LinnDrum | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Linn Electronics |
Dates | 1982–1985 |
Price | US $2,995 |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | polyphonic 12 voices |
Timbrality | multitimbral 15 parts |
Synthesis type | 8-bit digital samples, 28–35 kHz |
Storage memory | 56 user patterns, 42 preset drum patterns, 49 songs |
Effects | Individual level and pan for all sounds, tuning for snare, tom and conga only |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 15 hard plastic "pads" |
External control | DIN sync (pre-MIDI), third-party MIDI Retrofit Kit, trigger inputs x5 |
The LinnDrum, also referred to as the LM-2, [1] is a drum machine manufactured by Linn Electronics between 1982 and 1985. About 5,000 units were sold. [2] [3] It was used on many recordings in the 1980s.
The LinnDrum was designed by the American engineer Roger Linn. [4] His first drum machine, the Linn LM-1, was released in 1980; it retailed for $5,500, [5] making it affordable only to wealthy musicians and studios. [6] The LinnDrum was cheaper and more widely produced than the LM-1. [4]
The LinnDrum was popular for its high-quality samples, flexibility and affordability. It sold far more units than its predecessor (the LM-1) and its successor (the Linn 9000) combined. [3] It was used by artists and producers including Trevor Horn, [7] Stock Aitken Waterman, [8] Haim, [9] Sandy Vee, [10] Justin Hayward, [11] and Michael Jackson. [12] When Linn Electronics closed in 1986, Forat Electronics purchased its assets [13] and offered service, sounds and modifications for the LinnDrum. [14]
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument that creates percussion sounds, drum beats, and patterns. Drum machines may imitate drum kits or other percussion instruments, or produce unique sounds, such as synthesized electronic tones. A drum machine often has pre-programmed beats and patterns for popular genres and styles, such as pop music, rock music, and dance music. Most modern drum machines made in the 2010s and 2020s also allow users to program their own rhythms and beats. Drum machines may create sounds using analog synthesis or play prerecorded samples.
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a drum machine manufactured by Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was one of the first drum machines to allow users to program rhythms instead of using preset patterns. Unlike its nearest competitor at the time, the more expensive Linn LM-1, the 808 generates sounds using analog synthesis rather than by playing samples.
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The Linn LM-1 Drum Computer is a drum machine manufactured by Linn Electronics and released in 1980. It was the first drum machine to use samples of acoustic drums, and one of the first programmable drum machines. Its designer, the American engineer Roger Linn, wanted a machine that would produce more realistic drum sounds and offer more than preset patterns.
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The models also had some teething issues, but those were addressed with two revisions of the LM-1, before a cheaper successor, the LinnDrum – not the LM-2, as it is commonly mis-titled – was introduced in 1982.