Helping a Friend get into Music

Inventor

Hi, I have a friend in Texas, never met her in person but we've been talking on the phone for years and she would like to get into music. She loves to listen to CDs on her computer and sing to the songs.

She has a computer with no microphone so this week I will be sending her this little cheapie microphone that I never use. Then I'll have her download Audacity which will cost her nothing. She's not very computer savvy so even Audacity might be a bit much for her, but it's only 2MB in size to download it, and she's on a modem (yes, a modem!) so software has got to be small in addition to being easy to use. Then I will guide her through the process of using Audacity to record her voice.

OK, that's a start. What she really wants to do is play piano. I was thinking that for Christmas I could get her a keyboard that has a line-in and/or USB interface to the computer. So my questions are as follows:

Is there anything easier to use than Audacity that's free and has a small download size? What very inexpensive keyboard can I get for her? What other recommendations do you have? Thanks for your reply.

Les

Wout Blommers

Inventor · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:29 am Post subject:

Wout, I only have $41 to pay for her present, including shipping to Texas. I was thinking that perhaps one of those toy keyboards that Danno Gee Ray collects would be good enough to get something, however toy-like it may be, in her hands. What do you think?

Les

Inventor · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:24 am Post subject:

Oh, my friend just sent me an email saying that she already has a toy keyboard so no need to get into that. The other questions still stand.

Les

Antimon · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:15 am Post subject:

I guess she's on a Windows system?

If she just needs to record what she's playing and singing, and does not need any multitracking, it could be an idea to just start with the Sound Recorder app that's built into Windows (Programs -> Accessories -> Entertainment under the start button). It doesn't get any simpler than that - just press the red record button and go.

After that I'm afraid Audicity is the best choice.

/Stefan

Inventor · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:21 am Post subject:

ty Stefan, that helps.

Les

klangumsetzer · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:02 am Post subject:

hi les,

maybe it's too much but you can install and preconfigure reaper from cockos on a usb stick and send it to your friend. you can setup an easy to use template for her, too. perhaps add asio4all to boost the audio performance and have it installed via a script?

best regards

eike
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Inventor · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:15 am Post subject:

That's a good idea, eike. I'll save that one for future use. She just sent me an email saying that she found the windows thingie - cool. So she has just what she needs except the mic, which I will mail to her. Much appreciated!

Les