Simple DAW for elderly user

I have set my elderly Dad up with a few pipe organ VSTs using Kontakt Player. He would now like to record his playing when using the VSTs - he loves playing a cathedral organ VST. 

Can anyone suggest an easy to use DAW that will allow him to use Kontakt Player and other plug-ins. Ideally something that I can set up and have a preset or template for him to use. He is a competent Windows user, but at the age of 86 complex DAWs like Pro Tools are probably a step too far. 

Alternatively is there a hardware solution that would be straightforward to learn and use?

Thanks for your suggestions. 

Might be worth trying Reaper. It’s far from a simple DAW but it won’t cost anything to install and to give it a go. Kontakt Player will of course record as MIDI, as in any DAW. 

@steamabacus Thank you for such a helpful reply. I'll have a look at Audacity. I have an idea that Audacity cannot use instrument VSTs, so it should record the output of his keyboard if I set it up as you defined, but possibly not his Kontakt or Sine Player VST instruments.

Its a challenge to find something straightforward to use but smart enough to facilitate VSTs. 

Thanks Steamabacus, your reply is much appreciated. 

@AlbertC thank you for the suggestion of Reaper. I'll take a look and see if it is something that I can set up and configure for my Dad.

Looks like I have a DAW learning curve ahead of me 

Also, if you wanted to record an external keyboard check the 'software playthrough of input' box (so you can hear what you're recording as you record it) and have the input option set to the appropriate mic/line input into the computer.

@steamabacus that sounds very promising, thank you. Audacity seems to be one of the less complex DAWs. 

Thanks @steamabacus looks like I'll be starting on the Audacity learning curve tomorrow 

What interface/input device is he using?

Fl Studio is worth a look. Very quick to get started with, and easy to set up VSTs in templates. 

@victorludorum he is using MIDI from the keyboard to the laptop via USB. Works well when he uses Kontakt Player just to play virtual instruments

@sporky Thanks for the FL Studio recommendation, I'll have a look to see if I can get a straightforward  set up for him.

Another vote for Reaper.

Just set up a track template for the Kontakt instrument and it's just a case of start Reaper, new track from template and use record, playback etc. 

Just because it can get complex, it doesn't mean you have to use it that way. It sounds like your dad just wants a tape recorder emulation. 

Possibly an additional world of pain (for you) but the look of Reaper is highly customisable and there should be some simplified themes out there that have some of the more advanced icons and suchlike hidden. 

@Basher Thanks for your suggestion of Reaper. You're quite right, my Dad just needs a simple way to record his playing and share with his friends, so a straightforward theme will be a helpful.

@steamabacus Following your comments I have installed Audacity and configured it to record as you describe.  I didn't know that was possible.  There was a slight delay until I worked out that I had to set Kontakt up to use WASAPI rather than ASIO. I don't know if that change will have other implications, I'll soon find out I expect. 

Audacity has the added bonus of my Dad having used it to record audio from YT, so that makes Audacity the favourite at the moment.  If that fails it will be Reaper or FL Studio.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I hope to get this set up for my Dad over Christmas and I know he will be very pleased to have the facility to record his virtual instruments in a straightforward manner. 

Thanks Guys.

Chris.B said:

Audacity has the added bonus of my Dad having used it to record audio from YT, so that makes Audacity the favourite at the moment.

Thanks @steamabacus I'll make a note on my crib sheet (yes I did make one) about the volume level affecting the recorded level - obvious when you think about it, but easily missed. 

Does Audacity still only allow a dry live recording with any plugins added post?

Caffeine_Vampire said:

Does Audacity still only allow a dry live recording with any plugins added post?

After a quick look at the new 3.5 version yesterday (I'm still using version 2.3ish) it would seem that they've added a 'master channel' and (if I read it correctly) this allows 'live' use of fx. Whether this applies when recording, I don't know.

steamabatcus said:

Caffeine_Vampire said:

Does Audacity still only allow a dry live recording with any plugins added post?

After a quick look at the new 3.5 version yesterday (I'm still using version 2.3ish) it would seem that they've added a 'master channel' and (if I read it correctly) this allows 'live' use of fx. Whether this applies when recording, I don't know.

Thanks, I might take another peak although I'm a Reaper die-hard really.

@steamabacus Just a quick update to thank you for the info on Audacity. I talked my Dad through the configuration changes in Audacity and his VST players. He is delighted with the new-found ability to record his playing using the virtual instruments. 

Excellent news.

DAW for a elderly user? Try (The Grim)Reaper ;)