Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
Designed with sonic pioneer Rupert Neve, the sE Electronics RN17 redefines the capabilities of a small diaphragm condenser. This is the world’s first pencil microphone with a large-scale, hand-wound, ultra-high-performance transformer. As an ideal solution for tours, the RN17 has a transient response and low-frequency reproduction that is full and accurate.
The Lady Liberty Violin was designed and built by luthier Lukas Wronski as a tribute to the USA. The violin is traditionally constructed, retaining proportion and the ergonomics of performance, yet it also incorporates the new and unique form of Art Deco fashion, an innovative combination of wood with 14-carat gold. The sound of this violin is dark and powerful.
The Sabian 20-inch Artisan Traditional Symphonic Elite Medium Cymbal Pair features an extensive multi-peen and high-density hammering. This adds rich, complex overtones that appear from the initial attack and continue until the cymbal stops sounding. Also comes in 18-inch size.
Orange Amplification’s Bass Butler pedal splits the bass guitar signal at input into completely separate, parallel, analogue signal chains. The ‘Clean’ Bass Channel can be adjusted for compression, bass, treble, and volume. An optical compressor circuit, cut/boost tone controls, and dedicated, bass cabinet-simulated balanced D.I. output is always on hand. Five smaller knobs control the volume, treble, middle, bass and gain (with four stages) of the Bass Butler’s ‘Dirty’ Guitar Channel.
BOSS’s new Waza-Air Wireless Personal Guitar Amplification System is a wearable, over-ear sound system for guitarists. Waza-Air’s advanced ambience setup allows users to listen as if they are in different environments: studio, stage, or natural spatial localization, where the combined amp and room sound continually changes depending on where the user moves their head. Waza-Air also features five amp tones, over 50 effect types, six onboard memories, built-in Bluetooth, and auto standby and wake functions to conserve battery life.
The new Black Swamp Percussion ArchThrow is a smooth, stylish and durable die-cast strainer. It is chrome plated, fits drums five inches deep or larger, and features an indexing knob for smooth, consistent tensioning in small increments. The ArchThrow is sold as a pair with a matching butt plate.
The new E50 Series Symphonic Castanets by Frank Epstein are designed to play soft and loud rolls as well as soft and loud articulated passages. No screws, no mechanics, just use your own technique. These castanets will always play exactly on top of one another and will not slide apart no matter where on the knee they are played.
The Shubb Capo Royale for steel string guitar fits most acoustics and electrics.
It is designed to reduce tuning problems: Its custom material presses the strings like a fingertip; its unique design closes onto the neck like a hand; its pressure is adjustable. The result is that no retuning is necessary. Available in two finishes: gold and rose gold.
Gruv Gear’s new Keyboard Kapsule is a lightweight travel-ready keyboard case made from a tough polycarbonate / ABS hard shell that is lined with varying density foams for protection and shock absorbency. The design includes Gruv Gear’s standard security TSA locks and the Global Recovery Tag tracking system recognized by nearly 3,000 airports worldwide. Other features include retracting handles, snap-on wheels, pouches for power cables and pedals, and multiple EVA foam blocks for a more customized fit. Available in sizes to fit keyboards from 49 to 88 keys.
Casio has added two new models to its Celviano Grand Hybrid digital piano line: the GP-310 and GP-510. Both feature full-length Austrian spruce piano keys plus a true grand piano hammer mechanism, using the same materials and processes as those in C. Bechstein grand pianos. They also offer an enhanced touch response algorithm in the keys, an upgraded six-speaker Grand Acoustic System, and a new equalization option. Other notable features include the built-in song library, an improved harpsichord tone, equalization options, and an improved Concert Play mode.
