Linn LM-1

The Linn LM-1 was one of the first drum machines to use digital samples of real drums. Released in 1980 by Linn Electronics, it is widely considered a revolutionary instrument that significantly impacted popular music, particularly in the 1980s.

The LM-1 offered several features that set it apart from its predecessors, including individually tunable voices, the use of actual recorded drum sounds (sampled at 8-bit resolution), and a programmable sequencer. These features provided musicians with a degree of realism and control previously unavailable in drum machines.

Its distinctive sound, characterized by its punchy kick drum and crisp snare, became a signature element of many hit records across genres such as pop, rock, and R&B. Its price point, while high for the time, was justified by its professional sound and functionality, making it a sought-after tool for both studio recordings and live performances.

The LM-1 was followed by the LinnDrum in 1982, a slightly more affordable and feature-rich model, which further solidified Linn's influence on electronic music production. Despite its limited memory capacity and relatively short lifespan, the Linn LM-1's impact on music technology and popular culture remains substantial.