Linn LM-1

The **Linn LM-1 Drum Computer** was one of the first sampled and programmable drum machines, released in 1980. It was notably used by the likes of Prince (most notably), Heaven 17, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood and many more.

On the Genesis side of things, it was used by Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Peter Gabriel. A Linn LM-1 also appears on Steve Hackett's *Cured* and *Highly Strung* albums, programmed by keyboardist Nick Magnus.

***Note: Some people referred to (and still do refer to) the Linn LM-1 as the "LinnDrum" or "Linn Drum", which confuses it with its successor which bears that particular name. However, both drum machines can be told apart by their different characteristics and sound - for instance the LM-1 known for having an erratic time clock (which the LinnDrum had improved upon), the drum samples being different between the two machines and so on***

## Mike Rutherford's Linn LM-1

Mike got his Linn LM-1 drum computer in 1981 around the time of *Abacab*, along with Tony Banks.

The Linn LM-1 appears on Mike's album *Acting Very Strange* from 1982 - it was programmed by Pete Phillipps according to album credits.

On the *Genesis* album, Mike Rutherford had used in his LM-1 to program the drum beat for "Mama". The LM-1 was fed through a Fender amp and heavily distorted - 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.

### References

* Phil Collins interview on 2 September 1981 - mentions Tony and Mike owning new Linn's
* *Keyboard* magazine, November 1984
* Making of Mama footage
* Various
* Genesis 2001 Auction inventory

## Tony Banks' Linn LM-1

Tony Banks received his Linn LM-1 drum computer in 1981 around the time of *Abacab*, along with Mike Rutherford.

Tony Banks had brought over his Linn for triggering synths on the *Genesis* album. For "Mama", Mike's Linn was noticeably linked 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, 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)
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### References

* Phil Collins interview on 2 September 1981 - mentions Tony and Mike owning new Linn's
* *Keyboard*, November 1984
* *Electronics & Music Maker*, November 1983
* Genesis 2001 Auction inventory

## Peter Gabriel's Linn LM-1

Peter Gabriel used a Linn LM-1 to program drum loops as a rhythmic foundation on the *Security* album. On the final record, it's a combination of Linn LM-1 and real drums from Jerry Marotta.

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 one.