Linn LM-1

The LM -1 Drum Computer, manufactured by Linn Electronics, the first programmable drum machines, the digital samples was used by an acoustic drum. He was conceived and developed by Roger Linn.

History

Roger Linn was a semi-professional guitarist in California. In 1978 he began the LM- 1 as an accompanying instrument for his home studio to develop. He wanted " a drum machine that could more play than just preset samba rhythms, while sounding like a cricket. " Linn had learned in BASIC and Assembler to program and began to work, play the user-programmed rhythm patterns and to one in a computer program could combine whole song. Linn was the first person who had the idea to use digital samples. He does not remember who had recorded the sounds used for the samples. It is believed that there were several studio drummer from Los Angeles, possibly James Gadson, Art Wood, Ron Tutt and Jeff Porcaro.

Linn used a 8-bit digital companding analog converter chip to convert the integrated digitized sounds into an analog audio signal. His first built around 1979 at the time the prototype was housed in a cardboard box and Linn drove this at parties at his co- musicians, including Peter Gabriel, members of the group Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Wonder. A total of about 525 units were built and sold until 1983, then the LinnDrum came on the market. The first 35 units were assembled in Linn's house before " 360 system " the production and marketing took over.

Distribution

Early 1980, he was sold for 4,995 dollars, then rose in price to 5,500 U.S. dollars, have been added as additional functions. Then the price fell back to 4,995 U.S. dollars and could be reduced due to cost reductions to $ 3,995 before the production after the release of the successor LinnDrum was adjusted. It was used in the 1980s by artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Human League, Peter Gabriel, Kraftwerk, Ultravox and others.