Keyboard/Sampler Recommendations

CoffeeAndTV

My 11 year old has no inclination to learn the guitar, but loves the gorillaz and more importantly “David” Albarn.  

I’ve noticed he’s been playing with a keyboard app on his phone and I’d like to try and interest him with a keyboard/sampler that is relatively simple enough to use straight away but that will also continue to pique his interest in the months/years to follow.  Is there anything that he could use to learn and record some lo-fi esque tunes almost immediately that can also be used as a midi trigger?  

Also something that I could buy off him if he doesn’t enjoy the process to record some strings, pads, and drums.  I’ve noticed there is an akai mini, but would that work?  It would also need to be portable.  Is there anything that might fit the bill that you can think of?  Thanks. 

monquixote

Novation Circuit Rhythm
Roland P6
Roland SP 404
Model Samples
Teenage Engineering KO

all good check out Bad Gear for some reviews.

Circuit Rhythm is probably the easiest to get going with.

CoffeeAndTV

Thank you, I’ll investigate.  

monquixote

If you have any questions let me know I’ve had quite a few things

oh also the original Polyend play can be had very cheaply secondhand 

Sporky

Or, software wise, FL Studio. Probably the fastest way to put something together. 

goldtop

Does he want to play physical keys? If not, maybe get an iPad with Koala Sampler (see YT for what it does). It's far more sophisticated and flexible than almost any hardware sampler. And the iPad size screen makes it a lot easier than using a phone. Or maybe there's a Black Friday deal on Korg Gadget.

ETA for standalone sampling and beat-making fun with a keyboard, an Akai MPC Key 37 would be awesome.

CoffeeAndTV

Thank you @Sporky and @goldtop for these suggestions.  More to consider. 

monquixote

goldtop said:

Does he want to play physical keys? If not, maybe get an iPad with Koala Sampler (see YT for what it does). It's far more sophisticated and flexible than almost any hardware sampler. And the iPad size screen makes it a lot easier than using a phone. Or maybe there's a Black Friday deal on Korg Gadget.

ETA for standalone sampling and beat-making fun with a keyboard, an Akai MPC Key 37 would be awesome.

I was assuming hardware was what was wanted.

Agreed, that music making on an iPad is super fun and often apps that cost £200 on Mac are £20 on iPad 
Korg Gadget is a great shout and if you want buttons then you can get a little Midi controller to go with it. 
Korgs ones sync perfectly with Gadget.

CoffeeAndTV

monquixote said:

I was assuming hardware was what was wanted.

Agreed, that music making on an iPad is super fun and often apps that cost £200 on Mac are £20 on iPad 
Korg Gadget is a great shout and if you want buttons then you can get a little Midi controller to go with it. 
Korgs ones sync perfectly with Gadget.

I’ll be honest, I’m looking at all options at the moment.  I’ve never been great with tech*, so I’m researching.  I’m going to see what the boy thinks.  

* I’m still only using the two sounds from the Helix LT I bought from you way back.  

monquixote

Maybe if you have some idea of budget and if you already own an iPad.

menamestom

Ipads are ideal for checking things out and the app quality is on par with far more expensive VST's as mentioned above.
I always find them a bit clunky for more serious use.  USB C helped, but I still find too many leads and dongles are needed but that's probably just my lack of persistence.  Airpods don't work because of the bluetooth delay, you can use headphones with the right adapter but can't charge or add a midi keyboard.  I have a dongle but it doesn't work for audio.  I can use my Audio interface but it's miles bigger than an ipad and defeats the point.

The biggest problem is me with the ipad, but it does mean I'd like an all-in-one option as a DAW alternative. Like one of these.....

goldtop said:

ETA for standalone sampling and beat-making fun with a keyboard, an Akai MPC Key 37 would be awesome.

I have one of these lined up as my next purchase.  Ticks a lot of boxes for a dawless, more immediate option.  MPC 3 looks great and I already own a few Air plugins I can use (stage piano, Organ, Stage EP, Mini D).    

jackio

I'd get him a keyboard with its own sounds. I've played keys all my life and find anything that requires 'setting up' is far less likely to get used complared to something that needs a button pressed and its on and working. He, of course, is a different person than me 

There are so many inexpensive keyboards that would be great fun for anyone, and so many on the used market. All (almost) will send midi if he wants to use it as a controller.

Stratavarious

GarageBand on iPad has a sampler in the keyboard, drummer, loads of digital instruments… 

Synth One and Korg synths all great.

lots of keyboard skills and teaching apps too.