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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.
zibbybone

zibbybone

Linn Electronics LinnDrum Vintage Drum Machine Basic Demo

Video thumbnail for Linn Electronics LinnDrum Vintage Drum Machine Basic Demo by zibbybone

Linn Electronics LinnDrum Vintage Drum Machine Basic Demo

zibbybone

zibbybone

Video thumbnail for We Ran a LinnDrum Through Pedals and a Neve Console | Funky Vintage Found on Reverb by Reverb

We Ran a LinnDrum Through Pedals and a Neve Console | Funky Vintage Found on Reverb

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for How to program a LinnDrum for quick jams by SynthMania

How to program a LinnDrum for quick jams

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for Vintage Drum Machines - LinnDrum  Samples by Simon Le Grec

Vintage Drum Machines - LinnDrum Samples

Simon Le Grec

Simon Le Grec

Video thumbnail for LinnDrum. Demonstration Record. 1982. by Adrian Täckman

LinnDrum. Demonstration Record. 1982.

Adrian Täckman

Adrian Täckman

Reviews

PROS

  • Authentic classic drum machine sounds

  • Integrates well in mixes with subtle processing

  • User-friendly sequencer feels natural, not overcomplicated

  • Pitch function and quantizing are notably effective

  • Programming beats is fun and always sounds good

  • Favored for its distinctive factory-default sounds

CONS

  • Can feel somewhat flat-sounding initially

  • Reliability issues reported in some units

  • 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

  • Separate outputs are common, allowing for individual treatment of sounds, similar to real drum recordings, but stereo outputs are used in smaller studios.

    Source
  • 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

  • Noise is a concern; gating or strip silencing is often necessary to manage noise from multi-tracks.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The LinnDrum often blends with real drums, typically adding sub-bass synth to the kick for depth.

    Source

User experience

  • The LinnDrum's imperfect clock timing contributes to its unique charm, as it doesn’t perfectly stay in rhythm with a grid.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jordansynth

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).

modernsoulrec

Amazing swing

Sounds great. Very unreliable machine. At least mine is.

jimmarchi1

they all are, yeah

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ken Freemen uses Linn Electronics LinnDrum

Ken Freemen

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Discogs

Freemen used a Linn Drum on the score to The Tripods. The gear list on the album is ambiguious if the LinnDrum in question is the Linn LM-1 or the Linn Electronics LinnDrum.

See how Peter Gill uses Linn Electronics LinnDrum

Peter Gill

Drummer

Frankie Goes to Hollywood

...
Verified via Muzines

"I've got an old Roland TR808 drum machine which has a set of trigger outputs and I use these with either a Dynacord Percuter or a Roland DDR30. I usually programme a pattern into the TR808 and use some of the outputs to trigger the Dynacord and the others for the DDR30. Once I've got a nice little groove happening along with the track we've already recorded, I just use an SRC Friendchip synchroniser to lock the two together so that I can add a few electronic drum sounds to the basic three-piece foundation of guitar, bass and drums already recorded. I also use a Roland Octapad and assign the outputs to play samples on the Emulator - oh, we've been using a Linn II drum machine out in Amsterdam as well."

See how David Cunningham uses Linn Electronics LinnDrum

David Cunningham

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Flying Lizards

...
Verified via Muzines

Absolutely everything in the studio goes direct into a patch-bay rather than the Soundtracs 16-8-16 mixer, even the Linn Drum. His effects range from a few Rebis modules, to a Ibanex HD1000 DDL, MXR Graphic Equaliser, and Electro Harmonix Instant Replay unit. There are also about five cheap and noisy effects pedals. Monitoring is via a pair of the ubiquitous Auratones whilst his latest purchase, a Sony PCM F1, has relegated his Revox B77 to the role of tape echo. The Sony is "a very neat little video machine. Betamax is much better than VHS because you can freeze frame upon frame which is great for me because I like working with pictures. It's brilliant for outdoor work too — it's lighter than a Uher and when you add a camera its a video!"

See how RetroSound uses Linn Electronics LinnDrum

RetroSound

...
Verified via Iheartsynths

In an interview with Iheartsynths, RetroSound discusses their musical influences, including iconic '80s bands like Depeche Mode and The Human League. While reflecting on their sound, RetroSound mentions their use of the Linn Electronics LinnDrum, a classic drum machine that complements their electronic style.

