We have looked at the Sing Ring by OOVO and the Belt Box in the last two tool times. So far, I’ve aimed to show items that could be easy to bring on the road and that could work in tandem together. This tool time looks at the Vocal Trainer by Better Voice which is used to “expand range, eliminate cracks, increase control, reduce strain and enhance technique” (from the Better Voice website). Since it has the same uses as the Sing Ring, there will be some comparisons between the two products. Disclaimer: this is NOT an advertisement, and I haven’t been paid to review this product. I just love looking for things that can help my students and myself sing better.
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What is the Vocal Trainer by Better Voice?
From the Better Voice website, the “Vocal Trainer is made out of FormLabs BioMed Black Resin…[which] is a medical-grade material designed for a wide range of end-use applications where performance, aesthetics and biocompatibility are critical.” It is 3D printed, but with high level materials that make sturdy yet light weight. The device is just three inches in length, and the rectangular opening that you buzz/sing through is a quarter inch in height and a half inch in width. It is very portable, and the package includes a carrying case and a rope to hold the device around your neck. This tool is used for semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises, and the interesting feature of the Vocal Trainer is the slider on the top side that can adjust the resistance by enlarging or minimizing the small opening where the air is released. Since it is a slider, there are many options for resistance; and it has four small marks on the side that can help determine where you are on the resistance scale. The resistances run from very low (think wide drinking straw) to very high (think a coffee stirrer but only half open at the end). While the Vocal Trainer is small and will fit in one hand, resistances have to be changed with two hands, so there isn’t variability within sustained sets. It has a simple maintenance process to keep the resin sanitary, and because of its design, the spit from buzzing doesn’t leak out like a straw. Here is a video explaining the usefulness of the Vocal Trainer.
The Vocal Trainer Versus Other Options
Since the Vocal Trainer is like the Sing Ring, I wanted to compare some features and explain I like them over a regular straw or coffee stirrer. When it comes to the primary purpose of facilitating SOVT exercises and adjusting resistances, all three work but in slightly different ways. The slider of the Vocal Trainer gives it great resistance versatility. The Sing Ring has three divots which give about four distinct options for resistance, but you can change the resistance using one hand as opposed to the Vocal Trainer and the regular straw. Depending on the material of the regular straw, it may or may not be adjustable, though it can be used with water for extra tangible adjustments that you can see. Though with water, it does add extra elements that make it less portable
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Conclusion
For me, the regular straw presents many issues with portability, additive trash, and lack of sanitation. Between the Vocal Trainer and the Sing Ring, I think it would depend on purpose. If I wanted the most resistance possible, the Vocal Trainer gives that at its highest resistance level. An element I don’t like about the Vocal Trainer is that at the max resistance, I can’t feel the air leaving out of the opening which is something I like about the straws and Sing Ring. I like to feel that the air is maintaining exit speed tangibly with my other hand. The ease of changing the resistance with one hand using the Sing Ring is a bonus for it. I often adjust how I use the tool for different genres and being able to switch on the fly with one hand is great. I also prefer the metal composition of the Sing Ring. It feels less breakable and the carrying case is firm which makes me less scared to throw it into my bag. The Vocal Trainer has a clip and necklace which makes it even easier for everyday use which is a plus (though I don’t know how often I would personally wear it).
Overall, the Vocal Trainer has its uses and would be a great tool for any voice user especially for warming up, cooling down, and maintaining good vocal hygiene. In a world with many options, the portability, lack of flying spit, and adjustable resistances make this tool stand out. Next tool time we’ll look at a tool specifically for increasing breath capacity.
