Busy Bezaleel

video upload by davidryle

"5U modular synthesizer song. Using the LinnStrument 128 and synthesizers.com Q174 MIDI Interface to play into the modular. The main voice was a pair of Synthetic Sound Labs TZ-VC Oscillators and a Yusynth ARP 4072 Filter. Bass line was the Q960 step sequencer to DOve D100 and D110 VCO's on to the Drove G294A filter. A kick drum is from the SSL Woven Spirits.The FX fluttering sound is the Dove D900 sequencer to a pair of STG Oscillators. The noise chuff sounds are the WCRS module into a MOTM 440 filter and delay.

The mid-section is the LinnStrument in arpeggiator mode for the bass line (a pair of Q106's through the Q107 filter) and for the upper arpeggiation (the TZ-VC osc pair through an Oakley SVF. The offbeat sequence is the Dove D900 through the STG oscillators and the Dove D502 filter. The pad sound is generated by the STG Voltage Mini Store to a pair of Q206 vco's and the Q150 filter to a Canyon Delay pedal."

Linnstrument tryout

video upload by Trigg

"Playing around with this nice MPE Controller with Surge XT VST."
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Check out Roger Linn's tips on the Linstrument here.

Roger Linn, Creator of the Original Namesake LinnDrum on Behringer's New LmDrum

The following is Roger Linn's statement on Behringer's LmDrum, written Jan 4, 2025, saved here for the MATRIXSYNTH archives:

In December 2024, Behringer released their "LmDrum", which is described on their site as:

"If you are looking for a drum machine that can recreate the classic sound of the 80’s, look no further than the Behringer LM DRUM. This amazing drum machine features an authentic 8/12-bit sampling sound engine that captures the essence of a hundred legendary 80’s drum sounds including those designed by Roger Linn such as the LM1*, LM2*, LM9000* and more. You can even record and store your own samples using the integrated line input."

Uli Behringer kindly sent me an LmDrum in August of 2024, giving me a chance to try it out. What do I think? I think it's a bit of a head-scratcher. It is clearly intended to evoke my 1982 "LinnDrum" drum machine, borrowing its visual style, control layout, colors and logo style, as well as copying its sounds and those of my LM-1 and Linn9000 drum machines. I took it apart and it even copies much of my LinnDrum sound generation circuit, even my bad ideas like the inability to tune any drums except the snare, toms and congas.

However, it uses an entirely different operating system and user interface, one that is based on earlier Behinger drum machines. Personally, I found it somewhat confusing and difficult to use, though I was given an unfinished manual. I'd imagine they will improve both the software and manual over time. I suspect the designers found it difficult to find a balance between 1) the impression of a LinnDrum clone, and 2) the addition of modern features, given that the 1982 LinnDrum's feature set is woefully inadequate by today's standards.

It's worth noting that Uli never asked my permission to either copy my visual design or my drum sounds. Though in 2020, he did kindly invite me to collaborate on a future drum machine, and I respectfully declined because of concern about Behringer's past business ethics and legal practices.

How do I feel about the LmDrum? My feelings are mixed. On the one hand, it's not unusual for companies to borrow ideas from older products in order to inspire a new and innovative design, which I've done in past. Plus, my old drum sounds are all over the web, controlling copying is difficult, and I don't enjoy legal stuff so I've generally ignored the issue so far. Also, the value in those old sounds is probably due more to Art Wood (the drummer who played the sounds, and my friend of many years), and to artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and others, who made those sounds famous on their hits. Finally, I must admit that I've never cared much about the past, because I find the future far more exciting.

On the other hand, even if we discount the copying of the visual design, logo style and sound circuit of LinnDrum, the LmDrum copies my sounds. So I'd have preferred for Uli to ask my permission. Even if he thinks it is legal, I question whether it is ethical.

I find it interesting that the LmDrum is being sold in the U.S. for only $399. Having taken it apart and seeing how complex the copied old circuitry was to reproduce, I doubt Behringer is making any money from it. I suspect that they originally intended to sell it for much more, then discovered that while many people may say they want a LinnDrum clone, few are willing to pay more than a low price for it.

On a related topic, GForce Software has recently released their "IconDrum" software drum sound generator. Like the LmDrum, it copies the LinnDrum's visual design, logo style, and drum sounds, but has no sequencing. Unlike Behringer, GForce did say they wouldn't release the product if I objected, but they seemed like good people so I turned a blind eye. They also offered to pay me an insignificant royalty for my association with the product and perhaps to use "LinnDrum" name, but I declined because of the low compensation and because I thought it was misleading to call a product "LinnDrum" that wasn't a drum machine but rather only played my copied drum sounds.

One last comment. What's the big deal about nostalgia? I can understand that some people value analog synthesis, though I find the many types of innovative software synthesis created in recent decades to be far more capable, versatile and interesting. But even if people value vintage analog synths, why vintage digital drum machines? I ask this because an old bit is no different than a new bit. Our collective love of nostalgia brings to mind an old Douglas Adams quote from Salmon of Doubt:

"I've come up with a set of rules that describe our reactions to technologies:
1. Anything that is in the world when you’re born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works.
2. Anything that's invented between when you’re fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it.
3. Anything invented after you're thirty-five is against the natural order of things."

As a guitarist, I recall having endless discussions in my youth about "good distortion". :)

- Roger Linn

Tips for developing expressive gestures on LinnStrument

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn explains tips for developing expressive touch gestures on LinnStrument.

Here's another good video, focusing on how to play expressive gestures of specific acoustic instruments:" [posted here]

Linnstrument Practice with Oberheim Xpander

video upload by Mano One

Why Touch Expression?

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn discusses why LinnStrument's touch expression is better than playing music with the simple on/off switches of a MIDI Piano keyboard."

