He Sent His LinnDrum to Bruce Forat... Here's What Happened

video upload by Brian Coyne Guitar

"I bought this 1983 LinnDrum on eBay, and after only a couple of weeks it started acting up. That's when I reached out to legendary LinnDrum expert Bruce Forat of Forat Electronics.

In this video, I document the entire experience—from Bruce's own recommendations on how to safely package and ship a vintage LinnDrum, to the repairs and maintenance he performed, to the way he carefully packed and shipped it back to me.

If you own a LinnDrum, Drumtraks, Oberheim DX, or any other vintage drum machine, you'll definitely want to hear Bruce's advice on shipping these rare machines safely. One careless shipment can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Along the way, I'll show:
• How Bruce recommends packing a LinnDrum for shipment
• The repairs and maintenance Bruce performed
• How the LinnDrum looked when it returned
• Why Bruce Forat remains one of the most respected names in the LinnDrum world

A huge thank you to Bruce Forat for keeping these classic machines alive for future generations of musicians."

Rare Vintage LinnDrum Drum Machine Fully FORAT Restored SN 1375

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via this Reverb listing

"Gorgeous LinnDrum, fully refurbished by the legendary Bruce Forat. This unit has been given a complete overhaul, including a rebuilt power supply, quick-swap EPROM sockets for easy sound changes, and the updated 3.1 operating system. All sliders, buttons, and potentiometers have been cleaned or replaced, ensuring smooth, reliable operation. Functionally, it performs exactly as it did when it left the factory, with rock-solid stability and that unmistakable Linn sound. A rare opportunity to own a classic that’s been professionally restored to near-new condition. A truly inspirational piece to work with."

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Linn LM-1 LinnDrum Computer SN 00035 Built In Roger Linn's Home

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via this Reverb listing

"RARE piece of Linn Drum LM-1 history. This machine has been updated by the one and only Bruce Forat from Forat Electronics. Bruce is THE repairman for these machines and he has this one cleaned up oh so nice.

Debuting in 1980, these first LM-1 were $5,000 then! During my research, I found that Roger Linn created the first 35 of the machines in a room in his house.This gem is #00035 meaning this was the last one built by Roger before mass production!

This comes with a custom made dust cover and I'm guessing an original manual in a cool shade of Chevy Chase pool blue 80s folder! It will be shipped in a SKB 24x24 case built like a tank.

I've held onto this machine for 25 years and had Bruce tweak it along the way. Now it's time for me to purchase a vehicle so I hope someone else can love it as much as I have. I had Bruce to add the exact signature Prince clap sound as heard on the Purple Rain album. I can also give the winner Bruce's contact information as he is a tremendous resource."

Additional resources: Linn LM-1 page on Culture Wikia

Roger Linn on Sessiondays

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Linn Electronics LinnDrum FORAT RESTORED and full MIDI + Manual, Data Tape and more! LM2

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via this Reverb listing

Pics of the inside below.

"This unit was originally owned by Skyline Studios, New York, NY and featured on dozens of records during the 80's and 90's.

Included is the original owners manual, original DATA Cassette tape, a copy of the cassette on CD, the Forat MIDI manual, and brand new wood end cheeks should you choose to install them for a beautiful Rosewood look (like the Yamaha DX1 Rosewood).

The LinnDrum is a digital drum machine designed by Roger Linn in the early 1980s, known for its realistic sampled drum sounds and its impact on 1980's pop music. It was a successor to the Linn LM-1, and was one of the first drum machines to use samples of real acoustic drums, rather than synthesized sounds.

Design and Functionality: The LinnDrum was designed to be a more affordable and widely available alternative to the LM-1. It featured a library of 8-bit digital samples of real drum sounds and allowed musicians to create and store their own drum patterns.

Key Features:

Sample-based sound generation: Unlike earlier drum machines that used synthesized sounds, the LinnDrum utilized samples of real acoustic drums, creating a more realistic and natural drum sound.

