Linn LM-1

The Linn LM-1 Drum Computer is a drum machine released by Linn Electronics in 1980. It was the first drum machine to include sampled drum sounds stored in memory chips, the technology of which was still in development at the time. And also offered full programmability. Drum sounds stored includes: kick, snare, claps, hi-hat, tom-toms, rimshot, cabassa etc. It was used by the likes of Prince, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Heaven 17, Human League, Steve Winwood, Michael Jackson and many more.

Both Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford took advantage of the new drum machine. So did Peter Gabriel. The Linn also appears on Steve Hackett's Cured (1981) and Highly Strung (1983) albums, programmed by keyboard player Nick Magnus.

'Note: The Linn LM-1 is commonly erroneously referred to as the "LinnDrum" or the "Linn Drum", which confuses it with its successor which bears that particular name. Both drum machines are easily distinguishable by their sounds and overall different character (such as the LinnDrum (LM-2) having an improved rhythm clock). It is unclear how the widespread use of the reference "Linn Drum" evolved, but is thought to have been a shorthand for its full name the "Linn LM-1 Drum Computer".'

Mike Rutherford's Linn LM-1
As per Phil in a promotional interview for Abacab, Mike received his new Linn LM-1 drum computer in 1981 alongside Tony Banks. The Linn LM-1 appears on some tracks on Mike's album Acting Very Strange from 1982, programmed by Pete Phillips according to album credits.

On the Genesis album, Mike Rutherford programmed the drum beat for "Mama" using the Linn. The LM-1 was fed through a Fender amp (or Yamaha G100 212) with heavy distortion - this was mixed with the direct signal from the Linn to give the sound some character. Linn percussion can be heard on "Taking It All Too Hard".

Mike's Linn LM-1 was sold in 2001 with other Genesis gear from the farm.

Tony Banks' Linn LM-1
As per Phil in a promotional interview for Abacab, Tony Banks received his then-new Linn LM-1 drum computer in 1981 alongside Mike Rutherford.

On the Genesis album, Tony Banks had brought over his Linn LM-1 for triggering synths (pre-MIDI). For "Mama", Mike's Linn was probably connected to Tony's Linn, which he used to trigger the ARP Quadra's pulses using a cowbell which isn't heard in the mix. He previously used this triggering technique on The Fugitive. While the Linn was pivotal to the writing stage (replacing the Roland CR-78 CompuRhythm), only very few Linn parts were kept on the record. It appears on "Thirty Three's", for example.

Tony Banks' Linn LM-1 was sold off in 2001 with other gear from The Farm.

Tony Banks quotes on the Linn LM-1
"'I've got an eight track system set up at home, the Brenell, with all the keyboards set up and the Linn [LM-1] drum machine, which means that I can just pop in and play over a few ideas whenever I like. Everything is triggered through the Linn so that I can control the rhythmic element from a musical direction - the ideas for the reggae side (especially on 'Fugitive') came from that, using the double beat as a basis for the chord patterns. But I wouldn't like to use the pulses too much - you end up with a sound that is all a bit 'spot on' and electronic. There seems to be little emotion in there. I know a lot of young bands are using microcomposers in this way, but you get to the point where even non-electronic things start to sound electronic. (Electronics & Music Maker, November 1983)"

Peter Gabriel's Linn LM-1
Peter Gabriel was known for being an early adopter of the Linn LM-1 drum machine, which he built much on the Security album on in 1981/82. He dumped the presets on the drum machine first, and programmed his own rhythms (drum loops), as part of his "rhythm first" approach to songwriting. With the Linn especially, it gave Peter more control over the rhythm parts, having once been a frustrated drummer. Previously, he had a PAiA Programmable Drum Set, which was a precursor to the Linn in terms of programmability and did not have the sampled drums technology yet. On the final record of Security, the songs are often a mix of Linn patterns and real drums from Jerry Marotta, as opposed to the Linn replacing the drummer or vice versa.

In footage from the South Bank Show TV Special, Peter Gabriel's LM-1 says "Speed" rather than "Tempo", meaning it's a very early Linn. He probably had access to it via Syco Systems company, which was the UK distributor of the Fairlight CMI sampling synthesizer of which Peter Gabriel was an advocate. He went on to purchase the LinnDrum and later the Linn 9000.

Later appearances of the Linn LM-1 are "Floating Dogs" on the Birdy soundtrack, for some of the percussion sounds. And "Don't Give Up" on the So album, with the suitably mellow drum machine sounds in the intro which bear a strong characteristic of the LM-1.

Quotes on the Linn LM-1
"'My Linn [LM-1] has also altered the way I write. Part of the writing process on the last two albums bas been that of rhythm first. Drum computers have offered me the ability to take my hands off the instrument and still have a great feel to carry on. I like to find new rhythms, I think a lot of rock rhythms are getting boring. Half of the rhythms on the new album are in a more traditional style with different emphases and the unusual patterns that were taken from a rhythm 'library' that I had built up with about 40 ideas. I might use some of the remainder in the future' (International Musician & Recording World, June 1983)"