Music EDnet
Cart 0

My Cart

Members Login
teaching resources

Soundlab

Soundlab is Music EDnet’s practical, classroom-ready resource for teaching music production and sound engineering. Structured lessons designed to work alongside the software and tools your school already uses, for your own professional development and your students.

Coming Term 3
View Modules

Pick and choose

The modular structure means you can work through lessons in sequence or drop individual modules into existing programs and curriculum frameworks. Soundlab fits around what you already teach.

Works with your setup

Twenty four practical activities come pre-loaded in Soundtrap projects, ready to use straight away. The multitrack stems are also available to download for use in your school’s preferred DAW.

For you and your students

Soundlab builds your own knowledge and confidence as a teacher, and with Student Access, you can bring the same lessons straight into the classroom.

Part of something bigger

Soundlab provides the learning material for our music technology short courses, and integrates with Gig Based Learning Gig Support, for students ready to take their work down the production path.

What does a Soundlab lesson actually look like?

This is a sample lesson from Module 1: The Art of Listening, one of fourteen modules in the Soundlab music production course.

Designed for secondary school students and built to develop real production skills, each lesson combines clear readable text, an assisted reading feature, images, and audio players.

An interactive quiz is built directly into the page, and every lesson closes with Talk the Talk, a plain English glossary of the new terms introduced in that lesson.

Real knowledge and skills for your students. Ready to use in their music making.

Lesson 1.3
Active listening

Ever wondered why you can hear music all the time but not always really notice it? This sample lesson explores the difference between hearing as a physical process and listening as a skill that requires focus and interpretation.

View Sample Lesson

Soundlab Modules

Fourteen modules. Everything from recording and mixing to live sound, performance tech, and digital music creation. Practical lessons your students can work through, and knowledge you will actually use in the classroom.

Module 1

The Art
of Listening

Sharpen your ears and learn how to identify musical elements, tonal balance, and problem spots with confidence.

Overview
Module 2

The Science
of Sound

Explore how sound behaves—frequency, amplitude, waves, acoustics—and understand the physics behind everything you hear.

Overview
Module 3

Music Production
Basics

Get a big-picture intro to how music is created, recorded, and shaped inside a modern production workflow.

Overview
Module 4

Capture the
sound

Understand what a DAW is, how it works, and the essential tools you’ll use for recording, editing, and mixing.

Overview
Module 5

Open the
DAW

Master how audio travels from source to destination so you can troubleshoot, route, and control sound like a pro.

Overview
Module 6

Journey of
a signal

Discover mic types, placement techniques, and recording fundamentals to capture clean, usable audio.

Overview
Module 7

Digital music
creation

Learn how to set levels properly at every stage of the chain for distortion-free, noise-free audio.

Overview
Module 8

Sculpt sound
with EQ

Understand frequency shaping, filters, and practical EQ strategies to clean up or enhance any sound.

Overview
Module 9

Tame the
volume

Get hands-on with dynamics control—tightening signals, balancing volume, and cleaning up unwanted noise.

Overview
Module 10

Create character
with effects

Explore reverb, delay, modulation, and more to add space, color, and character to your mixes.

Overview
Module 11

Mixing hardware
and control tools

Learn the essential controls on mixers and interfaces so you can confidently operate real-world audio gear.

Overview
Module 12

Mix your song
like a pro

Put it all together—balance, panning, dynamics, EQ, effects, and workflow—to build clear, musical mixes.

Overview
Module 13

Live sound
essentials

Take your skills off the desk and onto the stage, covering PA systems, signal flow, mic technique, and the art of mixing for a live audience.

Overview
Module 14

Technology
on stage

Laptops, controllers, loopers, and DJ technique, performing with technology as your instrument.

Overview
teaching resources

Studio
Sessions

Hands-on DAW projects that put your Soundlab learning straight into practice, one session at a time.

Overview

Real resources for music production

Learn it yourself. Teach it with confidence

The missing piece for music programs

Soundlab lives in the Music EDnet Member Portal, giving you and your whole team on-demand access to every module and lesson.

Use it to build your own knowledge and confidence, or bring it straight into the classroom with Student Access.

When you are ready to go further, Soundlab connects directly into our short courses and Gig Based Learning resources.

Become a Member School
Book an online tour
Request a free trial

The Art of Listening

Overview
Strong musicianship begins with strong listening. The ability to focus, analyse and respond to sound is what separates hearing from truly listening. This chapter explores how sound reaches the ear, how we interpret pitch and tone, and how to train your ears to identify and appreciate the many layers of music. With practice, your listening skills will become a creative tool as powerful as any instrument or piece of software.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the structure and function of the ear, and explain how sound is perceived.
  • Identify and differentiate simple tones and frequencies as low, mid or high pitches.
  • Apply active listening techniques to recognise and analyse multiple musical and sonic elements in a recording.

