The Stuff
The following is a list compiled in June 2020 of suggestions for technology. Most computers and phones contain perfectly usable microphones and cameras, and WiFi often works fine, so if you don't have the resources to purchase additional materials, you should not be deterred from participating online in choral ensembles, voice lessons, and other vocal activities. There has been a rush on technology, so make sure that you shop around for the best deal. Amazon retailers will often inflate prices as availability drops, but due diligence will help you find a better price. I recommend checking with the manufacturer of a given product, as they will often have a store with the real price of the item.
Here is a YouTube video that has good advice for tech and settings for online music making.
Ethernet Connection to the Internet
If at all possible, an Ethernet connection your Internet router, rather than using your computer or phone's WiFi, will greatly improve the sound quality and consistency of your connection. I know a number of people that are running 50 foot or longer Ethernet cables through their houses to facilitate using this option. I was able to have a couple Ethernet ports installed in my house near my primary teaching spaces. However you can do it, this is probably the most useful thing you can do to improve your online music making experience.
USB Port Hub
With all the USB devices suggested below, you may need a decent quality USB port hub. My understanding is that you get what you pay for, and a $10-20 hub will not work for the tech that's listed here. I purchased something for about $50, and the results are mixed. Paying $120 will probably get you what you need.
USB Headphones: Highly recommended
Everyone should consider having a USB headset. Most are made for gaming and have features that a 12-year-old gaming kid would like, with flashy colors and such. Many USB mics have a mic jack port that allows you to hear exactly what the mic is hearing. I bought the Steel Series Arctis 5 Gaming Headset for $100, but there are earlier models that are selling for less and there will certainly be new upgrades soon, if not already available. You’ll particularly like its most important feature: “Prism RGB illuminated earcups let you personalize to perfection with 16.8 million color options.”
Microphones: Highly Recommended
An external USB mic will make all your work significantly higher in quality – voice lessons, choral rehearsals on Zoom and other platforms, recordings for repertoire checks and virtual choir audio and video, etc. You will want a USB mic that is intended for music rather than gaming. You may consider a stand and a pop filter as well. Some mics come with pop filters, but most don’t; most come with stands. Mic prices range from around $50-300. The $50 mics are still much better than what’s in your computer, but if you’re able to invest a bit more, you won’t regret it. It’s always a good idea to check various sites for prices. I would definitely price shop – there are some cagey retailers jacking up prices on Amazon, especially for Blue mics. A number of these mics sell out from various retailers, so it’s not a bad idea to decide what you want early and get your order in.
The Blue microphone line is well regarded and has several options, ranging from $50-250, and you can purchase directly from their website. I’ve included two charts below that compare their USB mics. Reviews generally come out on top for the Blue Yeti mics too. See this April 2020 article from that compares USB mics; Another article picks out the Blue Yeti as the best-on-market for music recording, although there are several others that are well-reviewed as well: Here.
There are lots of other good USB mics, and I’ll list a few here. It never hurts to do your own research if you have the time and inclination.
Best:
Blue Yeti Pro (includes both USB and XLR ports, so you can use it as a regular mic as well and plug it into an amp etc): Lists on Best Buy for $250
Recommended: Blue Yeti x: This is a new release that has some good features and compromise between the Yeti and Yeti Pro. I purchased this mic for $170.
Blue Yeti USB Mic: Lists on Best Buy for $130. Lots of colors!
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone. Lists on Sweetwater for $150.
Better:
Blue Yeti Nano Premium USB Mic: Lists on Amazon and Best Buy for $100
Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone: Lists on Amazon and Best Buy for $99
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone. This has come down in price and currently lists on Amazon for $90.
Good:
Blue Snowball USB Mic: Lists on Best Buy for $70 (definitely worth the $20 more than the ice version, below)
Blue Snowball ice USB Mic: Lists on Best Buy for $50.
Pop Filters
Pop filters are mounted in front of a mic to filter out plosives like “P”s and “B”s, and soften other loud consonants. They’re a really good idea for any recording. You can buy them for under $20, and it doesn’t look like there’s a big difference in quality. You can even make one out of pantyhose. I bought this Aokeo model.
Webcams
Here is a March 2020 article on webcams from NYT’s Wirecutter, the go-to place for tech suggestions.
Their #1 camera is the Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam, which should list at $70. I think this camera is being phased out and it seems to be unavailable anywhere unless you want to purchase it for about 2x that on craigslist or EBay. Logitech's site lists a newer version, the C925e, for $100.
I recommend the Logitech webcam C930e. You can purchase it directly from their website, or from a variety of online retailers and it should list at about $130. I purchased this one because of the quality and that it can be mounted on a tripod with an adaptor, which will allow for better virtual choir recordings as well as more flexibility for my online teaching.
Digital piano or keyboard with USB
Using the same USB mic for your voice and your piano or keyboard may work fine, and that’s what I’m going to start with because I already own a piano and would rather not clutter my music space with a second keyboard, let alone the expense, etc. But I considered the advantages of a digital keyboard, which include higher quality direct sound to the listener on the other end. There are lots of electronic and digital keyboards out there. I was unable to find anything that has a USB audio out. Those with USB ports are typically USB/MIDI, and that is not what you need. So you will need to get an additional audio interface with USB audio out as an intermediary device between the digital keyboard and your computer.
Here is the Wirecutter April 2020 article on digital keyboards.
Their best is Casio Privia PX-160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano, which lists on Amazon for $550.
Their runner up is Yamaha P-45, a 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano (P45B); which lists on Amazon for $500.
Their budget pick is the Alesis Recital Pro at $380, which has semi-weighted full-size keys. This one has 88 keys, but if you want to take up less space, there’s a 66-key version for $200 too.
Audio Interfaces and Mixing Consoles for Digital Instruments
These are necessary for connecting a digital instrument, such as a digital piano, to your computer. You probably only need a 2-channel interface, such as a Scarlett, which lists for $110 on Guitar Center.
You can also consider going a more complicated route, and first mixing your voice and instruments to a mixing console, from there to the Audio Interface, and from there to your computer.