The easiest setup for absolute beginners

[DrGonzo]

I posted this in hardware - but it could be software as well. This is a broad question that I don't really have an answer to and I'd like to bounce ideas with you guys.

My wife wants to get into music and I am trying to create a recording setup for her to work on. Thing is that it has to be incredibly easy and straight-forward. She won't have time to sit down and learn Live or how to use different plugins. Or rather, she have time to learn, but then it might be two months when she won't have time because of her work.

So what I want to do is to create a setup where she could record drums, vocals / external stuff and synth sounds. I figure a dedicated hardware solution would be the best, that stays in place, is fixed would be the best.

How would you go about to create something like this?

[roman.i]

The software is the easiest solution for this.

[telecharge]

I'd suggest GarageBand on a Macbook or Mac Mini with a quality USB microphone to start with, then graduate to a small interface and proper microphone if the interest holds. Not sure what the "external stuff" is, but she should be able to use her phone for that.

Acoustica Mixcraft would be an alternative for Windows. There's also Cakewalk by BandLab, but I haven't looked into the new versions/subscription.

[whyterabbyt]

budget?

[DrGonzo]

budget?

Can be a bit of money, yes.

[whyterabbyt]

Bit vague that.

So what I want to do is to create a setup where she could record drums, vocals / external stuff and synth sounds.

Isnt this Ableton Move?

If not, then 'create' could be MIDI sequencing, or recording audio, or both, for the drums and synth. But definitely audio for vocals.
So something just doing MIDI sequencing wont do on its own. So you'll maybe need a cheap multitrack recorder, like a Zoom R12. Plus a mic, obvs.
Not sure if you're after 'whole song' sequencing (ie one sequencer controlling everything) rather than more self-contained devices basically sequencing themselves. The latter seems easier and cheaper; from Volcas to Circuit and Electribes and the like. Maybe also easier to learn one small device at a time than an all-in-one.

[DrGonzo]

Bit vague that.

It's vague in my head as well.

Isnt this Ableton Move?

That's a really great suggestion. I was thinking loosely about OP1 or maybe the old Roland grooveboxes. OP1 takes a bit of time to get used to, as it's so centred around a tape-machine, rather than a sequencer. But Ableton Move... simple & contains most of what one would need. And it runs on batteries. Yep - this could work.

/Carl

[kritikon]

I second rabbit's Zoom option. From what I've seen of those, they're set up pretty much like the old cassette Portastudios. Incredibly easy, no sw needed with enough channels to get whole tracks done from mics and line sources. You mentioned her not having time to learn plug-ins etc, and pretty well any DAW takes time to know and use. I reckon most people could be up and running in a day with them.

Some of the USB mixers can record to card and are interface/mixer in one, but haven't seen any that can multitrack without a DAW. Probably rules them out.

Hardware sequencers, but tbh most of them would be pretty complicated for a newb. Those Digitakt thingies even put me off, and I started out on hw sequencers.

A simple cut down DAW is an option, but again...steep learning curve whichever you choose. And then you need interface, computer etc, though a lot of interfaces come with free sw and starter DAW. When you think about setting up even the simplest DAW/ interface there's a lot going on for a complete beginner.

As for synth sounds, not sure. TBH those Casio keyboards still offer value, worth considering and they can be picked up 2nd hand for chicken feed. She'd get heaps of pianos, instruments, drums with beats already programmed, they're streaks ahead of what they used to be. Ready-to-go without needing a phD in programming. Cheap 2nd hand Roland or Yamaha can be had for proper synth stuff I suppose, but likely cost more. Even those ASM synths are cheapish but not what I'd call easy for newb to synthesis. Volcas and those smaller Behringer units might fit the bill, which probably means MIDI (more complication) or direct USB which means computer and sw (more complication).

[vitocorleone123]

IOS is the easiest way without a doubt

[DrGonzo]

I second rabbit's Zoom option. From what I've seen of those, they're set up pretty much like the old cassette Portastudios. Incredibly easy, no sw needed with enough channels to get whole tracks done from mics and line sources. You mentioned her not having time to learn plug-ins etc, and pretty well any DAW takes time to know and use. I reckon most people could be up and running in a day with them.

Some of the USB mixers can record to card and are interface/mixer in one, but haven't seen any that can multitrack without a DAW. Probably rules them out.

Hardware sequencers, but tbh most of them would be pretty complicated for a newb. Those Digitakt thingies even put me off, and I started out on hw sequencers.

A simple cut down DAW is an option, but again...steep learning curve whichever you choose. And then you need interface, computer etc, though a lot of interfaces come with free sw and starter DAW. When you think about setting up even the simplest DAW/ interface there's a lot going on for a complete beginner.

As for synth sounds, not sure. TBH those Casio keyboards still offer value, worth considering and they can be picked up 2nd hand for chicken feed. She'd get heaps of pianos, instruments, drums with beats already programmed, they're streaks ahead of what they used to be. Ready-to-go without needing a phD in programming. Cheap 2nd hand Roland or Yamaha can be had for proper synth stuff I suppose, but likely cost more. Even those ASM synths are cheapish but not what I'd call easy for newb to synthesis. Volcas and those smaller Behringer units might fit the bill, which probably means MIDI (more complication) or direct USB which means computer and sw (more complication).

As much as I love this concept, I think this opens a different can of worms. Collecting a couple of easy to use synths, mixer and a microphone wouldn't be much of a problem. But getting them all in sync have always been a dark ninja art I never fully mastered. And trying to teach my wife about that would be.... yeah, not a very good idea.

I'm circling back to a one-contained unit. Either Ableton Move - or an older Roland groovebox like the MC505. Or as the previous posted suggested - something on IOS. Maybe something like Koala. I've seen a couple of beginner type going absolutely creative using Koala.

[DrGonzo]

IOS is the easiest way without a doubt

Good point. A simple IOS app like Koala could do it. Thanks.

[BONES]

No MIDI required? If that's the case, use Adobe Audition with a Focusrite (or similar) audio interface. Adobe is subscription based so if it doesn't work out, you just move on to something else.

I have to say, though, that I don't think DAWs are, by-and-large, hard to use. They can possibly be a bit daunting but the basics are generally really easy and you grow into the rest of it over time. So maybe start with a free version of Cubase or the iPad version or something?

[_leras]

What sort of music does your wife want to make, and is she already musical?

Songs etc, probably garageband on iPad as ease of entry.

For Phonk or other EDM maybe Fruity Loops.

For techno Bitwig.

[BBFG#]

I've done this many times for a few different people and the most important thing I learned from it was to not do that. Point them to places to look and rely on them making in their own choices. After all the things I've setup for my spouse, she instinctively always reverts to the first choices she made on her own. (Korg M1)
And she'd rather have a controller without any knobs except the mod/pitch joystick/wheels.


And the others I've setup up have eventually relegated everything to a room ornament.

Show them where to look and get out of their way.

[Uncle E]

Good point. A simple IOS app like Koala could do it. Thanks.

Would be good if it's an app that can be stepped up to a DAW or hardware. iMaschine was perfect for that, it was discontinued last year but you can still install it if you bought it before that.