Gear & Tech Recommendations
This is my ever-growing list of products and resources I use and trust for my voice and music creation needs. I only recommend those that I actually use myself or those that have been recommended to me by sources I highly trust. Please note that I am an affiliate for many of the resources listed below. As an affiliate, I may earn a referral fee if you purchase these products based on my recommendations. I encourage you to do some research to shop around for the best prices. While many of these links go to Amazon, please also check out Sweetwater for music gear and equipment.
Voice Trainers
The Voice Straw and Cup Combo Kit
$62.00. There is much science behind why straw exercises are such an effective tool in every voice user’s toolbox. These are my favorite straws because of the choices in size of straw. The kit is the best choice because it comes with the silicone voice cups that help you transition from straw work to articulating lyrics. Get a 10% discount when you use the code ANNIELITTLE. Order yours here.
$34 +. Use the code "ANNIELITTLE" to get 10% off. The Vocal Trainer by Better Voice is a comprehensive training tool designed to help you improve your singing and speaking skills. Whether you're a professional vocalist or just looking to improve your everyday speaking voice, this powerful tool has something to offer. Using the science of SOVT (semi-occluded vocal tract) exercises, we've created an easy-to-use instrument that enables you to get a Better Voice.
Vocal Health
NeilMed Sinus Rinse - A Complete Sinus Nasal Rinse Kit With 60 Premixed Packets
$14.99 at Amazon. My ENT recommends doing a sinus rinse DAILY! Think of the dust and particulates that build up on your car within just a couple of days of washing it. Sinus rinses can help reduce allergy symptoms and sinus drainage.
Traditional Medicinals Tea Throat Coat Lemon
$6.79 at Amazon. This is my favorite tea for soothing my throat during cold winter months or when I’ve got a cold or flu virus.
$118.00. This helps a lot in dry environments. I take it with me when I travel, especially by air. Comes in really handy when I’m in Las Vegas or Utah, where the overall climate is dry. It’s really easy to use, and I definitely feel a difference. Although steam can feel good, a nebulizer makes the water particles small enough to actually reach the vocal cords, unlike regular steam.
Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
$59.99 at Amazon. Your environment can get overly dry in the winter or summer months when you might be using a lot of heat or air conditioning. I use this humidifier at night when my hygrometer tells me my environment is getting too dry. I really notice a difference in the morning when it hasn't become too dry. Just be sure not to let it get too humid. That can create condensation on your windows and encourage mold. We don't want that either!
$10.99 at Amazon. An overly dry environment can affect your voice a lot! If it's very dry, your voice will feel dry, too. 45%-55% humidity is comfortable. If you get below that, you might want to consider a humidifier in areas where you spend a lot of time, especially if you're using a lot of heat or air conditioning. I personally use this one and it works great. I keep it in my bedroom.
$19.98 at Amazon. I use this every night before bed to self-massage my neck and shoulders. It’s not greasy and it feels great.
Ukuleles
Ukulele is one of the most fun and easiest-to-learn instruments. If you want something that's easy to travel and accompany yourself with, this is your instrument. I recommend it to all my young singers especially if they don't already play an instrument. You'll never regret learning the ukulele, and everyone will want to sing along with you.
I recommend the concert size for most young singers. The tenor is a bit larger and would also work. The sopranos are really small, so I don’t usually recommend them, but they are also fine.
You want a case, a strap, and a tuner to start, which is why I’ve listed the bundles here. Let me know if you have questions!
Ukulele Concert Size Bundle From Lohanu (LU-C)
$64.97 at Amazon.
Kala KA-15C Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele Bundle
$99.99 at Amazon.
Cordoba 20TM-CE Mahogany Tenor Cutaway Ukulele
$219.00 at Amazon. I own this ukulele and love it. I wanted something I could also use at live shows, so I got the electric version. You don't need the electric component unless amplification is important to you. The other two listed above are at lower price points but are still trusted brands and are a great place to start.
Ravelli APLT6 72" Light Weight Aluminum Tripod with Bag, Includes Universal Smartphone Mount
$36.96 + $10.10 shipping at Amazon. We wanted the 72” tall one because my husband is 6’2”, so the shorter one would shoot up at him or we’d have to fuss with finding something to put it on, and that just makes it a pain. Get yours here!
$79.95 at Amazon. After working with this light for the last 6 months, I am happy with it overall. The remote control is a little finicky sometimes, but it works and the light looks great. I also find the camera mount has to be tightened up often when I’m using it, but I actually use a tripod, so it doesn’t really matter to me. You can buy this here.
