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The National Association Of Music Merchants (NAMM) has raised concerns that new tariffs in the US will raise instrument prices for musicians and hurt music manufactures and retailers.

While many may think of NAMM as the organization behind the annual NAMM Show, their broader focus is to represent the music industry and promote music-making.

The US has announced a variety of new tariffs, targeting imports from China, Canada, China and other countries. The administration argues that the tariffs are needed to drive international action on US concerns about immigration and Fentanyl trafficking.

This week, NAMM CEO John Mlynczak published a statement on the impact of new tariffs. He raises the concern that these new taxes will increase the prices of musical instruments, which are often imported or made with imported parts, and hurt both gear makers and retailers.

John Mlynczak, President and CEO, NAMM has raised the concern that new tariffs on imports in the US will raise the price of musical instruments and hurt music manufacturers and retailers.

While tariffs are often positioned as ‘punishing’ other countries, they are taxes that US citizens and corporations pay. Economists estimate that the new tariffs will raise taxes in the US by about $1.1 trillion, or about $800 per household in 2025.

The idea is that, if the US raises the cost of things imported from China, you’ll be less likely to buy these things, which will indirectly punish China. Tariffs can be a double-edged sword, though, because they also raise the costs for American manufacturers that rely on imported parts, and tariffs can contribute to inflation.

Here’s the full text of Mlynczak’s statement:

Music is a powerful unifying force across the world. Music brings us together, it heals, and it empowers. It is essential that music-making continues to unite us globally, without any punitive measures or restrictions to the trade and manufacturing of musical products.

The National Association of Music Merchants, representing the global music products industry, strongly urges elected leaders and world governments to support the free trade of musical products, as well as the materials used in manufacturing musical products. We call for universal exemptions from punitive tariffs for all musical products and accessories that are used by musicians worldwide.

Excess tariffs imposed on specific countries are a great concern for our music products industry for the following reasons:

Many of the most iconic, highly sought-after and highest-quality musical products are proudly made in the United States. These brands also offer successful lines of affordable, entry-level and intermediate products that ensure new and emerging music makers have access to quality products from leading American companies. The success of the top-of-the-line models made in the U.S. is dependent on the success of the full range of products made in factories around the world. This is true for many other industries, as well: The success of our strong American companies is dependent on global trade. We stand with Consumer Technology Association in recognizing that tariffs “weaken the global trading system that has powered America’s economic growth for decades.”

Statement: Consumer Technology Association

Musicians rely on a strong retailer network to support and educate them along their musical journey. Retail is the backbone of our music products industry, with more than 4,000 retail locations in the United States serving musicians and students. The musical product retail network is essential to music-making, and we stand with the National Retail Federation in avoiding shifting costs “onto the backs of American families, workers and small businesses.”

Statement: National Retail Federation

Like many other industries, musical product trade is also highly interconnected in North America, with decades of successful trade and partnerships between Mexico and Canada that have allowed us to compete globally. We stand with the National Association of Manufacturers that “protecting manufacturing gains that have come from our strong North American partnerships is vital.”

Statement: National Association of Manufacturers

We understand the need for strong trade agreements with favorable terms for the United States. But these global agreements should not impede the rights of musical and artistic expression. As our Vision Statement says: We envision a world in which the joy of making music is a precious element of daily living for everyone; a world in which every child has a deep desire to learn music and a recognized right to be taught; and in which every adult is a passionate champion and defender of that right.

We encourage all NAMM members to join us in urging our global leaders to support the free trade of music products to provide a more musical world.

John Mlynczak

President and CEO, NAMM

It’s hard to know where the US is going to land on these new taxes. Some of the announced tariffs are currently on hold. Meanwhile, other tariffs imposed on Chinese imports have been in place across the last two administrations, which has raised prices for many products for US citizens.

Should musical instruments be exempted from the new tariffs? Share your thoughts in the comments!

2025 NAMM Show: Jamstik has introduced the MFC1 MIDI Floor Controller, a hands-free control platform that is compatible with any standard MIDI software or device, including keyboards, MIDI guitars, and more.

