Abstract This study introduces an analytical model aiming at predicting the tonal acoustic sources generated and radiated by the rotor–stator interaction in a fan stage. This model is able to cope with complex three-dimensional stator geometries and it fully accounts for cascade effects, characteristic of modern fan stages. It is based on a proper description of the rotor wake coupled with an analytic cascade response function and with an acoustic analogy. The proposed model is validated for the first time against acoustic sources and sound power measurements, on the Advanced Noise Control Fan from NASA. On this configuration representative of an actual fan stage, the model is shown to predict tonal sources and powers accurately, in function of the rotational velocity and of the stator-vane count. Another realistic configuration, namely the low-pressure CME2 research compressor, is then considered in order to demonstrate the suitability of the model to be used as a design tool in an industrial context. A parametric study concerning both the stator vane sweep and lean angles is performed on this rotor–stator stage. The model produces predictions consistent with studies from literature, quantifying the effectiveness of swept and leaned vanes as a tonal noise reduction mechanism. This parametric study allows defining an optimal stator design for minimal noise emission.