Budding Audio Engineer

[welshie]

I've just registered for this forum to ask a specific question.

My son will be celebrating his 11th birthday in April 2022. He is kinda obsessed with recording audio stuff. In the last few years he's picked up various recording devices, things like old smartphones, voice recorders etc etc. He really enjoys connecting them to other devices, even things like FM clock radios and enjoys recording music etc. He connects via 3.5mm audio jack, bluetooth, USB etc etc Sometimes he just records from the FM radio speaker.

For his birthday I would like to get him something on this topic. Almost like a kids recording and mixing device. But I am completely clueless in this area and am wondering what the forum here would recommend.

I am thinking of a max $200 ish budget.

Appreciate any feedback.

[Sam Spoons]

Welcome to the forum. Does he have a computer or tablet? If it's a Mac then encourage him to explore 'Garage Band'. Does he play an instrument? Then an audio interface (and if it's an acoustic instrument, a microphone) would be the next step. Come back to us with more info and we'll be happy to give more specific advice.

[James Perrett]

Our lad is a similar age to yours. One thing that I have found is that you can buy him all kinds of things but he will still insist on doing things his way. So you can give him access to all kinds of fancy tools but he will still prefer to use the more primitive tools that he knows.

Having said that, I would seriously think about giving him some kind of computer that he can use to mess around with sound. A cheap refurbished laptop with a copy of Reaper might work for him. Our lad was given an old Raspberry Pi which we have since upgraded to a newer one. He uses this for quite a few of his projects and it seems to run Reaper and other music software with no problems once it is all installed (installing things is a bit more complex on a Raspberry Pi compared to Windows or Mac but not as bad as it might first appear).

There are stand-alone recorders/mixers like the Zoom R8 which may be within budget and would work as a complete recorder for now. If his interest expands he can also use it as an audio interface in conjunction with a computer. It could be a handy gizmo to have around although it won't offer the versatility that a computer can.

Another possibility could be a keyboard - one of the all in one Yamaha keyboards perhaps. Our lad has a secondhand PSR-E403 which has some very basic patch editing which allows him to create some really interesting sounds. These keyboards have lots of built-in songs and styles so you don't have to be a proficient keyboard player to use them. The latest version, the PSR-E473, adds sampling and a few other features as well as newer sounds. I'd suggest this series rather than the cheaper ones because the keyboard is touch sensitive - although our lad has disabled the touch sensitivity at the moment.

There are probably lots of other alternatives too.

[welshie]

Thanks for replies guys.

He does have access to a Windows PC or an Android tablet

[James Perrett]

If he has access to a computer already then he may find lessons or a studio visit to be more useful than more gear. Maybe even a subscription to Sound On Sound?

[rockydennis]

Since he has a computer, how about a bundle that includes an audio interface, microphone, headphones, and a DAW. I assume you're in the US?

Some examples for your budget

[Arpangel]

One thing that I have found is that you can buy him all kinds of things but he will still insist on doing things his way. So you can give him access to all kinds of fancy tools but he will still prefer to use the more primitive tools that he knows.

Looks like I’ve never grown up then
I’d get him a handy recorder, Zoom etc, and, a couple of decent microphones, start young with this, it will pay off.
Also, get the best possible computer you can afford, load it with Reaper, tell him to read all he can, but most of all, get to know the right kind of people, that can help him practically, sitting in on sessions etc.
But it sounds to me that he has a "musical" interest, and an interesting one too, that should be encouraged as this may be his future, rather than "engineering"

[The Elf]

As above, a simple hand-held, such as maybe a Zoom H5, covers a lot of bases for a beginner. It would provide instant 'go anywhere' mic recording, and also act as an audio interface for a computer. I don't think you could go far wrong with that.

[Dynamic Mike]

Another option would be something like a Zoom R8. Has built-in microphones and effects he could use. It records standalone to an SD card or PC and would be ideal for mixing and blending his recordings. No harder to use than a smartphone and might unleash his creativity.

[Sam Spoons]

What does he record? Himself playing an instrument, others playing, building up tracks from pre recorded loops or WHY?

[resistorman]

I'd ask him what he wants.

[Dynamic Mike]

I'd ask him what he wants.

An eleven year old girl?