Roger Linn Design LinnDrum

The linndrum is the second model made by Linn. The LM-1 is a real collectors item, but this Linndrum has got more features. The sounds are interchangable and it has cymbal sounds, unlike the LM-1. A real pity is the fact that it is hard to sync to midi. There has been a midi-kit for it, but don't know if still available.

UTILIZATION

My Linndrum has got all the original factory sounds on board, unlike many other Linndrums I've come across, which had sounds put in by their last owner. Somehow people don't keep the original sound chips with the machine. Well, Linn products have a good name for being very user friendly and so is the Linndrum. Creating paterns, putting them together in Songmode, it's just so straight forward. Everything else on the machine is just very hands on. For every sound and volume slider and panning switch. Some sounds have tuning. Snare/Sidestick, all toms and congas. The hi hat has a decay knob. Unfortunalety I haven't got the original manual. Another thing people tend to keep when selling the machine.

SOUNDS

The sound is where it's at. It doesn't sound like techno lovers would like a vintage drum machine to sound like, as the sounds are digitally recorded (sampled). It sounds really, really fat and has that charactaristic 80's drumsound. The sounds are not velocity sensitive.

OVERALL OPINION

A rare, classic machine with very cool features and a lot of fun to use. I love all 80's made stuff and besides the Linndrum I have a Simmons SDS-7, TX-7, Prophet-600 and MSQ0700 sequencer. I bought it because of nostalgic reasons and because it's a beautiful looking thing. It sound awsome and have used it several times as the main drum source for recordings. They are hard to get a hold of but well worth it if you can find one.

A LEGEND! Marketed from 1982 to 5000 and $ 3000, at the time when the dollar was worth 10 francs. I have a version midifiée by JL Cooper. 12 sounds of a real drum sampled at 35 kHz on eproms are arranged, 98 patterns, 49 songs. A sequencer revolutionary at the time (quantization, swing ...). Output stereo or 16 mono outputs. Sounds all have a volume control and panning.
Well since mine is noon, I sequence from my mac ...

UTILIZATION

This is the standard drum machines! the handling is exemplary, who wants to use the internal sequencer ...
Editing sounds is a treat for the three editable (snare, toms, congas), because like the vintage synths, they are tunes with knobs! Also there is a knob to open the hi-hat ...
You can find most of the manual http://www.forat.com/drummachines/drum.htm

SOUNDS

Sounds kill! Some would say it's too 80's typed prod ... because in fact the vast majority of major recording studios have used and abused in the 80's.
An example of use: When the Doves Cry by Prince, with his trademark: the sidestick Tune to the bass. Shoulder Tattoo with Etienne Daho. Shock The Monkey by Peter Gabriel. Everything She Wants Wham!. The credits of Miami Vice 2. While the album Love On The Beat Gainsbourg. M Jackson thriller etc ...

OVERALL OPINION

I love this machine, plus she is beautiful, though rather large and heavy, but what a face! with wood on the sides which gives this vintage style!
At $ 250 it's a matter, especially that they are quite rare in Europe. I can not imagine part with it, it is with my Oberheim DX, the main core of my rhythm.

It's simple drum machine that is the best in the world for those who want to make compos ambiance 80's. funk, disco, new wave, rap old school, and even something more pop or rock variety internationnale why not ??????? the linn drum is indeed a legend in the period 1980 to 1987. today become a rare and highly sought after by collectors!

UTILIZATION

Super easy to use is the basis of the drum machine and the Program in the machine a little fiddling with the manual in hand is not difficult to use.

SOUNDS

Sounds OULALALALALALA THEN !!!!!!!! killing a large but watch a big killing only those who love kitsch sounds of the 80's if not for the other style, I do not think it will be suitable for you.

ultra-precise bass drum with a nice round matt sharp bat attack

snare serious farts! lots of good attack power and very very dull.

hi very kitsch (love!) metal with a fairly open unrealistic

toms very round and very dull, no resonance unless you stick an effect on it

crash and ride: aie aie aie aie good there is a little saucepan LOL! but hey it happens

congas and bells: yeah it works well! it is quite realistic if the program were good.

if you want to sum up the sound of Thriller Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, or all the French variety of the 80's. THIS IS THE MACHINE FOR YOU!

personally saw the decline 30 years after its release and the evolution of music today is better handled a little in the studio when you used on a component, a good compressor, a good reverb, and a good EQ adapted , will not harm the machine and will look better to your title, because it sounds like that brute very dry dry dry!

OVERALL OPINION

J'ultise this thing for 10 years I get tired of this machine it really sounds like at the time 80's

in the same range if you like the sound kitsch to stick to the old drum machines, drumulator, the Yamaha RX5, the DMX, the TR-808 or TR-626.

I find the price of the LINN DRUM way too expensive! This reflects more than one object collar as product quality. today plug in with little to do everything not need to invest such a price ... this machine is only for sound purists amateur collectors 80's