Roger Linn Linnstrument - SonicLAB Review

[@BirdYoumans]

If people only knew about this thing, it would take over. I just learned about it a month or so ago, watched a few vids, fell in love with the concept and ordered mine and received it a couple of weeks ago. I'm retired from the road now at 78, but if I were still touring, this would be my instrument. Slam dunk. I love this thing! Can't believe it took me so long to hear about it. It is the perfect synth controller.

[@RadicalCaveman]

It probably wouldn't exactly take over because the price is a bit prohibitive for a lot of people, but I totally see your point.

[@BirdYoumans]

@@RadicalCaveman True, it is relatively expensive. I got mine Feb 5 and have never looked back. Granted, I've played keys and frets pretty much all my life so it was easy to make the transition. I was playing most any melody I could think of within a matter of minutes. While it would not be that easy for everyone, It's worth the effort! Still getting used to hitting the "note" or button etc. dead on but it's getting easier each day. If you don't start pretty much in the center of the pad, it can be a bit out of tune due to the nature of the vibrato and slide capability. But it's just a matter of time. Already passable tho. But what I really like is that it makes me think in new and different ways musically since, tho it is a bit similar to frets or keys, it's not the same. Did I say I love this thing? I'm going to have to take a break to eat before much longer tho lol!

[@RadicalCaveman]

@@BirdYoumans Are you playing in fretless mode? I thought, if not, that if you hit anywhere on the pad, it played the exact pitch of the note and only changed once you started moving your finger.

[@BirdYoumans]

@@RadicalCaveman I tried most if not all the different settings in that regard, and that does help except then when you start the vibrato, there's a tiny little glitch that takes place I suppose from the button having to quickly jump to where you actually landed pitch wise before a smooth vibrato can then work properly. So I just work on landing properly and then the vibrato is wonderfully smooth and correct. I've only had it a couple of months and it gets easier each day. Besides, unless you harmonize it, the out of "tuneness" is not as evident anyway. Also, there is a difference in the mono mode on the synth itself. I like the non legato mono because it allows guitar like trills where the note you play cuts off the note before and restarts the new note as oppose to picking up where the sustain was on the previous note which is how legato mono works. But there would be times for that as well. These are just little things, but the options are all there and I just love this thing! I'm astonished that he was able to create it as near perfect as he did. If I was going to play things of a chordal nature like we do on keyboard, I'd still use a keyboard, but for playing parts like an orchestra does, I'll always use this from now on. The difference of course is that we get synth sounds instead of violins etc. You can of course play "violin" parts with samples and sound much closer to the real thing because of the slides and vibrato possibilities. It already feels like a long lost friend. Now I've got to learn to assign the "north and south" pressure to the filter on the synth in order to add brightness or darkness, again with the movement of the finger. Still figuring out how to do that. That will open up even more possibilities.

[@shaunreich]

@@BirdYoumans how'd you find the velocity? I've heard some criticism of that? Also, what do you think about the structuring of it, as far as creating chords comfortably. One of the things that makes guitar a lot... I'm just concerned ya know, learning another instrument and dynamics and don't want it to be too crappy where it hits a wall of expression. Is the tactile feeling of it good? A lot of instruments make the mistake similar to cars these days, where they go to touch less buttons but then you can't feel your fingers in the dark. Also, how's the sound sound? I'm a total synth newbie, but I'm less interested in very digital sounds and most interested in ones that sounds more acoustic. Strings. Piano, guitar, harp, etc... Any opinions you could share on it would be appreciated. I'm considering the linnstrument or the expressive osmose E. But this one seems like it could be really powerful. I don't want to get into the time of configuring a bunch of synth settings though, plug and play is kinda the way I'm leaning

[@innerpull]

they had one look at this thing and said "...uh...alright, get gaz in here..."

[@simonjonasmusic8410]

Exactly what happened.

[@shamharoth]

Great review! I've had mine since they started shipping to the UK and it's a lovely piece of kit. The support is also second to none, with Roger and Geert often answering questions personally within an hour or so. Mine even came with a hand-signed letter from Roger with his personal email address and phone number to call if there were any problems. It's not the cheapest, but as Gaz says in the review it's really well made and sometimes you get what you pay for. There's also talk on Roger's forum about them building a step sequencer into it, which will be a superb addition.

[@photonjiagu]

One thing none of the reviews mention is that it will not detect velocities below about 24 (on the MIDI scale of 0-127). This is quite noticeable for me and a major disappointment (although I am not returning it). In all fairness, I tested my Akai padKontrol and ran into the same problem so it's possible the same problem exists on all touchpads; however, this thing is being sold as an "instrument" and also as a more "expressive" instrument when it fails for velocity against almost any cheap keyboard. I hope future versions will offer more expressive velocity. That is very important to me.

[@drwhitley]

I have owned a Linnstrument for about 11 months. It has been a fun instrument to learn coming from a guitar background. Roger Linn is a class act and will personally back his instruments. I use it control my modular synth, other synths, VST's, etc etc. Here's a short piece recorded on it: soundcloud.com/exmd/rainy-november-day-linnstrument

[@drwhitley]

Also, this review was useful to see some features I didn't even realize it had. Love it!

