This one’s for the teachers among us! There’s no denying that the pandemic has forever altered the landscape of voice lessons, with students having more choices than ever before to study with voice teachers around the world! Even here in NYC, with demanding work and audition schedules, many of my clients continue to enjoy having the option of coming to their lessons in person or meeting online. With the right equipment, the experience can seamless and effective. In this post, we’ll take a look at the equipment I actually use to run a successful online and in-person voice studio. Whether you’re a teacher or coach setting up your studio for the first time, or you’re looking to upgrade your current set up, I’ve combed through a million reviews so you don’t have to. ;) Of course, there are comparable products at varying price points, so feel free to shop around to find the equipment that best suits your space and budget. Here we go!
1. Yamaha P-125 Digital Piano
In most NYC apartments, having an acoustic piano just isn’t an option due to awkward staircases and noise ordinances. This digital 88-key piano has weighted keys, string resonance, and damper resonance that recreate the sound and sensations of an acoustic piano beautifully. This piano sounds lovely through its speakers as well as routed through an audio interface for online lessons. Pair it with a Yamaha or Generic Keyboard Stand and you’ll be ready to go.
2. Lauten 220 Microphone
The Series Black LA-220 large diaphragm FET studio condenser microphone by Lauten Audio is a professional and versatile microphone for studio vocal recording and captures sound perfectly for online lessons. If you’re looking for incredible clarity of sound to be transmitted to your students, this is a great option. Bonus points if you also use it for your own recording!
3. Pop Filter
With a great mic that picks up everything, remember… it picks up everything! You’ll want to invest in a pop filter to reduce the sound of air blasts from noisy plosives and hissy s’s and to protect your mic from moisture (ehem…singer spit.)
4. Mic Stand
I own both a Flexible Boom Arm as well as a Table Top Mic Stand that I’ve switched between for different desk setups. Both work well with the Lauten 220 and the goose neck on the pop filter makes it compatible with either stand.
5. MOTU M2 Audio Interface
I paired my Lauten 220 with a MOTU M2 because of its ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency which is Best-In-Class speed. With two separate inputs, I can run both my microphone and keyboard through the interface directly into Zoom, and saves my neighbors from listening to scales all day!
6. Beyerdynamic Open Back Headphones
With a solid mic and interface your clients will hear you clearly, but the next crucial piece of a successful online lesson experience is hearing nuanced details in your student’s sound as well. I’ve found that the Beyerdynamic Open Back Headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods and help me hear the singer without background noise in or around my NYC apartment muddying the sound.
7. Cables
To connect this equipment you’ll need the right cables. I like this Basic XLR Cable and XLR to ¼ Inch Cable to run my mic and keyboard into the MOTU Interface.
To deliver an exceptional online product, you’ll of course need a strong internet connection and can further reduce latency by connecting directly to your router using an Ethernet Cable. If your router is down the hall like mine you may prefer an Extra-Long Ethernet Cable and an Ethernet to USB Adapter.
8. Music Stand
I love being able to work with clients all over the country, especially when they are away on contracts out of town at Regional Theaters or on National Tours, but many of my students have resumed in-person studio lessons in NYC as well. This sturdy music stand can handle even the heaviest of audition binders!
9. Acoustic Panels
To help reduce some of the sound of my in-person students and even my own practice, I’ve put acoustic sound panels up on the walls. These also come in handy for striking the right audio balance for self-tapes (more on that in another post) in my studio.
10. Air Purifier
Even though we are learning to live with COVID, let’s face it…she’s still here, in addition to other cold and flu bugs that are always circulating. To keep my students and myself healthy, I run this HEPA Purifier during lessons which continuously changes the air in the studio. It still seems like a good idea to Sanitize Surfaces between students as well.
Honorable Mentions:
Portable Keyboard
One of my favorite tools for my online studio is this portable keyboard! This 49-key foldable keyboard is lightweight, easy to travel with, and has been the perfect companion when I’m in a show out of town, but still seeing clients. Singers, if you’ve had a lesson with me while I’ve been on a gig, it’s been with this little guy! Sounds great and couldn’t be more convenient.
Mug Warmer
My desk is by a window which gets chilly in the colder months. For long days of teaching, I love keeping a cup of hot tea available, without running to reheat it every thirty mintues. It can also double as a candle wax melter if you don’t want to have an open flame near your equipment. Elevates your coziness either way. It’s the little things right?
And of course, other decor like lamps, rugs, and pictures will personalize your studio aesthetic as well, so that the space is welcoming and conducive to creativity. Thinking about all the equipment you need to set up a hybrid studio that offers both in-person and online lessons can be overwhelming. Hopefully these equipment essentials take a bit of the guesswork out and will empower you to create your own cozy, functional studio that offers high-quality online instruction.
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