Lessons
1.1 How your ears are built
1.2 How your hearing works
1.3 Active listening

The Science of Sound

Overview
Great sounding productions are rarely the result of luck. They come from understanding how sound behaves and how audio signals are created, shaped, and controlled. When you understand the science behind sound, you gain the tools to make clear decisions as an engineer or producer rather than relying on trial and error. This chapter explores the core principles of sound and audio, giving you the foundations you need to manage signals confidently and create mixes and productions that sound balanced, intentional, and professionally made.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Explain how sound waves are created and how they travel through space and materials
  • Develop a working understanding of key audio engineering concepts used in recording, mixing, and production
  • Recognise why audio theory matters and how technical understanding supports creative and artistic decisions in music production

Lessons
2.1 Making sense of sound
2.2 Waves in action
2.3 Loud and clear
2.4 Electronics concepts in audio gear
2.5 Controlling sound in rooms
2.6 From source to speaker
2.7 Audio in the digital world

Music Production Basics

Overview
Music production is the art of turning ideas into fully formed songs and musical pieces. In this module, you will explore the foundations of creating music, from understanding the anatomy of a song to the tools and techniques that bring a composition to life. You will learn how producers balance instruments, manipulate effects, and shape sound to create emotion and impact. By the end of this module, you will have a strong grasp of how songs are built and produced, inspiring you to experiment and practise key production techniques.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Identify different styles of music production
  • Identify the key elements of a song or musical piece
  • Confidently practice production techniques used in music production

Lessons
3.1 Music is everywhere
3.2 Anatomy of a song
3.3 Elements of a production

3.4 Techniques for producing

Capture the sound

Overview
Capturing great audio is where every strong production begins. The quality of your recording is shaped long before mixing, starting with how you choose and position your microphone. In this module, you will explore how microphones respond to sound, how different types suit different situations, and how thoughtful placement can dramatically improve your results. By developing these skills, you will be able to record cleaner, more controlled audio that sets a solid foundation for everything that follows.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Explain how microphones convert sound into an audio signal
  • Identify how polar patterns, transient response, and frequency response influence recordings
  • Apply effective microphone placement techniques in a range of recording situations

Lessons
4.1 The mechanics of microphones
4.2 How a microphone listens
4.3 Pick the right mic for the job
4.4 Find the sound, place the mic
4.5 Capturing sound in stereo
4.6 Get the signal in the DAW
4.7 Plan the recording, nail the result

Open the DAW

Overview
The Digital Audio Workstation is the central hub of modern music creation. It is where ideas are recorded, arranged, edited, and shaped into finished tracks. In this module, you will learn how to navigate a DAW with confidence, explore its core features, and begin working with audio in a practical way. By building familiarity with this environment, you will unlock a powerful creative tool that supports everything from simple recordings to full productions.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Outline the core features and purpose of a Digital Audio Workstation
  • Edit and refine audio using basic waveform tools
  • Use signal processing techniques to shape and modify recorded sound

Lessons
5.1 Introduction to DAWs
5.2 Read the audio ‘waveform’
5.3 Basic tools you’ll find in all DAWs
5.4 Plug ins

Journey of a signal

Overview
Every sound in a production follows a path, moving from input to output through a series of stages. Understanding this journey allows you to control how audio is shaped, processed, and combined into a final mix. In this module, you will explore how signals travel through both hardware and software, and how managing levels at each stage affects clarity and quality. By developing a strong understanding of signal flow and gain control, you will be able to make confident decisions that keep your recordings clean, balanced, and professional.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Explain how audio signals move through a production environment and identify common connection types
  • Distinguish between in line and side chain processing within a signal path
  • Manage signal levels effectively by interpreting meters and applying gain structure principles

Lessons
6.1 Ins, outs, tracks and busses
6.2 In-line signal processing
6.3 Sends and returns
6.4 Get creative with signal routing
6.5 Set the right levels
6.6 Unity – your new best friend
6.7 Gain structure in action

Digital music creation

Overview
Creating music digitally opens up endless possibilities across genres, not just electronic music. Modern production tools let you capture ideas, experiment with sounds, and bring compositions to life with flexibility and precision. In this module, you will explore how digital tools shape music creation, learn to work with virtual instruments, and develop the skills to produce music in a range of styles. By the end, you will have the confidence to turn ideas into finished pieces, whether for performance, composition, or recording.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the evolution of digital music production and its role across genres
  • Create music using MIDI and virtual instruments
  • Apply music production software to experiment and develop original compositions

Lessons
7.1 Build tracks with loops
7.3 Shape Tracks with MIDI
7.2 Create Sounds with Virtual Instruments
7.4 Take Your Tracks Further
7.5 Share and Perform Your Music

Sculpt sound with EQ

Overview
Tone is at the heart of every great mix, and equalisation is the tool that lets you shape it with precision. By boosting or cutting specific frequencies, you can bring clarity, balance, and character to individual tracks and complete mixes. In this module, you will explore how to listen critically to tonal areas, understand how different types of EQ work, and apply these techniques to create polished, professional sounding productions.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the role of tone and equalisation in shaping sound
  • Recognise and locate key frequency ranges within a mix
  • Apply different EQ types to enhance and balance audio tracks