[@arsalino1116]

Wow sounds meh at best.

[@browe]

Cheers, Gaz! My LinnStrument arrives soon, and I'm looking forward to trying it with my analog Keys!

[@MODUS_OP]

LED, no LED... live together in perfect harmony... side by side on my new Linn-stru-ment, oh lord, why can't we? 🎹🎼

[@northerntao]

Had one for about 6 months and I find it indespensible. I was kind of skeptical when ordering, and it took a bit of time to adjust to the sensitivity of the pads, but once I did it was/is incredible. I use the guitar tuning, being a better guitarist than keyboardist. About time they got around to reviewing it.

[@DOGMATECH2]

Hey Gaz, you forgot to mention that it is also open source and alternate firmwares like midi controller modes are entirely possible. Also regarding the price: Even if Roger Linn designs would go belly up, support can easily be taken over by the community, thanks to open source.

[@shamharoth]

Good point Philippe. It's an Arduino inside, so the code is also pretty easy to dig into.

[@MadelnMachines]

Can you pick a scale and make it light up the notes in that scale a different colour to help you out learning scales and chords on it?

[@RhombusLabs]

it's about time you guys did a review on this.

[@Diamond_Sandwich_media]

I have one for sale. It's so awesome, but gotta pay rent lol hit me up.

[@NicoHolloman]

Mike Mair have you sold it already?

[@Diamond_Sandwich_media]

@@NicoHolloman yea

[@dynjarren7523]

This is Cool! I like it! Thanks for demonstrating this new Linn instrument! This is good for Music! I’m surprised no one is playing this professionally.

[@BirdYoumans]

People don't know about it yet. I just found out about it after all this time, saw a few vids, fell in love and got mine about two weeks ago. Instant love affair. I'm retired from the road at 78, but if I was till touring? I'd use it as my main instrument in a heartbeat. And I'm about to add wireless midi to it. If that works as well as it does on the wire, I will have gone to heaven. Actually, I'm already there. I can't believe this thing even exists. Thank you Roger Linn!!!

[@RundFyrkant]

Fantastic review... More Gaz reviews please... Yeah Nick is super also but i like the different approaches.. makes the the reviews dynamic

[@MrBothandNether]

Thank You Gaz, answered all of my questions. the 5-pin midi out makes this more useful than the Roli my Wife uses, it only has USB. I really want the 128, I'll get one when they are back in stock. and also a Saturday Night Fever John Travolta action figure.

[@Angelstarscotland]

Like this a lot, I've been playing Geoshred a lot on the iPad pro this might the next step. Great review Gaz I love the the sound of that Electron synth

[@mick384561]

That's amazing realistic electronic emulation of acoustic Instruments.

[@McHale72]

I have a Linnstrument and it's a LOT easier to use than it looks from the demo. And simply put, you can NOT get this kind of control or expression from any other midi controller. It's obviously not my primary controller but it's one that I feel everybody should have. The ability to accurately play a synth like a slide whistle or a trombone is great, especially if you want to play either of those instruments realistically. You can change the button layout to be a guitar fret board (great for doing guitar stuff or playing fast runs and solos) or a variety of different ways. It's one amazingly flexible and powerful controller.

[@OxidativeDekarbOx]

Thanks. I was already sold when Hagrid started showing me an instrument

[@arrandan]

Very good video (as usual)! It's very strange how the automatic chapters have cut it so that the longest part is named "negatives", which is entirely incorrect. Gaz seems to be enjoying it quite a bit, which is confirmed when he calls it "brilliant" and "musically inspired".

[@joshuajaworsky5367]

Gaz you are a gentlemen and a scholar

[@mattsynth]

I am a little sceptical about entering into this technology at this time but I can see MPE being the future for keyboardist. The Seaboard Rise has interested me for some time because it is designed to look like a familiar keyboard. I am waiting for a 61 key, 12 voice, Rise analog synth with this technology built in. I have a feeling it is right around the corner.

[@pv6496]

mattsynth The Roli Equator synth engine is digital, but it would be nice to see a stand alone Rise Synth for sure. The other Seaboard version is simply too expensive for a somewhat experimental keyboard interface IMO. If it had an analog engine, I suspect it would probably have to be thicker/a different form factor.

[@mykhayloslobodyan1250]

Wait. MPE is kinda part of MIDI, and MIDI is dated 1982. How come an outdated technology from 80's, which in case of LinnStrument etc can overcome its own limitations only by *_abusing_* its own features (channels) - is our future? God forbid.

[@mattsynth]

Midi is 1983 and now, only better, more evolved since it's early days. MPE is just another evolution of midi. I have not seen any other system that works as good or is as stable as midi so why not. I am excited about the future of midi.

[@juschu85]

3:15 And what tells us that? Midi is just to old and finally needs to be replaced by a modern more felxible protocol. We're also not using typewriters anymore. In the time of USB 3.1 and Thnderbolt 3 there should be a higher resolution than 0 to 127 for controll data, we should not be limited to 16 channels and every single note should have it's own pitchbend without the worrkaround over channels, which blocks you from using channels for their original purpose.

