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LinnDrum: Immaculate Working Condition! New Battery! Factory Preset Patterns Restored!

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Listing Includes:

Linndrum (Linn LM-2)

Digital Manual

Power cable

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LinnDrum

Manufacturer Linn Electronics

Dates1982–1985

PriceUS $2,995

Technical specifications

Polyphonypolyphonic 12 voices

Timbrality multitimbral 15 voices

Synthesis type8-bit digital samples, 28–35 kHz

Memory56 user patterns, 42 preset drum patterns, 49 songs

EffectsIndividual level and pan for all sounds, tuning for snare, tom and conga only

Input/output

Keyboard15 hard plastic "pads"

External controlpre MIDI, third-party MIDIRetrofit Kit, trigger inputs x5The LinnDrum (also called the Linn LM-2) is a drum machine manufactured by Linn Electronics as the successor to the Linn LM-1. It was introduced in 1982 at a list price of $2,995. Approximately 5,000 units were sold between 1982 and 1985.[1][2] The Linn 9000 was the successor of the LinnDrum.

Its high-quality samples, flexibility and affordability made the LinnDrum popular; it sold far more units than its predecessor (the LM-1) and its successor (the Linn 9000) combined.[2] Roger Linn re-used the moniker on theLinnDrum Midistudio and the Roger Linn Designs' LinnDrum II. The LinnDrum was used on many recordings throughout the 1980s, including international hits such as a-Ha's "Take on Me" and Tears for Fears' "Shout." Much of recording artist Prince's early 1980's material also featured heavy use of the LinnDrum. His 1999, Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, and Parade albums are examples of this.

When Linn Electronics closed in 1986, Forat Electronics purchased their remaining assets[3] and offered service, sounds and modifications for the LinnDrum.[4] The LinnDrum was pre MIDI, but Retrofit Kits were offered by JL Cooper[5] and Forat Electronics.[4]

FeaturesThe LinnDrum has fifteen 8 bit 28 kHz ~ 35 kHz digitally sampled drum sounds: bass, snare, rimshot, hihat, crash, ride, three toms, cabasa, tambourine, high and low congas, cowbell, and clap. Like the LM-1, it provided asequencer for programming rhythm patterns, a built-in mixer and individual output jacks for each sound.

The LinnDrum improved on the LM-1 in many ways including: the addition of crash and ride cymbal samples, five external trigger inputs and the ability to replace built-in sounds with new sounds on EPROM chips. The LinnDrum sampled sounds from 28 to a 35 kHz sample rate. Also, the LinnDrum was $2,000 less than the LM-1.

One drawback: on the LinnDrum only the snare, tom and conga samples can be tuned, whereas the LM-1 allows every sound to be individually tuned.

LM-2The LinnDrum is often erroneously called the LM-2, alluding to its predecessor, the Linn LM-1. LM-1 stood for Linn/Moffett/1. Alex Moffett,[6] an early investor in the Linn drum computer development, wasn't with the company by the time the LinnDrum came around.

Drum SamplesAccording to some, the LinnDrum sounds were sampled from real drums played specifically for the machine by noted Los Angeles drummer Art Wood, good friend of Roger Linn, who also played with Linn as well as Peter Frampton, Gary Wright, Cher, Tina Turner, Bette Midler and James Brown, to name a few.[7][8] However, "The LM-1 was the first drum machine to use samples of a real drum kit, Roger Linn confirms that it was indeed Art Wood session drummer that played the majority of the sounds that he used.[9] To further add to the mystery, an entry in the online museum of the Roger Linn Design company credits L.A. session drummer Art Wood with most of the samples."[1] While the Roger Linn Designs Past Products Museum page credits Art Wood for "most" of the LM-1 sounds, there is no credit for the drummer who played the sounds for the LinnDrum.

InfluenceAlthough there have not been any official virtual instrument versions of the LinnDrum, several manufacturers have either emulated its interface and/or included samples of it. Such notable examples are as follows:

Steinberg's LM-4 drum machine plug-in;
Arturia's Spark, which includes samples of both the LM-1 and LinnDrum; as well as its successor, the Linn 9000.
and the "Lend Drum" patch from Native Instruments' Battery drum machine, which was sampled from an actual LinnDrum.

DiscographyArtist Album Songs Year

a-haHunting High and Low"Take on Me"1985 *Alternative LinnDrum samples

ABBAThe Singles"The Day Before You Came"1982 *Kick drum only

Al Corley"Square Rooms"1984

AlphavilleForever Young"The Jet Set"1984

Bad Boys Blue"You're A Woman", "Pretty Young Girl"1985

BaltimoraLiving in the Background"Woody Boogie", "Living in the Background"1985

Bananarama"Cruel Summer"1983

BerlinLove Life"No More Words"1984

BerlinTop Gun"Take My Breath Away"1986

Billy Idol"Eyes Without a Face"1983

Billy Ocean"When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going"1986