (Madrid), of Teatro Comunale in Orvieto and in many other venues. Professor Farina developed an innovative approach to the use of ancient churches as multi-function auditoriums, with the Aula Magna S.Lucia in Bologna and the S.Domenico basilica in Foligno, being good examples of this work. Recently he designed the acoustics of the new Mazda palace in Genoa, the first Italian "sports arena" which was designed and built specifically for the usage as a large, multipurpose concert hall.
Professor Farina was deeply involved in the normative activity, taking part to the UNI Acoustical Commission and with a number of CEN, ISO and AES working groups. This activity was supported by a long experience in laboratory tests and certification.
Professor Farina has been a consultant of the Italian Environment Ministry, SIAR (Air Noise Pollution Service) during a DISIA project for the acoustical recovery of urban areas. During this activity, he developed two innovative simulation programs for the acoustic mapping of urban areas (CITYMAP) and for the detail evaluation of the sound reduction devices (DISIAPYR). These programs hold the distinction of being the official Italian calculation methods for the noise in urban areas.
Professor Farina is an member of the Italian Acoustics Association (AIA) and of the Audio Engineering Society (AES).
Carring on the work of, prof. Roberto Pompoli, At the University of Parma, Professor Farina has expanded the development of and oversees the acoustics laboratories. These laboratories are equipped with high level instrumentation and facilities, making it possible to execute any kind of acoustical investigation and to release official certifications. In these laboratories, Professor Farina developed innovative measuring techniques and software "virtual instruments", which place the University of Parma in a position of absolute excellence among the world.
Professor Farina is author of more than 180 scientific papers; a considerable number being in English, and has presented at many eminent international conferences. Professor Farina's scientific activity is principally related to the use of numerical modelling techniques, applied to the optimisation of sound systems on vehicles, and to the measurement of the acoustical impulse responses of theaters and concert halls, and for providing the filters to be employed in modern convolution software plugins, such as the new Waves IR-1 plugin.
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