LinnDrum LM-2 with Tuning Modification

I modified my LinnDrum so all voices could be individually tuned, which was an acknowledged limitation of this Linn model.
It's a similar mod that some have done to their TR-707. I think it really expands the sound of the LinnDrum.

If you want to do this to your LinnDrum, go to the Yahoo LinnDrum group and go to the files section. The whole writeup is there for downloading:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Linndrum/files/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• drum
• machine
• LinnDrum
• LM2
• vintage
• synth
• synthesizer
• analog
• modification
• circuit
• bending

[raVe4theslaVe]

hi. you seem to know your way around the linn models and im very new to it so maybe you can help me with some basic knowledge.

i am thinking of purchasing one but need to know a few simple things, which of the 2 machines (LM1, LM2) does the most prince trickery? the classic side stick eg 1999, the distorted hi-hat eg when doves cry or the hand clap that he usaly adds on every 4th snare hit eg 1999, WDC. could you guide me?

what is needed to hear it and use it? as i said, im a newbie :) thanks

[rolandsh1000]

well, as far as I can tell and what I've read, the classic Prince drum machine is the LM-1. if you Google, you find the following: 1) he seems to have had several LM-1s; 2) at least one of them was modified with switches (I don't know what they did, though); 3) it appears he post-processed each drum sound individually.

Upshot: the LM-1 would be the best choice to mimic Prince's sound, but it might not capture it exactly because of mods and outboard processing. good luck!

[7042407]

Is your Lindrum for sale?

[rolandsh1000]

Nope! But if you buy a LinnDrum, you can do this to it yourself or have a tech do it. The basic instructions are on the Yahoo LinnDrum site as a download.

There's another similarly modded LinnDrum here on Youtube, so I know it can be done by others.

[rockdove81]

Nice video. You seem like you really know what you're doing. Maybe you have a tip?

I just got shipped a LinnDrum and it seems to have some how been damaged during its trip. Nothing lit up when I turned it on . Opened it up, one ribbon cable was loose, pushed that back in. Tried replacing the fuse, taking out and replacing the semi-corroded leaky batteries. Still exactly the same. Just the slight vibration I think from a capacitor when I turn it on... Nothing else. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[rolandsh1000]

Hi - yikes, that sucks. Hopefully it was working before it got shipped?

Anyway, if you have a voltmeter, what I'd do is start checking the voltages on each of the boards to see if they're what they should be (+5V, GND, etc). You can get the service manual from the LinnDrum Yahoo group which should specify the right voltages in various places. You've already checked one ribbon cable, but I'd check and double-check them all, make sure none are flipped. There's more, but I'm out of characters!

[sprintbass]

LinnDrum2 is comming in 2010

[exactspace]

sounds great. i can't wait until the linndrum II comes out

[dzlvs8]

Uhhhh....what?

[kz1000ps]

3:10... the sound of that detuned crash is amazing

[DJCannibalMonkey]

Yo dude this is awesome! Love to see how people open up their gear and tweak with it to make it more interesting, great video man big ups! =D

[AceFan88]

i have one question

with a linndrum lm-2 can u tune the side stick without doing this mod?

[kotep777]

i think im going to get someone to do this modification....any tips or instructions?

tricks?

[donpepperoni0]

@sprintbass Time in runnung out!

[kingofkeyboards]

loving the modifaction! very handy feature to have when wanting more professional sounding results. nice drum programming too :)

[BLACKSUNR1SE]

very nice! great work :)

[nzSkitzo]

Hi there, I have a linndrum being sent to me in the post at the moment just a few questions. I need to plug it into my audio interface that only has one stereo input, do I need to run two cables out of the linndrum (L+R) then send them into the one port on the audio interface or will plugging in just the left channel work? And did you say stock that the sidestick is tunable? but it affects the snare at the same time? thanks = )

[soundscapenyc]

prince and human league put this machine on the musical map. love it!