I learned music theory through this book : http://www.amazon.ca/Theory-Computer-Musicians-Michael-Hewitt/dp/1598635034/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452116453&sr=1-1&keywords=music+theory+for+computer+musicians

If you're a person that needs a lot of pictures to understand something this is a must buy. It always shows the theory in a DAW so it's easier to understand if you're not well acquainted with sheet music and stuff like that. Plus it comes with exercises and a CD so you can listen to the theories explained in the book. I carry this bad boy with me pretty much everywhere I go.

Micheal Hewitt's other music stuff is also really good.

The way I work is usually really messy (which is something I've been trying to work on), but here's what I usually do.

• I start with turning every fader down completely and start raising the kick at about -8 / -10 dB. Then I raise the volume of each track according to what I hear.
• Then I start panning stuff. The contracts I get are usually rock bands so I put the snare slightly to the right like if you were to look at a drum from head on (it really depends on what style and genre the track is though).
• Afterwards I start EQing every single track.
• Then I start compressing.
• And finally, I add effects to the tracks (reverb, delays, etc.). This part is usually only when i do recorded bands though, I tend to use the effects in the synths I use or just add effects during the sound design stage.

Hope this was slightly interesting! (×ㅅ×；)