$25.00 at Amazon. I had an iPhone 6 when I bought this, so that’s why it has a headphone jack. I bought the adapter below when I upgraded my phone, and it works great. You can order this here!
$11.99 at Amazon. I love the ability to charge my phone while I’m shooting just in case it’s running low. Nothing worse than running out of juice while you’re in the middle of shooting an audition.
$40.00 at Amazon. I don’t own this because when I purchased my mic I had an iPhone 6 with a headphone jack, so when I got a new phone with the lightning connector, I purchased the above headphone jack to lightning adapter. This is made by the same company, but I can’t make a recommendation from my own experience.
Home Recording Setup
While I do not consider myself an expert on recording or producing, I get professional sounding results with my own home studio. I’m confident about the recommendations I make here because of my own experience with these products or the recommendations of my own trusted sources. Visit Graham Cochrane’s Recording Revolution for even more recommendations and home recording tutorials, and sign up for his free guides. Also, check out my Voice Talk interview with him, Home Recording for Singers HERE.
Condenser Microphones
These need an interface to connect to your computer.
$229.00 at Amazon. My husband and I own this microphone and get great results from it. Rode is a great and reliable brand. I also own the Rode NTK, which I’ve had for almost 20 years and I use it daily.
Rode NT1KIT Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package
$269.00 at Amazon. This kit comes with the shock mount and a pop filter. Microphone Authority blog says that the NT1 has a flatter and rich sound while the NT1A (above) is more brighter, airy, vibrant.
Samson C01 Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
$79.00 at Amazon. This is a great mic under $100.. Would be a great mic to start with if you’re trying to keep the whole budget under $300 including an interface.
USB Microphones
If you don’t want to get a digital audio interface, and want the simplicity of just a plug-n-play mic right into your computer.
CAD Audio U37 USB Studio Condenser Recording Microphone
$48.74 at Amazon. I don’t own this USB mic, but it gets great reviews and is recommended by the folks at voicelessons.com for singers and teachers. You don’t have as much control as you would if you used an interface, but you can still get great results.
Shure MV51 Digital Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone + USB & Lightning Cable
$149.00 at Amazon. I don’t own this USB mic, but it gets great reviews and is recommended by the folks at voicelessons.com for singers and teachers. You don’t have as much control as you would if you used an interface, but you can still get great results.
Audio Interface
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
$119.99 at Amazon. I own the Scarlett 2i4, which is just like this, but has two inputs instead of one. The latest version of the one I have is the Scarlett 4i4. If you want to be able to record vocals and an instrument at the same time, you’ll need more than one input.
Monitors and Headphones
KRK Classic 5 Professional Bi-Amp 5" Powered Studio Monitor
$149.50 at Amazon. I own these monitors and have used them for years. They are great for mixing and monitoring.
Sennheiser Pro Audio HD280PRO Headphone (new model) I
$99.95 at Amazon. I’ve been using these (the same pair) for almost 20 years. They sell replacement ear and head band pads, which work great. They are very comfortable and have high quality sound. I use them for both recording and teaching.
Desks, Mounts, and Stands
Plixio Piano Keyboard Stand with Wheels
$69.99 at Amazon. This stand has been a game changer for me in terms of my teaching set up. It allows me to move my keyboard (88 keys and weighted) directly in front of my computer, so I don’t have to turn my head to play while teaching. Then, I can just move it back out of they way when I’m doing regular computer work. Can’t say enough about how happy I am with this purchase!
$23.99 at IKEA. I replaced my old desktop with this one, so that it was a little less deep. It works perfectly for both regular computer work as well as when I roll my keyboard in front of it.
$15.00 per leg at IKEA. The legs I have are not available at IKEA any longer; however, these are adjustable, just like mine, and that’s what you need. You can adjust them to the perfect height, so that if you get the standing desk converter (below), you can get it so it is the correct height for sitting or standing.
Ergonomic Ultra-Compact Standing Desk
$299.00 at Zeal Desk. This is the same brand as the one I have, but mine is discontinued. Mine has two levels though… one for your typing keyboard, and one for your monitor. I wanted to post this though, because it is the same company that makes mine. The one above is definitely more reasonably priced.
Rode PSA1 Desk-Mounted Broadcast Microphone Boom Arm
$99.00 at Sweetwater. By far, this is one of my most favorite pieces of equipment I’ve ever purchased. It’s super stable, doesn’t take up a lot of real estate, and can be moved easily. It mounts easily and works like a charm. For me, it’s great, because I can use it to teach in front of my computer, but I can also raise it up to record my voice while I’m standing or move it in front of my keyboard to sing. If you need a desk mounted mic, this one is amazing and worth the investment.