The official intro video:

The MFC1 functions as both a standalone MIDI device and a MIDI host. By powering and passing through MIDI data for USB-based MIDI controllers, the MFC1 allows musicians to create streamlined setups without the need for a computer. You can daisy-chain your MIDI controllers directly into the MFC1 to reduce cable clutter and simplify your rig.

“The MFC1 is designed to empower musicians with freedom, versatility, and control in any setting,” said Jonathan Keller, Senior Engineer and creator of the MFC1. “With its customizable features, seamless Jamstik integration, and universal MIDI compatibility, the MFC1 meets the demands of both live and studio environments, giving musicians a powerful tool they can rely on.”

With the MFC1, musicians can map footswitch buttons, knobs, and a pedal input to perform a wide range of tasks, from DAW transport controls and preset scrolling to MIDI CC message mapping and beyond. The included Jamstik Creator software allows users to select factory profiles for popular DAWs, synths, and hardware, or craft custom profiles using premade actions and deep configuration options.

Features:

• Customizable Control Layout: Map footswitch buttons, knobs, and pedal inputs for DAW control, preset navigation, MIDI CC mapping, and more.
• Integrated Jamstik Creator Software: Choose from factory profiles or build custom setups for seamless compatibility with MIDI devices, tailored through the Jamstik Creator app.
• Unique MIDI Hosting Capability: Powers and passes through MIDI data for USB-based MIDI controllers without a computer, simplifying setups by allowing devices to be daisy-chained directly into the MFC1.
• Efficient DAW and Synth Integration: Control sound control and macros for Jamstik Creator, any third-party synth plugin like Arturia’s Analog Lab, Xfer Serum, Spectrasonics Omnisphere, as well as any hardware synth or effects pedal that accepts MIDI CC input.
• Enhanced Integration for Jamstik MIDI Guitars: Designed with Jamstik MIDI Guitar users in mind, the MFC1 includes special profiles and dedicated menus for toggling pitch bend, switching MIDI modes, and adjusting Jamstik-specific settings for a more seamless experience.

The hits keep on coming from Behringer as the latest in its series of budget clones of classic guitar effects pedals brings us the Envelope Filter.

Behringer’s long awaited B-Tron III Envelope filter has arrived for just $69. The Auto-Wah Envelope Filter features 3 Filter Types, 2 Direction Modes and Versatile Input Range.

The budget clones of classic guitar effects pedal, an homage to the Mu-Tron III had been teased some time ago. Designed by Mike Beigel, launched in 1972, Mu-Tron III is one of the world’s legendary effects. And it was not just for electric guitar, you can use it on electronic keyboards.

Behringer copped some heat for the no-show; critics had labelled them a vaporware company, accusing them announcing products but not bringing them to market. Behringer bit back in December last year, defending itself on social media and arguing that “no other company delivers as many innovative and affordable products as we do”.

Those products, it said, you could check out at NAMM 2025, where the brand returned after a 10 years absence. Anyway, as things turned out, all good things come to those who wait.

Behringer’s recreation assumes much of the same Mu-Tron III  functionality – and there’s more than a passing resemblance with that (metal) enclosure design. It features an all-analogue optical circuit.

But there have been some concessions to modernisation. This is a true bypass design. The power has been updated. The original required two 9V batteries; this only needs one. Though better still, just feed it 9V from a quality pedalboard power supply

As the three in the designation suggests, the B-Tron III has three different filter modes – Low Pass, Band Pass and High Pass, selectable via a three-way rotary dial. There are plenty of wahs, sorry, ways to add some auto-wah vocalisation to your playing.

Funk players are a core demographic. But this is the kind of effect that would reward any open-minded experimentalist. Just remember it’s a dynamic effect – it responds to how you are playing.

The Drive switch allows you to set it up to wah or to “wow”. The Rate switch can be set up to emphasise low vocal sounds or to tease out some more high-end overtones. Adjust the Peak dial for the intensity of the effect.

The Gain dial is a sensitivity control and is used to set it up for your instrument, be it bass, electric guitar, keyboards or a Clavinet.

Here’s the official Behringer B-Tron III intro video:

The B-TRON III Envelope Filter is officially here, and price is just £/$69. You can check out more pics and details at Behringer site.