Stuff a small recording device in your jacket or in your music folder for your next audition.  Those that do love it. 

It has made a huge difference in the quality of my auditions.  I even learn a lot by listening to my spoken introduction and chit-chat.

Disclaimer: You must clear this with an administrator before your audition as some companies have specific rules against this.

The quality of the recording may not be great, it will likely not be a recording you will ever send off with applications; but you will have documented how you sang and you can review it with your coach, teacher, or friends and family.  When you are on your ride home you can get that objective view of how you did.

The biggest benefit to recording your auditions is that it frees you up from listening while you perform.  Flip on record and turn off your ears.

Looking for a holiday gift, not sure what to ask Santa for? I got fine recordings from the iPod voice memo recording feature with this $70 Belkin TuneTalk Stereo Mic. The downside is that the Mic can hear the iPod disk running, so every one or two minutes you have the spinning noise kick up. I bet this Blue Blue Microphones “Mikey” does well too.

I then upgraded to the Edirol R-09HR Portable Recorder for about $300. It does not have a spinning disk (so it is quiet), makes flawless recordings at coachings / lessons, and then fits into my jacket for auditions. Other than the occasional sound of my coat moving around, it is crystal clear.

I visited CNet.com’s offices in San Francisco when I was in undergrad.  The founder also went to The University of Virginia and took a group of engineering students through the shop.  They put out excellent reviews of technical products.  Every purchase I make (camera, recorder, computer, flash drive, etc.) I first consult http://www.cnet.com.  For example, in this excellent product review they compare five digital voice recorders including the Edirol.  I am sure the Zoom, Sony, or Yamaha would do just fine.