Very Basic Recording Software for 13yo

[Spillenger]

My 13-year-old son (who doesn't live with me half the year) is getting interested in recording his piano playing. We've talked about making up songs together by recording tracks separately and emailing track files to each other (or sending them on a CD). I use Sonar 3 Studio. What would be a very basic, intuitive and cheap program for a 13-year-old that would also be compatible with Sonar? The fewer bells and whistles at this point, the better. He needs something stable, simple and well-designed that has good, clear documentation. It should be able to handle audio and MIDI. And while we're at it, what's the best cheap (consumer) sound card that can handle both audio and MIDI?

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Paul S.

 

[Carter]

As for the sound card I would go with a M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 ( less than $100). for file sharing you would have to go with the same program you have or you will have to go to another level on re-syncing tracks or what not. but a nice cheap powerfull program is Cubase SE $99.00.

 

[Dani Pace]

Your son can download Audacity for free, its a good basic recorder mixer for a beginner and will expose him to the basics of PC recording, its almost as simple as a tape deck and works well with most soundcards. Once he gets the hang of recording he can settle in on the recording software which suits him best. This is not a product endorsement, just a recomendation of a no cost way to learn the basics of recording. I teach guitar and recomend it to my students and so far none of them have had any problems, so i consider it a safe download.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Just use Sonar so you can offer your expert assistance. Why learn 2 programs when you only need to learn 1?

 

[notbradsohner]

is manning1 on vacation?

I say get n-tracks.