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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
'Ghosts' "This song started off by me messing around with a Linn Drum. I programmed something reminiscent of 'Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush, which ended up being completely changed. I think that the 'Electronic Sequential Keyboards' I'm credited as playing is a Roland JV5080."
"Then I programmed a Linn Drum percussion loop and we brought in Andy [Rourke, bassist] and Mike [Joyce, drummer] and played it to them. I remember saying to Mike, 'Just try and hold the groove down, don't worry about fills or anything!' We rehearsed it for a few minutes and then recorded two takes, and I edited the best bits of each take together. They came back and listened and everybody [apart from Morrissey, who wasn't at the studio] said, 'Oh yeah, this is great!'"
In the Bandcamp notes for the 2014 reissue of Laugh China Doll, Ka-Spel mentions that a LinnDrum was among the gear he borrowed to make that album.
A record created over 2 frantic weekends with borrowed equipment. Old friend Mick Marshall provided the Yamaha DX9 which was new and utterly fascinating back in 1984; there was a Linn Drum, a Fostex 8-track recorder and much spontaneity.
Harrison used the Linn Drum on the score to George Romero's Day Of The Dead
Neil says in this interview that both he and Stephen Luscombe programmed the Linndrum for the album "Happy Families."
It is mentioned in this article that Wang Chung used a Fairlight, a PPG Wave 2.2, a Prophet 5, a Jupiter 8, and a LinnDrum, on the "Points On The Curve" Album.
It is mentioned in this article that Wang Chung used a Fairlight, a PPG Wave 2.2, a Prophet 5, a Jupiter 8, and a LinnDrum, on the "Points On The Curve" Album.
"I had just moved to NYC and I didn’t have much equipment with me – a LinnDrum, DX7 and a Juno 106 and I made the record with just those instruments."
All the album's lead vocal credits go to Languirand, with Laura filling in with a few Continental-sounding interjections. And her voice is still on the single, despite the fact that she's left the band. 'I didn't make a lot of changes when I remixed 'Living On Video' earlier this year', explains Languirand. 'The main ones were to thicken up the lead vocals with a little bit of ADT, and to change the drum parts. Originally they were recorded with a TR808, but the studio has bought a LinnDrum since then, so I overdubbed some of the percussion.
In the interview he mentions the SCI Prophet VS, Studio 440 and the Linndrum
Eddie Ruscha can be seen using a Linn Electronics LinnDrum in this video posted to his official Instagram page.
As Keff mentioned in his website.
Equipment used on the Dr. Who sessions was:
Prophet V Synthesizer Emulator Sampling Keyboard Kurzweil Sampling Keyboard Roland S-50 Sampling Keyboard Linn Drum Machine Fender Stratocaster Guitar Atari 1040ste Computer Cubase Sequencing Software
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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