Record a Song for DIY Soundcloud

What can we use if we don't have a metronome, instrument, or a microphone for the recording steps?

Use a free metronome app or tap a steady beat on a table, replace an instrument with a keyboard/guitar app or household items (pots or boxes) for your instrumental backing take, and use your phone's built-in microphone or an inexpensive headset mic while asking an adult to position it for the recording app.

My recordings sound messy or out of time — what should we check and fix?

Check that the adult set up the phone mic position and that you recorded a full instrumental backing take first, then record your vocal while listening to that backing or a metronome and use the editing app to trim starts/ends and adjust volume levels to fix timing and balance.

How can we adapt this song project for younger kids or for older kids who want more challenge?

For younger kids, simplify to a one-line chorus, practice with an adult and do one easy backing take on the phone, while older kids can write full verses, experiment with chord patterns, record separate instrument and vocal takes, and do more detailed trimming and mixing in the editing app before exporting.

What are simple ways to improve or personalize our final song before uploading to SoundCloud and DIY.org?

Add a harmony or extra instrument by recording additional backing takes, insert fun sound effects or fade-ins with the editing app, create custom cover art, then export the final song file, ask the adult to upload it to SoundCloud with a creative title, and share the link on DIY.org.