Headphones
AudioTechnica ATHM40x: These are great quality for the price. Over ear headphones that have a very clear sound for mixing. $99
Sony MDR7506: These are a long time standard in the sound world. They have a forward midrange great for editing. They rest on the ears which some find great and others very uncomfortable. If you are unsure get the AudioTechnica headphones. $83
Drives
Samsung T7: These drives allow students to transport their work between computers and to more easily collaborate with others. This specific model is great for large projects and is specifically designed for the continued high bandwidth disk access required for media work. 2TB or large size is recommended. $169
Oyen Digital Novus: This is a slow and heavy platter drive. This isn’t a great work drive but is exceptional as keeping past projects. An ideal archive drive, especially useful for those who accumulate audio and video recordings. $299
Tools
Precision Screwdriver: This is a wonderful screwdriver and covers almost every situation a sound person finds themselves in. $28
Labeler: Organization is so important. This labeler covers flat tables on just about anything as well as printing professional cable cables. $111
LED Headlamp: The headlamps with a wide angle LED light source are great for working in the dark either a haunted house, a dark stage or when work in the depths of an equipment rack. $14 to $37.
Hearing Safety
Custom Earmolds: This can be very expensive but bears benefit the younger an individual commits to good earplug use. Just a case of the foam earplugs in a stocking is great. In addition to that some higher fidelity plugs good for lower noise environments are great when it is important to have some protection but still be able to hear and communicate. The gold standard is to go to an audiologist and get a custom ear mould which you can use to order ear plugs specifically for your ears that then have different filters for different situations. The same ear mold can be sued to buy high-fidelity in ear monitors: JHA Audio, Shure, Ultimate Ears for even more money. $15 to $1000.
Speakers
Students in the sound program built a small pair of speakers. These can be upgrade with a 2.1 channel amplifier (option 1, option 2) and subwoofer combo to provide a wider frequency range. This can also be a great project over break. Total: $250.
Software
Mac: Logic Audio, iZotope RX,