You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm clueless in this space, but think my son would love something to be able to record multiple tracks to play along to.
He loves playing piano and will record tracks on a little toy keyboard thing we bought years ago and then play along with them on our upright. Or even play both at the same time like Rick Wakeman.
He's started tinkering with a ukeleke too.
Is there a my first mixing desk?
iPad/laptop with Garageband and a midi keyboard?
Or Ableton live (my preference)
Could probably get a refurbed MacBook air (older version maybe 2015/2017ish?) And keyboard for under £300?
Or a digital keyboard/synth that has memory for multiple recording layers (not very up on this but sure it exists)
My lad uses (under supervision) my laptop with midi keyboard, elextric drums & other stuff plugged in running BandLab.
Main thing wouyld be the user interface, very easy to get overwhelmed with loads going on around the screen.
Other option is oldschool tape 4 track but the cost and the faff probably isnt worth it.
This is probably the closest modern version of a 4track these days IMO - plenty around 2nd hand on ebay. Built in microphone saves you having to get a separate one and set that up too.
https://www.thomann.de/gb/zoom_r4_multitrak.htm
Should be fairly easy to use, and won't overwhelm anyone with options to pile loads of FX and EQ etc on. And if you do need to get into the weeds, the audio can easily be exported to a computer for further faffing later.
If you only want to use a few tracks, an old phone will do. iPhone with GarageBand would be the place to look first.
Along the lines of Doris5000's suggestion, I had one of these a few years s ago for rough and ready recirding of band practices...
I still think cheap laptop + midi controller + simple DAW software is the way to go.
Some midi controllers have soundcard + inputs built in too.