Sound sample changeability: The LinnDrum uses samples of real acoustic drums stored on eprom chips, these eprom chips are replaceable inside the unit giving the user the ability to buy or even make thier own and install thier own sounds/samples in the unit. Many are widely available on Reverb and elsewhere plus there are also people offering their services to custom make them for you.

Programmability: Musicians could program their own rhythms and sequences, rather than relying on pre-set patterns.

Individual outputs: Each drum sound could be routed to a separate output for further processing and mixing.

MIDI integration: Later versions and modifications of the LinnDrum included MIDI capabilities, allowing for greater control and integration with other instruments and recording equipment.

Impact on Music: The LinnDrum became a staple in 1980s pop music, appearing on countless hit records. Its realistic drum sounds and programmable features revolutionized the way music was produced and played. It's considered a landmark instrument in the history of electronic music and drum machines.

Successor to the LM-1: While the LinnDrum is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the LM-2, it was actually the successor to the Linn LM-1. The LM-1 was the first drum machine to use sampled sounds, but the LinnDrum was a more refined and better version."

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1980s Linn LinnDrum Fully Restored w/ Forat Mods + Forat MIDI

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via this Reverb listing

"Clean, excellent-condition and fully-restored Linn LinnDrum, just back from Bruce Forat. I had him add some tasteful (and in my opinion crucial) mods and his MIDI kit, which is the best there is. Here is the rundown on what has been done:

- Full electrolytic recap

- New Dtronics power supply

- All 16 panning sliders replaced

- All 16 volume sliders removed, disassembled, cleaned, & rebuilt

- All buttons disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt

- Sidestick Tuning Mod

- 5 Congas/5 Toms Mod (switchable between 5 of either, middle is stock)

- MUX Tuning Mod (all non-tunable voices can be tuned)

- Forat MIDI

If you’re not familiar with Bruce or his work, he is the best there is when it comes to these machines. His client list is a who’s who of the biggest artists in hip-hop, rap, rock, and pop and his work with these machines is ubiquitous with the biggest hits of the last 45 years."

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Linn 9000 Integrated Digital Drum Machine (FORAT)

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via this Reverb listing

Pics of the inside below.

The legendary Linn 9000 integrated digital drum machine & sequencer. This one has been serviced and overhauled by Bruce Forat. Upgraded power supply, OS, floppy disk emulator to read SD cards, new battery etc. This one includes a very rare, massive sound library from Bruce that cost a pretty penny. This thing sounds incredible. A truly inspirational piece to work with. These machines are notoriously temperamental. Occasionally you have to re-seat a sound card. Other than that it works perfectly.

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Linn Electronics LinnDrum LM-2 Drum Machine w/ Forat Midi Kit

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via this Reverb listing

Pics of the inside below.

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"1980s Linn Electronics LinnDrum LM-2 w/ Forat midi kit professionally installed. Works and sounds fantastic aside from it's cosmetic wear/age. Includes AC power cable.

Service notes:

-Rebuilt 5vdc supply PCB and capacitors
-Replaced electrolytic capacitors on CPU and panel PCBs
-Cleaned all controls and faders"

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F9000 Forat-modded Linn 9000

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via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"Forat 9000 / Linn 9000 with many upgrades - Sampling on all 18 pads - Last Forat OS v7.09 - SMPTE card - trigger inputs card - Sampling input card - Refurbished PSU - CF card with complete Sound library from Forat. (Unit still have original floppy drive) - Sequencer memory expanded to the max. - Big display for F9000 programing and small to access CF card libraries. - filter mods on Toms and Percussion cards. - comes witb USB stick with user and service manuals. As all Forat machines... this one sometimes have 'standard F9000' issue ... need Ram card to be re-sited. But beside that ... no issues."

