Lo-Fi recording set up

December 23, 2022 1:23 PM

My kiddo is looking to record and release music online. Current setup to record is through the smartphone, which is obviously not ideal. 30 years ago, I would have suggested a 4-track analog recorder and mic. The recorder would have ran ~$200 at the time. As we have moved to so much digital, what would be the best economical purchase in this day and age? Kid has an iPhone with Garageband, but everything else in the house is Windows/Linux.

Kiddo is 14, is talented with guitar. Also relatively talented with keyboards, but prefers guitar. Kid's uncle is buying and it's going to be this or a drum kit. So, please save my sanity. :-)

posted by a non mouse, a cow herd to Grab Bag (10 answers total)

An Arturia Minifuse interface - either 1 or 2 - would fit the bill. I like them because they use USB C and work on both systems (could also work USB to lightning adapter using the iPhone), don't require a driver and look cute. They start at about $99 from Sweetwater.

For vocals and acoustic recording, I'd pair this with something like a Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Mic Bundle with Stand and Cable for $142. That's a mouthful, and you can get the pieces separately but a bundle is great for people starting out.

(Assuming you are in the States here for costs, apologies if not!)
posted by socky_puppy at 1:54 PM on December 23, 2022 [4 favorites]

I got a Focusrite Scarlett a few years ago, solid piece of equipment which runs about $200.

Never quite got it all set up, as I tried to use the bundled recording software, which was a mistake and led to many issues.

But the digital interface is fine. I have heard people hook it up to Audacity and go to town.
posted by Windopaene at 1:59 PM on December 23, 2022

iPad and a small MIDI keyboard. I doubt he needs a full piano-sized one. Can go budget with a Korg Microkey 25 (only 25 key, a tiny piano) or upgrade to a 49 key or 61 key, which would cost under $200, not counting cost of iPad. Can sstay on Garage band and add vocals later with a microphone setup.
posted by kschang at 2:01 PM on December 23, 2022

Economical and bulletproof is the sm57, but getting the audio into a digital format might cost an extra hundred and require some work. A miced headset might be a reasonable and easier option.

I am a fan of both Tascam audio recorders and Studo Projects USB mics, but both are in the several hundreds of USD range. (Edit: but trivil in Linux.) I've heard good things about zoom recorders but never have used one.
posted by eotvos at 2:17 PM on December 23, 2022

Best answer: Seconding a Focusrite Scarlet, an SM57, and GarageBand. Some virtual class on recording, mixing, and mastering might help too - or just turn em loose on YouTube.
posted by entropone at 2:56 PM on December 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

Chipping in on the Scarlett — something like a Solo or the 2i2 is also a good choice. I personally don't love them — but you can put that down to years of Focusrite Control software troubleshooting on a help line. The two here don't need the software installed.

Midi: Arturia also do really nice controllers for a similar price level, the Minilab III just came out so you can pick up deals on the earlier generation. Yes I'm a fan girl but they are so nice!
posted by socky_puppy at 3:52 PM on December 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best answer: H2n zoom recorder. Hands down my choice for over a decade now. Easy to use and good results.
posted by tiny frying pan at 3:56 PM on December 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

Another vote for the Scarlett / SM-57 combo. You’ll need an XLR cable and a stand. Class-compliant and should work with anything that can see USB devices, including a lot of phones and tablets (although most of those won’t let you do simultaneous multitrack). I have an older 2i2 that has been used with Linux, windows, OSX, Android, and iPad OS without a hitch.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:42 PM on December 24, 2022

Oh yeah, and in a Linux/Windows house I’d try Reaper as a great first DAW - free to try and runs on the three major OSes. On the phone I’ve only ever used the built in Android voice recorder.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:45 PM on December 24, 2022

Response by poster: Thank you all! Things went sideways (uncle works for Southwest Airlines, other family members were trying to fly in via SWA, etc), so presents were a bit different this year. But, we will definitely use this advice for the kid's upcoming birthday.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 7:23 AM on January 1, 2023