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Average Price: $4,550
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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).
41029
they all are, yeah
Artist usage
Add artist
Luke Million uses a LinnDrum to play the drums part in his rendition of Axel F, as seen in this video from his studio.
Classixx's Linn Electronics LinnDrum can be seen at 4:15 in this video.
“Phase 2 began with Big Trouble In Little China. I had a new house and built a studio in the garage out back, which I called Electric Melody Studios, and where I had an Ampex MM1100 24-track instead of the Stephens. I added a Kurzweil 250 synth and a Prophet VS, both of which became main pieces, and also got the Linn Drum LM2 and an E-mu SP12 Drumulator. I started getting into computer-based sequencers as well. The first one I got was MOTU Performer on the Mac Plus. But the crown jewel which we got in 1986 was a Synclavier system. It was so expensive that I bought it on payments, it was like buying a house! I decided to go for the Synclavier rather than the Fairlight because it had added a Macintosh as its interface."
In an interview with Iheartsynths, FM Attack mentioned owning a variety of synthesizers, including the Linn Electronics LinnDrum.
"The TR909 is one of the few things I've been using on the drum side apart from the LinnDrum. I've used it on some of the sessions for Helen Terry's solo album, and it's worked very well indeed. It doesn't sound like the Linn at all, but I do think that sometimes the Linn can sound a bit samey, and I like to have some variation. What I like very much about the 909 is its' flamming ability, which is so easy to use."
According to page 12 of the May 1984 issue of Keyboard Magazine, Richard Gibbs used the Linn Electronics LinnDrum in conjunction with Zuma2.
"I did some Linn Drum programming on ‘Junk Culture’ but it was mostly playing on top of the Fairlight and the Linn Drum."
Stephen says in this interview that he uses a Linndrum.
In the video in which Moonlight Matters is taking Future Music Magazine on a tour of his studio, at 1:09:14 he says "Next up we have the LinnDrum" while showing it to the camera.
"We have a Yamaha RX11 drum machine but I'm a bit disappointed with that. For a start the memory is a bit limited, and because a drum machine is used like a sketchpad, it's very frustrating if you can't get enough bars into it. We use a LinnDrum with standard chips - our producer has some alternative sound chips too - and a Roland TR707 and 727 which are really good. They're amazing for the money, and we've just got an Octapad (Roland's MIDI drum pad set) which allows you to record drum patterns through MIDI onto the QX1."
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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