I am also a teacher a qualifed music and music technology teacher. Below are some resources and a few "What is Compression" guides. Some of the stuff below can be used in the classroom and some as a guide.

I would appreciate you keeping the file as they are - but understand that it's not always desirable.

If anything I hope it may help you build a resource that suits you and will aid you. I will add more over the coming months, and years...

Music and Music Technology Resources

Many of the resources are based around Logic Pro - but the priciples remain universal. You will probably need some fundamental understanding and they will also need additional explaination and teaching so that all students will understand.

1. Basic Audio Editing in Logic Pro 9 (21/09/2011)- this resource explains basic music/audio editing tools within Logic Pro. There is also a task attached based around using Apple Loops (for audio editing and instroduction only, I never endorse the use of Apple Loops as a composing tool!)

2. Compression Explained (04/10/2011) - this resource explains music compression, you will also find a research task at the botttom of this resource. The simplist way to explain compression is that it is like automatic volume control.

3. Signal Flow (06/10/2011) - any mixer should be set up to whatever works best for the situation you are working in. In this instance the Noise Gate is before the Gain, why? If I increase the Gain it will affect all the settings in the Noise Gate. The important thing to note is this: you need to think about Signal Flow, it's an important aspect of the mixing and mastering process. Audio file to accompany is available on request, please email.

4. The Circle of Fifths (08/01/2012) - The Circle of Fifths is used by composers and those who wish to know how certain keys are related and constructed. Also, to understand and remember a logical way to find out how many sharps or flats a key has.

More will follow soon. Next up: Modulation....