
Here are our recommended resources to provide your child with the tools they need for crafting their own songs in a fun and engaging way, with or without a laptop and fancy studio.
One route you can take is to get them started with a simple studio with just a computer or tablet, a USB microphone, and headphones. This allows them to build tracks on a screen, record original sounds, and save projects. This excludes external hardware like beat pads, pianos, or digital instruments.
This can evolve to a proper studio setup that includes the laptop and DAW from simple studio and adds monitor speakers for amplification, plus all the tools needed to play digital instruments, record direct instruments, capture vocals with high fidelity, and more.
We will also cover some tactical studio options to cover a variety of portable devices they can use to create music on the go without a computer or tablet.
Simple Studio Price Range: $250 - $1000
Proper Studio Price Range: $550 - $2000
Tactical Studio Price Range: $70 - $2000
Simple Studio
Laptop
At it's core, music making really only requires the station you're creating on and an open mind. We recommend a laptop, but there are also tablet and phone options.
Budget Friendly: We recommend starting with used MacBooks on Facebook Marketplace (2015 or newer): $350 - $1000
Other laptops and desktops can support the software as well, but should have an intel i7 or newer processor. Look for machines that are less than 10 years old ideally.
If you have the budget for base level top of the line, we recommend getting a Macbook with M2 Chip or newer. $1,000+
Tablet:
If you have a tablet and want to explore there before moving to a laptop, you can certainly explore apps like GarageBand for iPads or apps like Bandlab and Soundtrap for non Apple devices. Soundtrap is also available as a web based program with no downloading required and compatible with Chromebooks. Phone:
If you don't have a laptop or tablet, please know that you can also make music with just a phone using Ableton Note (iOS only, $5)
The Digital Audio Workstation or DAW
(the software used for building songs and saving projects):
We recommend Ableton for those who want to grow into the industry standard program with infinite capacity and control over what you want to create. You can start with the base version Ableton Intro at $79 or get all of the features and built-in instruments with Suite for $599. Ableton Website Here
Alternatively, you can try these for free: GarageBand (Free for Mac) Bandlab (Free for Windows) Soundtrap - Free Web Based Program (no downloading required)
Bonus: Consider a $7.99/mo membership to Splice for them to have infinite access to samples and loops to drag and drop for helping craft their music and pull inspiration from.
Headphones
(for listening without external speakers like bluetooth speakers or studio monitors)
Budget Option: Audio-Technica M30X ($39) Top Of The Line: Wireless VModa Reference Headphones ($349)
A device, the program, and a way to listen. This simple studio is all it really takes to create a music making space in your child's life. We recommend starting here to understand the basics of arranging music, then adding gear one at a time so each addition has an opportunity to be explored appropriately before moving onto a new tool. You can even use the built in microphones on your laptops and phones before purchasing a pro microphone.
The next stage of a proper studio, is having the ability to plug in instruments, higher quality mics, and devices that enable your child to PLAY and enter FLOW. Let's explore:
Proper Studio (after exploring the DAW)
There are so many things you can add to enable play and collaborate with others. At the core there are:
• Traditional Instruments (guitars, pianos, brass, harmonicas, etc.)
• Digital Instruments (digital keyboards, beatpads, synthesizers, etc.)
• Microphones
Additionally, having an interface for these things to plug into, and a proper set of
studio monitors to hear the creations in real time with others and not be confined to headphones is always a plus. Let's explore some of our favorites for each of these:
First; The Interface: The Hub of Every Studio
The interface is what communicates instruments > computer < speakers.
The higher quality interface, the higher quality and more control over the audio you receive. The basic option here has simple tech and 2 inputs for ¼ cables (guitars, analog synths, etc) and XLRs for microphones. The Scarlet is big more cost for higher quality but still just 2 inputs. The M Audio option is even higher quality and can have up to 8 inputs for those looking to keep many toys plugged in and ready to record. Behringer U Phoria ($69) // Scarlet Si2 ($149) // M-Audio 192 ($399)
Next, Studio Monitors
Speakers to showcase the range of your sounds properly out loud.
