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.
Sennheiser is bringing the sound of its MD 9235 capsule to a wired vocal microphone. The new cardioid MD 435 large-diaphragm microphone has a shock-mounted capsule to protect it from structure-borne noise, while a hum-compensating coil protects the microphone against electromagnetic interference. The lightweight aluminum-copper voice coil ensures fast transient response.
The Aston Stealth is a broadcast quality microphone for studio and stage. It offers four switchable voices, active and passive modes, a built-in Class A mic preamp with autodetect 48V Phantom power, and a unique Sorbothane internal shock mount system. Stealth was developed in partnership with 92 top engineers, producers, and artists who participated in a series of blind listening tests designed to create the best possible sound.
The Artist Elite AE2300 cardioid instrument microphone features Audio-Technica’s proprietary double-dome diaphragm construction, giving it high-frequency and transient response that far exceeds typical dynamic microphones. With a rugged, low-profile design and the ability to handle high SPLs, the AE2300 is a versatile performer, able to capture sound from guitar amps, brass and woodwinds, drums, and percussion instruments with equal clarity and precision.
Streamlined design and powerful CORE technology let DPA’s d:vote 4099 microphone brings clarity and details to music, across the entire dynamic range. From the piano to guitar; strings to woodwinds; brass to percussion, the d:vote series sounds equally impressive. This one microphone model and wide range of available clips can beautifully reinforce an entire orchestra.
After requests from churches and musical groups, the Audix MicroBoom carbon fiber microphone boom system is now available in white. The top-selling modular solution is extremely lightweight and low profile, easy to place, immune to RF interference from wireless devices, and requires no additional phantom power adapter. Available in 50-inch and 84-inch boom lengths, Microboom is compatible with any standard mike stand and with the Micros miniature condenser microphone series—M1250B, M1255B, and M1280 (available with cardioid, hypercardioid, omni, or supercardioid capsules).
The Neumann U 67 tube microphone, introduced in 1960, quickly became the quintessential studio workhorse, defining the sound of the ’60s. For the first time in decades, U 67 is back in production, built to its original specifications. With its three selectable polar patterns—omni-directional, cardioid, and figure eight—plus advanced tube circuitry, including low-cut and pad switches—it is equipped for almost any recording task, from vocals to instruments. It comes in a vintage case that also includes an elastic suspension, microphone cable, and NU 67 V power supply designed to meet today’s strict safety requirements. The new NU 67 V is fully compatible with older U 67 microphones.
The M-Audio Uber Mic professional USB microphone with headphone output provides performance, versatility, and mounting options for any recording scenario. Pristine A/D converters provide 16-bit resolution digital audio for recordings with exceptional dynamic range that capture every nuance and subtlety. Wide-range frequency response and sample rates up to 48kHz provide clear recordings that are true to the original source. Uber Mic features a large-diaphragm, three-capsule condenser microphone, with a choice of four polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-eight, and single point stereo.
The ZVEX TB-1 Tea Ball Microphone is actually built inside a stainless steel tea ball. It is designed for specialty use and will reject sounds from sources further than an inch away from its grill. On stage, in a loud environment, it can be plugged directly into a guitar amp that’s turned up to a level that would normally cause the mic to squeal. In a studio, when live recording a vocal track, it will reject the amplifiers and drums. The soft tea ball mesh protects your teeth and can be disassembled and washed in soapy water.
IK Multimedia’s Advanced Room Correction (ARC) System 2.5 with MEMS measurement microphone uses measurement software, together with an audio correction plug-in and Audyssey MultEQ XT32 technology, to improve the audio monitoring accuracy of speakers in any studio or room. By measuring the room in multiple positions it produces an accurate representation of acoustic response, then generates a correction filter. The ARC System 2.5 allows sound engineers and composers to create a true representation of their music regardless of the acoustic characteristics of a room.
The Galaxy TQ8 provides 150-watts of high performance audio in a lightweight, portable package. Its powerful eight-inch woofer and wide-dispersion HFhorn, with one-inch compression driver, offers professional clear audio performance. TQ8 has two wired mic/line inputs, an SD card slot, USB connection, left/right audio connections, and Bluetooth compatibility. Two optional wireless mic receivers work with Galaxy’s handheld or body pack wireless microphones.