Album Usage

The Linn Electronics LinnDrum has been featured on the following albums:

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd (2025)

Hurry Up Tomorrow

The Weeknd (2025)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Animal In Me (The Lost Album Vol 2) by Christopher Saint Booth (2024)

Animal In Me (The Lost Album Vol 2)

Christopher Saint Booth (2024)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Ulterior Motives (The Lost Album) by Christopher Saint Booth (2024)

Ulterior Motives (The Lost Album)

Christopher Saint Booth (2024)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Doctor Who - Time and The Rani (Original Television Soundtrack) by Keff McCulloch (2023)

Doctor Who - Time and The Rani (Original Television Soundtrack)

Keff McCulloch (2023)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Give Me The Future + Dreams Of The Past by Bastille (2022)

Give Me The Future + Dreams Of The Past

Bastille (2022)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Dawn FM by The Weeknd (2022)

Dawn FM

The Weeknd (2022)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Ghostbusters Remix (Yago Boss Remix) by Ray Parker Jr. (2021)

Ghostbusters Remix (Yago Boss Remix)

Ray Parker Jr. (2021)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Aa∆zhyd China Doll by Edward Ka-Spel (2021)

Aa∆zhyd China Doll

Edward Ka-Spel (2021)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on After Hours by The Weeknd (2020)

After Hours

The Weeknd (2020)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Living on Video by Trans-X (2019)

Living on Video

Trans-X (2019)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood (2019)

Titanic Rising

Weyes Blood (2019)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Metamatic by John Foxx (2018)

Metamatic

John Foxx (2018)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Slide (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos) by Calvin Harris (2017)

Slide (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)

Calvin Harris (2017)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Don't Take The Money (Organized Noize Remix) by Bleachers (2017)

Don't Take The Money (Organized Noize Remix)

Bleachers (2017)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on A Deeper Understanding by The War on Drugs (2017)

A Deeper Understanding

The War on Drugs (2017)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Zoolook by Jean Michel Jarre (2015)

Zoolook

Jean Michel Jarre (2015)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Day of the Dead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by John Harrison (2014)

Day of the Dead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

John Harrison (2014)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on 808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West (2008)

808s & Heartbreak

Kanye West (2008)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Discovery by Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2001)

Discovery

Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2001)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Alive 1997 by Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2001)

Alive 1997

Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2001)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Homework by Daft Punk & Daft Punk (1997)

Homework

Daft Punk & Daft Punk (1997)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Music from Graffiti Bridge by Prince & Prince (1990)

Music from Graffiti Bridge

Prince & Prince (1990)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Hats by The Blue Nile (1989)

Hats

The Blue Nile (1989)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Doctor Who: Ghost Light (Original Television Soundtrack) by Mark Ayres & Keff McCulloch (1989)

Doctor Who: Ghost Light (Original Television Soundtrack)

Mark Ayres & Keff McCulloch (1989)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Faith by George Michael (1987)

Faith

George Michael (1987)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Bring On The Night (Live) by Sting & Sting (1986)

Bring On The Night (Live)

Sting & Sting (1986)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on No Jacket Required (2025 Mix) by Phil Collins (1985)

No Jacket Required (2025 Mix)

Phil Collins (1985)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on No Jacket Required (2016 Remaster) by Phil Collins (1985)

No Jacket Required (2016 Remaster)

Phil Collins (1985)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Hunting High and Low by A-ha (1985)

Hunting High and Low

A-ha (1985)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Points On The Curve by Wang Chung (1984)

Points On The Curve

Wang Chung (1984)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Axel F (From "Beverly Hills Cop") by Harold Faltermeyer (1984)

Axel F (From "Beverly Hills Cop")

Harold Faltermeyer (1984)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on War Baby - Hope & Glory by Tom Robinson (1984)

War Baby - Hope & Glory

Tom Robinson (1984)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on A Walk Across the Rooftops by The Blue Nile (1984)

A Walk Across the Rooftops

The Blue Nile (1984)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Junk Culture by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1984)

Junk Culture

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1984)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on The Art Of Falling Apart by Soft Cell (1983)

The Art Of Falling Apart

Soft Cell (1983)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on The Fugitive by Tony Banks (1983)

The Fugitive

Tony Banks (1983)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Lullabies by Cocteau Twins (1982)

Lullabies

Cocteau Twins (1982)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Happy Families by Blancmange (1982)

Happy Families

Blancmange (1982)

Linn Electronics LinnDrum as heard on Magic Windows by Herbie Hancock (1981)

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.

Community setups

Show yours
rflob

rflob

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global_wave

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1 alternative for Linn Electronics LinnDrum, curated by the Equipboard community.

Aly James Lab VProm

 

similar sound cheaper alternative

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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