Roger Linn.  A pioneering figure in the world of electronic music.  As important to Hip Hop as the artists who created it.  Without the MPC where would we be?  One thing is certain.  We would not have the technological innovations that inspired so many artistic breakthroughs.  The evolution of electronic music has always been directly linked to the tools used to create it.  The MPC 60 & the MPC 3000 are to Hip Hop what the Strat & SG are to Rock.  Roger Linn’s designs have helped define a culture.  So when he endtroduces a new product…Im all ears.

The LinnDrum II.  It’s a collborative effort between Linn and Dave Smith.  The instrument is still in development and this is the third design revision.  I like it the best.  A classic blend of the old and the new.  The wood panels remind me of the vintage synths that inspired the early years of electronic music.  The sloped angle of the display panel is similar to the 60 mkII and the LM-1.  It’s spacey looking without the stripped down plastic box aesthetic found in so many other samplers on the market.  It looks like an instrument where others look like expensive toys.

Modern updates give us all the benefits of todays technology.  USB, a monitor out, a built-in analog synth, a turntable-pre for direct sampling, analog I/O…and who knows what else?  They’re not saying much.  No tech specs have been released beyond what’s visible in the photos.  Production has been delayed and we probably won’t get any final details until they’re ready to launch.  If you’re interested you can sign up for their mailing list here.

Solid,

P