Linndrum - Meticulously Refurbished by Professionals

video upload by tonetweakers

"Linndrum drum machine for sale, meticulously refurbished by professionals with decades of experience, no expense spared. If interested, please email us via the contact form at tonetweakers.com.

Here’s our latest Linndrum playing the beat from @whamofficial song “Everything She Wants”, which is one of our favorite 80s synthpop tunes. What’s your favorite Linndrum track?"

https://tonetweakers.com | Tone Tweakers eBay

Getting Started on LinnStrument (2024)

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn helps you get started on LinnStrument.
To learn about LinnStrument, visit rogerlinndesign.com."

Synclavier Regen: FM-ing a Classic Fairlight Sample

video upload by Paul Schilling

VGM #216: The Port Town of Brisk // Sea of Stars ((Piano/Synth Rock Cover)

video upload by Amie Waters

"Thank you to my patrons for voting on this track for me to cover! I adored my time with Sea of Stars and I was so happy to finally get to cover something from it! What a wonderful indie RPG game with a delightful soundtrack.

https://www.patreon.com/amiewatersmusic

Amie Waters uses synthesizers and vibes to create emotive and moving covers from your favorite movies, tv shows and video games. Some of her most well known work was made under her old name, Ace Waters, which includes Covers from Undertale, Zelda, and more. Her music covers a wide range of styles, from ambient mood pieces to progressive synth rock and everything in between."

Roger Linn tries out a new Akai MPC

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn, designer of the original Akai MPC, tries out a new Akai MPC to see how good it is."

Upcoming Instrument Design Workshop with Roger Linn at CCRMA

via Roger Linn Design

"Every year around June, I and Sasha Leitman co-teach a one-week, five full days, hands-on workshop about designing and creating simple electronic music/audio projects at Stanford University's CCRMA computer music school, either in-person or remote via Zoom.

In the workshop, Sasha and I provide lots of information about sensors, actuators, software, mechanical design and materials, and lots more. We help you come up with a project idea and help you build it. If you're attending in person, you'll have access to sensors, actuators and electronic/mechanical tools in the CCRMA Max Lab. Or if you're attending remotely online, you'll obtain the needed items in advance. Either way, we'll provide one-on-one help with your project.

Given that the workshop is only one week, the projects are generally simple, providing a novel way of interacting with sensors to generate sounds, controlled by software written for a Teensy microcontroller board or a laptop. Click [here] for some examples of projects from the 2023 workshop.

Our microcomputing platform of choice for projects is the Teensy microcontroller board, which is based on the Arduino software environment, but students are welcome to use their development platform of choice.

The workshop is conducted both in-person at Stanford ($500) or remote online from anywhere ($250). It is open to all, with no prerequisites.

In 2024, the dates are Monday June 17 through Friday June 21.

To learn more, here is Sasha's overview of the workshop.

To see some of the content of my lectures for the workshop, click here.

To register, click here.

I hope to see you in June!

- Roger"

LinnStrument Disassembly 2024

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn demonstrates how to disassemble and reassemble and LinnStrument in order for owners to perform parts replacement or repairs at home without sending it away."

Close up with LinnStrument

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn gives a close-up demo of LinnStrument, to benefit those who are interested in it but don't have an opportunity to play one before buying,
To learn more about LinnStrument, visit rogerlinndesign.com."

Modular Meditation: Buchla Easel + LinnStrument

video upload by Mano One

Modular Meditation - Buchla

video upload by Mano One

thoughtForm on LinnStrument Clip #music #linnstrument #synth #surgeXT #synthesizer #thoughtform

video upload by thoughtForm Max

thoughtForm: Illuminations

Basic chords & scales on LinnStrument

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn explains where the pitches are on LinnStrument, and how to play basic chords & scales."

Creating LinnStrument MPE sounds in Surge XT

video upload by Roger Linn

"Roger Linn explains how to use the free Surge XT synthesizer to create sounds that play well with LinnStrument or other MPE controllers."

Using the Linnstrument with Aalto

video upload by Madrona Labs

"This video walks you through how to use Aalto with the Linnstrument and other MPE controllers.

Madrona Labs: https://madronalabs.com/
Linnstrument: https://www.rogerlinndesign.com/

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:20 Getting Started
00:35 Linnstrument Settings
01:06 Aalto X Output
01:24 Mod cc# Settings
01:36 Mod Output
02:48 Linnstrument Aftertouch Sensitivity
03:22 Aalto Y Output
04:32 Velocity Output and settings
05:19 Aalto Input Dial Settings Tip
06:07 Outro"

Terraforming | Extending Soma Lab's Terra with midi

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"When I started this journey I was looking forward to use the Terra MPE mode as a fancy controller. I made a video, and deleted it later because it didn't meet my expectations compared to dedicated controllers like the Linnstrument and the Seaboard. The old video ended with a lot of speculation and a nice patch with Terra and a modular setup. It wasn't any good. But I could not let it rest either.

It did not use the knob/sensor mappings and I did not check how it would behave as a controller for an MPE PC/VST setup. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't spectacular. Terra uses fixed Midi CC messages, and my VST did not support midi learn. It was another dead end. Yesterday I decided to make a CC mapping for the Endorphin_es Shuttle Control and tried a full modular MIDI to CV route, mapping all Terra's knobs and the ABCD sensors. This turned out to work really well. This video is not intended as a 'how to do it', because I am still working on it. It also requires the right eurorack modules and there are just too many converters/options.

It's been a connectivity nightmare that took way too much time and energy. But now my Shuttle has a preset mapping and I can now start experimenting and exploring. I really enjoyed the music and sounds that emerged along the ride. The footage I used is from Iceland."