Lessons
8.1 Understand sound frequencies
8.2 Why music needs EQ
8.3 Find the tone in every sound
8.4 Pick the right tool for the job
8.5 Using EQ the right way

Tame the volume

Overview
Controlling volume is a key part of making a mix sound polished and professional. Dynamics, or how loud or soft different elements are, affect clarity, impact, and overall balance. In this module, you will explore techniques for managing signal levels, from gentle adjustments to more advanced processing, giving your tracks a focused, punchy, and cohesive sound. By mastering dynamic control, you will be able to shape energy and emotion in every production.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Explain dynamic range and how it influences a mix
  • Apply compression techniques to control and shape signal levels
  • Use expansion to manage softer sounds and maintain clarity

Lessons
9.1 Hear the big and small sounds
9.2 The tools that control volume
9.3 Compressors in action
9.4 Control quiet sounds with expanders and gates

Create character with FX

Overview
Effects are what give music its depth and personality. Reverb, delay, chorus, and other FX can transform ordinary sounds into something engaging and memorable. In this module, you will explore how different effects work, how to adjust their key settings, and how to apply them in a way that enhances your music without overpowering it. By learning to use effects creatively, you can add texture, space, and emotion to every track.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Identify and explain the parameters of common audio effects
  • Distinguish between different types of effects and their uses
  • Apply and balance effects to enhance a mix without overwhelming it

Lessons
10.1 How reverb shapes the vibe
10.2 Delay for space and style
10.3 Add excitement with modulation
10.4 More ways to shape sound

Mixing hardware and control tools

Overview
Mixing today combines the best of tactile hardware and digital control. Whether using a control surface to manipulate your DAW or working channel by channel in software, understanding how faders, buses, and routing work is essential. In this module, you will explore how to manage signals effectively, use physical and virtual tools together, and gain hands-on control over your mix.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the role of input channels, buses, and signal paths in a mix
  • Demonstrate how to mix using both physical controllers and software interfaces
  • Apply tactile control techniques to manage and balance tracks efficiently

Lessons
11.1 Channel by channel
11.2 From fader to bus: what it all means
11.3 Tactile mixing in a digital world

Mix your song like a pro

Overview
Mixing is where technical skill meets creative expression. A great mix starts with a clear plan and understanding of the tools, so you can make decisions that highlight the strengths of each track. In this module, you will explore the steps of the mixing process, learn how to manage space, depth, and balance, and apply signal processing to enhance your sound. By combining technical precision with your creative instincts, you will be able to make songs that feel polished, dynamic, and engaging.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Outline the steps involved in the mixing process
  • Recognise and manipulate the spatial and tonal dimensions of a mix
  • Apply signal processing to improve clarity, balance, and impact

Lessons
12.1 Imagine your perfect mix
12.2 Clean up your audio
12.3 Set up your mix session
12.4 Build your foundation balance
12.5 Create a stereo landscape
12.6 Make your mix shine with EQ
12.7 Compression and the art of impact
12.8 Add depth to your mix with FX
12.9 Set your mix in motion
12.10 The final polish: an introduction to mastering

Live sound essentials

Overview
Working with live sound is about making music connect with an audience in real time. Whether you are running a PA for a school concert, a band rehearsal, or a live performance, understanding how to set up, balance, and manage audio is key. In this module, you will explore the components of a live sound system, learn how to control levels and clarity on the fly, and develop practical skills for smooth, professional performances. By mastering live sound essentials, you gain the confidence to deliver great audio in any live situation.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Explain how sound travels and is projected in a live setting
  • Recognise the function of each part of a live audio setup
  • Use mixing techniques to achieve clear and balanced live sound

Lessons
13.1 How live sound works
13.2 PA systems and signal flow
13.3 Digital mixing desks
13.4 Setting up a live show
13.5 Soundcheck and system tuning
13.6 Mixing the gig

Technology on stage

Overview
Modern live performance is no longer limited to traditional instruments. Laptops, controllers, and other digital tools can become powerful performance instruments in their own right. In this module, you will explore the gear and techniques used to perform live across a variety of musical styles. You will learn how to use MIDI controllers, launch pads, looping, and clip-based workflows to create dynamic and engaging performances. By the end of the module, you will be able to confidently bring technology to the stage and enhance your live shows.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Transform a laptop and digital tools into a versatile performance setup
  • Operate controllers, launch pads, and MIDI devices to trigger and manipulate sounds
  • Develop live sets using looping, clip-based techniques, and performance workflows

Lessons
14.1 Turning a Laptop into an Instrument
14.2 Controllers, Launch Pads and MIDI
14.3 Clip Based Performance
14.4 DJ techniques and live mixing
14.5 Looping and Building a Live Set

Soundlab Studio Sessions

Overview
Studio Sessions are the practical heart of Soundlab. Each one puts you inside a real DAW environment, working with actual audio on tasks that connect directly to what you have been learning. From your first recording to a fully mixed track, Studio Sessions are where knowledge becomes skill and theory becomes sound.

Request a quote for a Mipro Portable PA system

Free Auralia and Musition Trial

Registration is for teachers, schools, colleges and universities only.

Request a consultation with Music EDnet