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Forat F9000 rare modded Linn 9000

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via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"Ultra-rare, ultra-powerful (and ultra-confusing until you've spent a few hours getting your head around it, because many controls are re-purposed): Bruce Forat's elaborate take on the classic Linn 9000, adding tons of features, fixing bugs in the original system, and generally turning it into a mainstay of hit record production for a couple of decades (Madonna, Babyface, Glen Ballard etc). Fully checked at VEMIA in March 2024. 240V. Not in super cosmetic condition - these machines are nearly always workhorses - check the photos. Big and heavy: packing 20GBP."

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Linn 9000 Integrated Digital Drums / Midi Keyboard Recorder (Forat Mod)

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via this listing

"The infamous Linn 9000 drum machine in excellent condition! Serviced and upgraded by Bruce at Forat Electronics in 2018."

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Forat F9000

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via this listing

Pic of the inside below.

"The last Forat 9000 up for sale built by Bruce Forat in October 2019. Has all the Forat expansions plus extras, everything is listed in the receipt. Totally refurbished machine with:

-New PSU
-Sampling card with 18-pad sampling and the 64k memory mod. (max time on all the pads)
-256kb Ram memory expansion. (max time on the buffer memory)
-7.09 O.S with machined socket in the motherboard for more stable operation.
-14 different sampling rates from 11K to 37K.
-Blue LED display.
-CEM filter on the two sample groups with cutoff and resonance slider for the toms and the congas. (same filter chip than in the Fairlight CMI and OB8)

-Toms and Congas modified to be monophonic for longer samples to cut each other off. (great feature for drum loops)
-Forat SMPTE card.
-Internal battery replaced.
-Wood sides made by a carpenter from genuine flamed birch for unique looks.
-comes with a padded cover

Everything works and the machine sounds absolutely fantastic and even punchier than the usual SP1200's, MPC 60's etc. The most of these machines were built in the 80's/90's, but is the most recent built and these won't be made for anyone anymore. If you have been seeking this highly regarded collector piece, this is your chance. Will be shipped in a heavily padded suitcase. Selling because I have currently so many machines and so little time.."

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Forat F16 16-Bit Digital Sampler Drum Module w/ Remote & Accessories

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via this listing

"Forat F16 16-bit digital sampler w/ hard disk interface remote."

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Linn LinnDrum LM2 SN 1174 w/ Mods

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via this listing

"Linndrum LM-2 with LM-1 chipset from Bruce Forat, Midi and tuning on all sounds just like the LM-1."

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Linn9000 (Forat F9000) Integrated Digital Drums (Serviced by Forat Electronics) w/ Anvil Case & Extras

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via this listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"This Linn9000 was recently overhauled by Bruce at Forat Electronics Corp. Now converted to the Forat F9000 (without the larger LCD). Forat rewrote the Linn 9000 (Latest REV 7.09) operating system, fixed bugs and added many new hardware and software features. This F9000 includes an Anvil branded road case (re-foamed), updated user manual and Forat floppy library."

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Forat Modded Linn LinnDrum LM2

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via this listing

"The LinnDrum, a classic drum machine synonymous with the iconic sounds of the 1980s, has been meticulously upgraded with the Forat's specialty modifications for the Linn Drum. This enhancement retains the vintage analog charm of the original LinnDrum while introducing a range of modern features that cater to contemporary music production needs.

Key Forat Upgrade Features:

Enhanced Sound Palette: The Forat mod extends the LinnDrum's sound capabilities, allowing for a broader range of samples and a more diverse tonal spectrum. This modification includes new drum sounds and improved sampling quality, ensuring your beats sound fuller and more dynamic.
MIDI Integration: The Forat upgrade introduces advanced MIDI functionality, providing seamless integration with modern studio setups. This enhancement allows for precise control over the LinnDrum's sounds and patterns from any external MIDI controller or DAW.

Conclusion: The LinnDrum with Forat F9000 modification is a must-have for producers who appreciate the vintage character of the original LinnDrum but need the versatility and power required for today's music production. This upgraded machine combines the best of both worlds, offering timeless sounds with cutting-edge features."

