What simple mic (and amp) for teenager ?

sev112

my daughter has been writing songs

we went to a local studio for her birthday and recorded 4 of them and this has inspired her to write some more

she has an acoustic uke, and my electro acoustic.  

Whats the most easiest was of recording herself at home with just some simple 2 or 3 tracks say, without getting into major investments in recording gear and software and computers.

she has an old iphone, and an android tablet, and she has access to a mac. At the moment she just uses voice memos on her iphone 

im thinking better quality microphone and possible an app

any suggestions ?

ta

fftc

How about something like this?

https://www.studiospares.com/Studio-Gear/Recorders-Portable/Tascam-DR-40-Portable-Recorder_238160.htm

AlbertC

The Mac will possibly already have Garageband loaded on it (if not I think it's free to download) so you could use that for basic audio recording (although it does a lot more than just that). From Garageband you can  also share a recorded song straight to Soundcloud. 

As a starting off option to get a better quality recorded sound, perhaps a USB mic - 

Marantz Pro MPM1000U - (£49 on Amazon)  - requires some sort of mic stand
or
Blue Yeti - (£89 on Amazon)

I can't personally vouch for either of these mics but the reviews look okay. 

robinbowes

AlbertC said:

As a starting off option to get a better quality recorded sound, perhaps a USB mic - 

@sev112 I've got a Samson USB mic somewhere that I'm not using. I think it's a C01U. £25 posted?

spark240

Maybe one of those I-rig things?

ecc83

Given the mac and the existing or potential recording software I would strongly suggest NOT going for the apparently simplest solution. Get a modest Audio Interface and one moreover with 2 microphone inputs.  Something by Steinberg, tascam, Focusrite (wee bit more expensive) will give superb results and last for years. For a microphone you could get a Shure SM58 but there are quite few good dynamics around now at 1/3rd the price. Prodipe is a name to look for.

To use a car analogy (be THERE before you know it!) A 2CV is cute and gets you about but you would reallly want her in a Mini, a Fiesta or a Nissan.

Dave.

spark240

Agree with @ecc83 ...the bug is addictive...get more than you think you will ever need....then you might just last a year

Funkfingers

spark240 said:

get more [inputs] than you think you will ever need....then you might just last a year

My songwriting collaborator has a Focusrite Scarlett with two input channels. He can bash out an acoustic guitar + vocal demo. If I am present, we can lay down two guitars or guitar and bass together. If a third party were at the session, we're stuffed.

I, on the other hand, have a MOTU box with eight channels. It was expensive new but it has lasted me almost ten years. Only when I finally upgrade to a Mac without FireWire will the MOTU go gently into retirement.