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Average Price: $75
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$150
$601+
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Description
Introducing the Linn Electronics LinnDrum, a drum machine that revolutionized drum sounds in the music industry. This iconic instrument, often known as the LM2, paved the way for advanced sampling techniques, setting it apart from synthesized alternatives like the Roland TR-808. Developed by the legendary Roger Linn, this is more than just a drum machine; it's a piece of music history, a precursor to the iconic Akai MPC series. With the ability to sequence up to 12 tracks simultaneously, the LinnDrum offers an immersive, creative experience that's still in high demand among vintage gear enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- Developed by Roger Linn, a pioneer in music technology
- Sequencer allows for up to 12 tracks to be played simultaneously
- 56 user and 42 preset patterns for diverse soundscapes
- Ability to arrange patterns into songs with 49 memory locations
- Highly sought after in the vintage market due to its iconic status and unique sound.
Videos
zibbybone
Linn Electronics LinnDrum Vintage Drum Machine Basic Demo
Linn Electronics LinnDrum Vintage Drum Machine Basic Demo
zibbybone
We Ran a LinnDrum Through Pedals and a Neve Console | Funky Vintage Found on Reverb
Reverb
How to program a LinnDrum for quick jams
SynthMania
Vintage Drum Machines - LinnDrum Samples
Simon Le Grec
LinnDrum. Demonstration Record. 1982.
Adrian Täckman
Reviews
PROS
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Authentic classic drum machine sounds
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Integrates well in mixes with subtle processing
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User-friendly sequencer feels natural, not overcomplicated
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Pitch function and quantizing are notably effective
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Programming beats is fun and always sounds good
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Favored for its distinctive factory-default sounds
CONS
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Can feel somewhat flat-sounding initially
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Reliability issues reported in some units
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Learning curve due to older interface design
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Linn Electronics LinnDrum.
Features and functionality
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Separate outputs are common, allowing for individual treatment of sounds, similar to real drum recordings, but stereo outputs are used in smaller studios.
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EPROMs can be swapped to create varied sounds, with different playback circuitry for outputs tailored to specific frequencies, enhancing sound customization.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Noise is a concern; gating or strip silencing is often necessary to manage noise from multi-tracks.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The LinnDrum often blends with real drums, typically adding sub-bass synth to the kick for depth.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings
182
My favorite drum machine.
I consider the Linndrum my very favorite drum machine. It is used on some of my favorite songs, it is my favorite to use/program and it has my favorite factory-default sounds. Much like the 808, programming a beat on it feels wonderful and is extremely fun (and also just like the 808, it always sounds good).
40994
they all are, yeah
Artist usage
Add artist
Daft Punk has a LinnDrum in this image of one of their performances from the 90s.
Calvin Harris is seen using the Linn Electronics LinnDrum in an Instagram post related to his track "Slide," featuring Frank Ocean and Migos.
Paul McCartney is mentioned in the Hog Hill Mill Blog as using the Linn Electronics LinnDrum drum machine.
At 1:06 Seen above a dbx 180 Mac has a LinnDrum
At 1:52, Chris Vrenna explains that he first met Trent to buy his Linndrum
Prince used the Linn LinnDrum on one song - Elephants and Flowers from Graffiti Bridge. According to Susan Rogers, he preferred his Linn LM-1 as it allowed more options for tuning and signal processing. He used a rented LinnDrum when his LM-1s were unavailable.
An LM-2 LinnDrum drum machine can be seen in photos of Kanye West's studio during the production of 808s & Heartbreak, his 4th studio album. The drum machine was positioned directly above his Oberheim OB-Xa.
In this Sting interview published in Musician magazine July 1985 issue, he mentions a LinnDrum:
"I do find if you use machines solely, you lose that human dimension. So if I'm playing a sequence or using a LinnDrum I'll always play some of the parts manually, in order to inject a bit of personality. Fingers can find things that machines never will."
In the Bring On The Night movie, Sting programs a beat on "We Work The Black Seam" using the LinnDrum. Typically, according to an interview published in International Musician & Recording World July 1985 issue, Sting used the LinnDrum for composing in tandem with the Synclavier, rather than using the latter's own drum sounds for the sake of ease.
Metro Boomin has been confirmed to use the Linn Electronics LinnDrum, as evidenced by a photo he shared on his own X account, showcasing the drum machine.
Boys Noize talks about his LinnDrum vintage drum machine:
"When you make a track with a LinnDrum, you can’t really add a big bassline or something. You need to find the right sounds to give the LinnDrum its space in the mix.
Prince had just his voice, a LinnDrum and one keyboard and it was enough. No bassline or anything, just nice programming. That’s what I like about it, it’s got such a strong sound."
LinnDrum is the same as Linn 2, because LinnDrum is also known as Linn LM-2.
Quote from Zoolook album (1984) booklets (cd and vinyl): "... Keyboard and electronic devices: Fairlight CMI, Emulator, Moog 55, ARP 2600, DX7, Prophet V, OBXA, AMS, Simmons SDS V, Matrisequencer, AKS, EMS Vocoder, Eminent, Doctor Click, Linn 1, Linn 2 ..."
More information at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoolook
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Album Usage
The Linn Electronics LinnDrum has been featured on the following albums:
Hurry Up Tomorrow
The Weeknd (2025)
Animal In Me (The Lost Album Vol 2)
Christopher Saint Booth (2024)
Ulterior Motives (The Lost Album)
Christopher Saint Booth (2024)
Doctor Who - Time and The Rani (Original Television Soundtrack)
Keff McCulloch (2023)
Give Me The Future + Dreams Of The Past
Bastille (2022)
Dawn FM
The Weeknd (2022)
Ghostbusters Remix (Yago Boss Remix)
Ray Parker Jr. (2021)
Aa∆zhyd China Doll
Edward Ka-Spel (2021)
After Hours
The Weeknd (2020)
Living on Video
Trans-X (2019)
Titanic Rising
Weyes Blood (2019)
Metamatic
John Foxx (2018)
Slide (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)
Calvin Harris (2017)
Don't Take The Money (Organized Noize Remix)
Bleachers (2017)
A Deeper Understanding
The War on Drugs (2017)
Zoolook
Jean Michel Jarre (2015)
Day of the Dead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
John Harrison (2014)
808s & Heartbreak
Kanye West (2008)
Discovery
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2001)
Alive 1997
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2001)
Homework
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (1997)
Music from Graffiti Bridge
Prince & Prince (1990)
Hats
The Blue Nile (1989)
Doctor Who: Ghost Light (Original Television Soundtrack)
Mark Ayres & Keff McCulloch (1989)
Faith
George Michael (1987)
Bring On The Night (Live)
Sting & Sting (1986)
No Jacket Required (2025 Mix)
Phil Collins (1985)
No Jacket Required (2016 Remaster)
Phil Collins (1985)
Hunting High and Low
A-ha (1985)
Points On The Curve
Wang Chung (1984)
Axel F (From "Beverly Hills Cop")
Harold Faltermeyer (1984)
War Baby - Hope & Glory
Tom Robinson (1984)
A Walk Across the Rooftops
The Blue Nile (1984)
Junk Culture
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1984)
The Art Of Falling Apart
Soft Cell (1983)
The Fugitive
Tony Banks (1983)
Lullabies
Cocteau Twins (1982)
Happy Families
Blancmange (1982)
Magic Windows
Herbie Hancock (1981)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Linn Electronics LinnDrum, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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VProm is a software emulation of the Linn LM-1 that can also load and playback the original ROM files of most 8-bit era drum machines, including the LinnDrum.
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