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.
Last week a bow was auctioned for the record breaking price of $288,960. The silver and ebony mounted violin bow, made by Francois Xavier Tourte, is believed to have once been owned by Polish virtuoso Bronislaw Huberman. It bears the initials “BH” engraved on the ferule. Beares Auctions reported that it was purchased by a professional violinist.
When musician J.Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) requested two Box of Rock pedals in one box with two stomp switches, Zvex knew he was on to something. They’ve taken his idea and made it even better. With the Vexter Double Rock you can adjust the sub frequencies (like distortion) and you can convert either channel into a Zvex Super Hard-On with a master volume. So it can be configured as two Zvex Distortrons cascaded, two Super Hard-Ons cascaded, or a Box of Rock with a boost, or a Super Hard-On going into a Box of Rock.
www.zvex.com
The Roland JUNO-DS synthesizer is a powerful tool for both performance and recording. It features improved pianos, additional organ sounds, waveform expansion capability, Phrase Pads, new vocal effects, and more. Along with a 61-key model, the JUNO-DS is available in a weighted-action, 88-key version. Lightweight and mobile, the versatile instrument operates on AC or battery power. The JUNO-DS supports internal waveform expansion via USB for unlimited tonal range. More than 1,000 EXP sounds are available for free download. Eight Phrase Pads on the front panel allow players to supplement live performances with samples stored on USB memory. The mic input is ideal for solo performers and singer songwriters. With the onboard eight-track pattern sequencer, users can easily capture their ideas for songs and beats, plus the integrated USB audio/MIDI interface provides easy mobile or studio use.
www.rolandus.com
The Electro-Harmonix KEY9 Piano Machine emulates classic Wurlitzer and Rhodes sounds, as well as organ, vibraphone, marimba, steel drums, a Dytronics-style rackmount chorus, and more, via a nine-position switch. The Keys knob adjusts the volume of the preset while Dry controls the volume of the untreated instrument level at the Keys Output jack. You can mix the sound of your original instrument with the electric piano to create lush layers or mute it entirely. CTRL1 and CTRL2 provide adjustment of key parameters that help define each instrument’s signature sound. Its many presets include adjustable modulation such as tremolo, phaser, and chorus. KEY9 comes standard with 9.6-volt/DC200mA AC adaptor
www.ehx.com
Casio’s Celviano Grand Hybrid GP-500BP and GP-300 digital pianos combine the latest electronic music technology with the traditional sound and feel of acoustic grand pianos. AiR Grand Sound Source recreates all the multi-faceted sounds of an acoustic piano, including sympathetic string resonance, damper resonance, key-off response, and mechanical sound. Plus the Grand Hybrids recreate three legendary grand pianos: the Berlin Grand, the Hamburg Grand, and the Vienna Grand. Several preset configurations of these pianos are included, along with other essential instruments. A multi-channel amplification system creates the immersive sound field of a nine-foot concert grand, while headphone mode produces an ideal stereo image while practicing quietly.
www.casiomusicgear.com
Godlyke’s Pivot-All plugs and cables are set to revolutionize your ability to connect, even in the tightest places. This line of plugs and cables feature a quarter-inch shaft that can rotate over a 180-degree arc for effortless connectivity on crowded pedalboards, complicated rack systems, and awkward instrument and amplifier jacks. Pivot-All plugs reduce the chance of a short-circuit by moving the cable’s stress-point away from the solder connection. Pivot-All plugs feature gold-plated audio connections for transparent transmission of audio signals. They are sold individually or prewired with high-quality Mogami cabling and silver solder.
www.godlyke.com
“I don’t usually do endorsements unless your product is just flat-out better than anything,” says Bush. But, here’s what he currently likes to use:
“I love Gibson guitars; I love Breedlove instruments as well. I use a log of their mandolins and some of their guitars. I own an ATI console in my studio.”
“I’ve recently been singing through this brand new microphone. They are a very small company out of Nashville, but for the last four weeks I’ve sung through these Miktek live microphones. I am so impressed. It feels to me like I’m singing into a Neumann, but I can hit it as hard as I hit a [Shure SM]58. I’m a loud singer and it has really changed the way that I hear myself onstage. I’m impressed.”
Needless to say, no matter what instrument you play, your hands are one of your most important assets. Gig Gloves provide comfortable, tough hand protection for loading in, setting up, tearing down, and loading out. Made with a thick, durable polyester black mesh, a flexible TPR protective mold on the back, and a padded PVC palm and finger grip, they offer secure fit optimized for extended use. The first three fingers include removable fingertips, eliminating the need to remove the gloves to make quick adjustments on a mixing board or to use a touchscreen device. The black and yellow gloves come in four sizes.
Sheptone’s 6T8 pickups for hollow or semi-hollow body guitar are designed to be transparent and allow the primary wood tones to come through. 6T8 uses a long rough cast Alnico 5 magnet, as opposed to a short machined magnet to help give it gritty growl and clear, balanced tone. Wound with #42 poly wire on butyrate bobbins, the neck pickup averages 7.4k DC resistance and bridge pickup averages 7.8k DC resistance.
The Korg Little Bits Synth Kit isn’t just for Analog Synthesizer aficionados. It’s a comprehensive toolbox filled with 12 interchangeable modules to make all kinds of projects. It can also be used to sculpt unique sounds for your recordings or as a teaching aid in the classroom to help students understand the basics of sound. The accompanying booklet walks you through all the projects and is a wellspring of information with explanations of what sound is and the history of synthesizing. Magnetically attached modules can easily be reconfigured over and over again to create different instruments. The kit easily interfaces with sound systems or headphones.