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Linn LinnDrum LM2 w/ EPROM Library

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via this listing

"This is not an average LinnDrum LM2. Purchased used 2 years ago and fully refurbished including new MIDI installation by Bruce Forat of Forat Electronics. Included are 43 (forty-three!!) additional sound EPROMs! It works normally and is ready for years of use."

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Built-In Synthesizer Demo Songs

video uploads by tailbiterz

Title says it all. The above is playlist featuring the built-in demos songs for the following synths. Use the player controls to skip around.

Playlist:

1. PROTEUS 2000: Demo Songs: #synthesizer #synthlover

Demo songs from the EMU PROTEUS 2000 synthesizer.
Not my favourite demos. But I think the best ones are Forat and In Memory.

00:00 GonzoPop
02:18 Are & Be
03:57 World 5
05:42 Three AM
07:01 Forat
09:06 In Memory

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Linn Electronics LM-1 SN 00061 w/ Electrongate MCC-3 MIDI

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via this listing

"This listing is for a Linn Electronics LM-1 Drum Computer Machine. This is the one to get if you've been waiting! For this listing, this machine was just serviced and gone through by the undisputed king of Linn drum machines, Bruce Forat. Also featuring his 1-8 Trigger Output mod.

SPECS:
Serial #00061
Modded with 4 Dual Trigger Outputs by Bruce Forat
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED:

Electrogate MCC-3 MIDI Clock Converter (Clock out from this device into the "Ext Clock Input" of the Linn and Run/Stop out to the "Remote Play/Stop" of the Linn.
Photocopy of Linn Drum LM-1 Manual
MCC-3 User's Manual & Power Supply
4x Stereo 1/4 TS - 1/4" TRS Cables (For use with the 4 Stereo Trigger Outs)
2x 1/4" TS Cables for use with the MIDI Clock converter.
UNPACKAGED WEIGHT: 28 lbs.

UNPACKAGED DIMENSIONS: 22.25" x 6.75" x 21.5" "

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White E-MU Systems SP-1200 FORAT Drum Machine & Sampler

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via this auction

"This listing is for an E-MU SP1200 sampling drum machine. Serviced by the legendary Forat Electronics, who did a beautiful custom white color scheme. Very rare and one of a kind SP1200. Classic unit, heard on countless hit records!

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Linn LinnDrum LM-2 recently serviced by Bruce Forat

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Note the seller is offering 10% off to MATRIXSYNTH readers. You can make an offer at the listing and let him know if you saw it here.

"This LinnDrumm has the Forat MIDI kit, ZIF Sockets for easy changing of EPROM's, BASS 2 EPROM and full set of extra slider caps.
Bruce Forat installed the MIDI Kit, replaced capacitors, repaired all mixer faders! If you know anything about the LinnDrum it is that the mixer has a tendency to breakdown over time. This one works and feels great!

The FACTORY patterns and song are also loaded into memory and I will provide an audio file so you can reload it. It also is running OS 3.1 and Bruce kindly showed me how to access a "secret" second bank of pattern memory and I will provide instructions on how to do that.

Owner Manual, Service Manual, MIDI Manual and Factory memory will be provided via email, USB thumb drive or SD card. Which ever you prefer.

The LinnDrum is a drum machine manufactured by Linn Electronics between 1982 and 1985. About 5,000 units were sold.

Its high-quality samples, flexibility and affordability made the LinnDrum popular. The LinnDrum was used on many recordings throughout the 1980s, including international hits such as Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax", a-Ha's "Take On Me", Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F", Tears for Fears' "Shout", Deniece Williams's "Let's Hear it for the Boy", and Madonna's "Lucky Star".

The LinnDrum has fifteen 8-bit 28 kHz ~ 35 kHz digitally sampled drum sounds: bass drum, snare, side-stick snare, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, three tom-toms, cabasa, tambourine, high and low congas, cowbell, and hand-claps. It includes a sequencer for programming rhythm patterns, a built-in mixer and individual output jacks for each sound.

Service by Forat was completed on February 5, 2020."

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