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Average Price: $4,550
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$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).
41029
they all are, yeah
Artist usage
Add artist
"On the first LP we used a Roland TR808, then went on to a Linndrum for a bit. We did the 'Lullabies' 12in with that, horrible. Nasty piece of work. It just sounds like a Linn. Then we got the Drumulator, an early one, I think it's serial number 70."
In a photo of Moby's workspace, a Linn Electronics LinnDrum is prominently featured, indicating its place in his collection of drum machines.
around 55 second he's playing the LinnDrum in the attached video
In this photo of Vangelis’ home studio setup, a LinnDrum is visible towards the top right corner.
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As seen from the photo we can see that Adam has the Linn Drum in his studio (top left on top of rack).
When releasing their highly acclaimed album, 'A Deeper Understanding', Adam decided to put what instruments and synths were used on each track in the Liner notes and Credits.
From this we can see that he used the LinnDrum on the song 'Up All Night'.
The Credits with all the listed synths + instruments can be found here: https://www.discogs.com/The-War-On-Drugs-A-Deeper-Understanding/release/10756085
Phil Collins used the Linn Electronics LinnDrum extensively on his 1985 album No Jacket Required, as evidenced by the picture showing him with the gear.
"When I got the LinnDrum, I forgot about my TR808 totally. But the other day we decided we'd like to sync it to the Fairlight, and we realised we'd have to do a lot of internal fiddling around to make it work properly, so in the end we just sampled each of the sounds, which was really quite interesting. I don't really like any of the sounds themselves; they're not much use unless you actually want to use sounds that are obviously electronically created. The difference between the 808 and the Linn is simply that one sounds like a drum-machine while the other sounds like a real drummer, or at least that's how I see it."
Used virtually throughtout Charm, Thirty Three's and By You on Tony's The Fugitive album.
S.O.S interview of Air members on how they built their own studio. Air give up the names of their synths plus photo of them
Used on Magic Windows, as specified in Herbie Hancock’s Electronic Instrument Glossary from September 14, 2016.
Linn Drum – This drum machine released in the early 1980s featured 15 drum sounds sampled from real drums and a sequencer. It was the successor to the LM-1. Herbie used this instrument on his 1981 album Magic Windows.
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In an Instagram post by Foster the People, Mark Foster can be seen in the studio with a Linn Electronics LinnDrum prominently placed on the right-hand side in front of his desk, indicating its use during their session.
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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Add recommendation1 alternative for Linn Electronics LinnDrum, curated by the Equipboard community.
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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