Studio monitors are best used in pairs to portray a "stereo field" showcasing on Left and Right. These will hook to your computer’s interface. You can add a KRK sub ($309) for a proper access to bass. Pairs of 2 Costs: Mackie Cr3-X ($79) // KRK Rokit 5 ($319) // Yamaha HS8 ($679)
Now, to play;
Traditional Instruments It's always helpful if the instrument has a "pickup" or way to plug the sound directly into the interface without using a microphone.
Pickups often come on Electric Guitars, & Bass Guitars, using a 1/4" cable.
Many Electric Pianos also have a 1/4" Output or Headphones Slot as well.
1/4" Plugged into Guitar Example
There is an infinite world of instruments you can experiment with. Here's a fun comprehensive list of all the instruments known to humankind at this time.
If it doesn't have a pickup, do not fear! Introducing:
The Microphone
A magical device for recording sound directly into the computer. You can make it as simple as your own phone's voice memos, or invest in mics for each purpose
Budget Option:
(No Interface Needed)
Fifine K669B USB Microphone ($25) Zoom iQ7 $69 (for iPad users)
Description: A budget-friendly USB microphone that offers decent audio quality. It's plug-and-play, making it easy for kids to start recording their voice or any other sound they want to incorporate into their music projects. The USB microphone options on the market will only work with laptops and tablets that have USB slots. The Zoom iQ7 is the exception as it is iPad compatible.
High End Microphone:
(interface required)
Shure SM58 For Vocals ($99), SM57 for Instruments ($99)
Rode NT1 ($159)
Shure SM7B for podcasts and highest fidelity with vocals and instruments ($399)
MIDI Controller - The Digital Instrument of Choice
A hardware beatpad & piano combo used to play sounds within the DAW. This allows you to choose from an infinite world of sounds that you can play across the notes on a piano, or load drum beats on a finger drum pad and create your own rhythms with.
AKAI MPK Mini ($99) Small Keyboard, High Quallity Functionality
Novation Launchkey ($245) Full Keyboard, Built In Sample Bank
Tactical Studio
This bundle is the Tactical direction for those who want a standalone device for making music without needing to hook to any computers, screens, or tablets.
Less than $100:
Hamzer 61 Key ($69)
Digital Piano with rhythm functions. Allows them to trigger pre-recorded drum rhythms at various speeds and choose from a large variety of instrument sounds on the piano keys.
$101 - $250
Top Choice: Akai MPK Mini Play 3 ($149)
Compact with a built-in speaker and battery. You can use the MPK Mini Play3 without needing to connect it to a computer or outlet. This makes it a great option for impromptu jam sessions or practicing outdoors.
Yamaha PSR-E373 ($159)
Digital Piano with rhythm functions. Allows them to trigger pre-recorded drum rhythms at various speeds and choose from a large variety of instrument sounds on the piano keys. Includes built in lessons and App Functionality.
$250 - $500
Novation Circuit Tracks ($359)
$2000+
A bit on the pricey side but had to include this as it is currently the most in depth standalone studio setup on the market and just came out this year. Featuring many of the tools in the industry standard of computer based DAWs all packaged into a sleek launchpad holding the power to save projects and play with seemingly infinite instruments and effects.
Ultimately, there lies an infinite world of instruments, synthesizers, and studio gear that you can continue to build on from these foundations as you dive deeper into exploring your sound and music making journey.
At its core, we recommend that you start with something simple that you can use to hear your expressions back over time and build on them. This gives you the ability to collaborate with others, learn from your past, and be a listener to your own emotions. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and get gear that doesn’t fit your intuition, so take it slow and let the tools you choose to express yourself continue to grow and evolve over time. Never hesitate to trying things out at your local music store or join your friends in their studios to learn what fits you.
Written by;
Tyler Manning, Executive Director
& Jordan Dale, Gear Wizard
The Boredomfighters Foundation
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