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.
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.
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.
The new Komplete Audio 6 audio interface offers an improved layout that places essential controls, connections, and visual feedback—including new LED VU-meters—where they’re needed for intuitive use. Audio 6 comes with high-definition recording, ultra-low latency, and new preamps with improved gain range and higher dynamic range for lower noise floors when recording. It also comes with two high-power headphone outputs, latency-free direct monitoring, and headphone output power that has been doubled from the previous generation.
Yamaha’s FG Red Label series of acoustic guitars blend the vintage, handcrafted design of early Yamaha instruments with innovative wood conditioning and true-to-life sound reproduction. Inspired by the original FG Red Label acoustic guitars of the 1960s, the new folk guitars retain the retro aesthetic and classic tone, while adding a new pickup system and the company’s proprietary wood-aging process.
TASCAM’s new monitoring headphones offer enhanced bass response for the smooth, deep lows needed for producing electronic dance music (EDM), hip hop, metal, and R&B. The TH-06 employs a custom 45 mm neodymium-magnet driver and features Bass XL, a special voicing for dynamic range, clarity, and minimal distortion. Lightweight, cushioned ear cups can rotate 180 degrees. The flexible manganese headband is ideal for extended listening isolation without ear fatigue.
Overloud has released OTD-2, the re-creation of a unique analog processor which delivers modulating tap delays along with sound-widening effects. Six analog bucket-brigade delays can be individually switched and panned to create custom delay patterns. Other features include dual-mono, stereo, and reverb modes; multilevel undo-redo; A/B Comparison; and multiple presets designed in real mixing sessions.
Erica Synths Black Stereo Delay is a hi-fi stereo delay with adjustable delay time. It also offers tape, digital, and ping-pong modes; tap and clock synchronization of delay time; hold mode with overdub; and feedback control in combination with CV and trigger control.