[@mykhayloslobodyan1250]

Enter OSC en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Sound_Control Also see opensoundcontrol.org/what-difference-between-osc-and-midi , and do not forget that LinnStrument firmware is opensource.

[@juschu85]

I don't know many details about OSC but I know it exists. But I don't asked for the existance of a more modern protocol. I want MIDI to be replaced by a modern protocol. The exitance of OSC alone doesn't change anything as long as the companys don't implement it in their controllers. It's not like, that I can install OSC on my controller if I prefer it over MIDI. That LinnStruments firmware is open source is a nice thing, but that doesn't give us automatically OSC support. It's a pretty expensive device, it will have a pretty small user base, an even smaller user base who are also developers, just a few of them will see the need to implement OSC support for LinnStrument and how many of those three or five people will find the time to actually do that? And then there are still all those other controllers with a closed source fimeware. I was not only talking about the LinnStrument. This is a general problem with every midi controller.

[@mykhayloslobodyan1250]

Ok then, realistically how do You envision that "replacement"? What can we, mere users, do to them companies that develop controllers to make that happen, other than to write them emails and voting with our purses, e.g. "if it can't do OSC don't buy it"? Don't forged that it may be possible to hire some developer to just add OSC to LinnStrument for You. I, for one, _almost_ have the skills needed and I can probably find the time, but I have no LinnStrument myself, nor do I want to spend on a controller that isn't really suitable for playing microtonal music.

[@juschu85]

How, do I envision this replacement? Well, just like any other replacement Like "DVI for VGA", "HDMI for DVI", "DP for HDMI", "SSD for HDD", "USB for RS232", "LTE for HSPA", ... Replacements like that happen all the time. The Industry starts producing devices with a new standard, after a few years they remove the old standard and if you want to continue to use the old standard you have to buy a converter. Just like there are converters from MIDI to CV. What can we do as normal users? Not much. Near nothing. We can't even threat Novation, Akai, M-Audio and so on, that we won't buy their controllers if they don't have OSC. They won't take us seriously since there are not really many alternative controllers that support OSC we coud use instead. A controller withouth OSC is still better than no controller at all. Hire someone to implement an OSC firmware? That's possible. At least with the LinnStrument. But not with all the other controllers with a closed firmeware. And it will certainly cost much more than the LinnStrument itself.

[@doctorauxiliary]

great insights & overview. thanks bunches, gaz!! you, sir, are indeed the bee's knees.

[@tonhueb]

I think you didn't cover the arpeggiator. Does it work how you would expect an arpeggiator to work or is there anything special to it?

[@beefdlo]

When you set the pitchbend to two octaves, don't you get a little bit of stepping on the more subtle (less than a semitone) vibrato? Can't really tell on a standard pitchwheel as it just becomes a crazy whammy effect

[@waltmodul7948]

We'll done Gaz. Green Case ,green app matching to the green bottoms. And as a color complimentary a reed shirt

[@janminor1172]

This seems like a clever and well thought out device with a great user interface. Would be cool if it had an onboard ARM based Linux system with Pure data or Csound which would allow for expandable synthesis. I kind of want to have one, but at the price point I cannot really justify it.

[@infindebula]

I was thinking about buying that new USB/lightning dongle so I could run MIDI from my iPad while keeping it charged. Are you saying it doesn't work? (I do have the original "camera connection kit" dongle which works well)

[@Robstafarian]

Gaz did a great job!

[@cedarandsound]

that sound at 16:26 reminds me of 1982 blade runner

[@plpm]

thanks for the video!! Could you tell me how you sync your screen movements' to the audio please?

[@enoz.j3506]

Billy Connolly doing this demo,who would of thought.

[@PaulMabley]

I've had my eye on one of these for ages, but there's nowhere in the UK that sells them on the 'Never Never'....

[@SPAZZOID100]

Use the internet!!

[@LaurentDiscShowMan]

Muy bien..very good..buen controlador para enchufarlo a cualquier otro aparato musical y para tocar solos de cualquier instrumento..posiblemente me lo compre y lo tengo en mi taller musical..bien animo con todas las cosas y vayamos todos con alegrías..

[@gkillmaster]

very great intro tutorial inside a thorough review! thanks so much!

[@ChrisCorrado]

awesome review! thanx for that.

[@fburton8]

A touch of the Bert Smorenburgs at the beginning there! ;)

[@hiltoniusmusic]

very nice, gaz. thanks!

[@puma8373]

Does it have software?

[@kwyman986]

Gaz- why don't you turn it around upside down? That way your fretting hand would be aligned with the Linnstrument the same way you play bass. Playing it straight on seems like it goes against any muscle memory you have. Or I guess you could tune it in fifths.

[@OldManFifa]

I'm not a guitar player but I can see it's like playing a guitar from the front. I think it comes with a strap so can be held like a guitar but upside down is even simpler

[@Michael_RareZebra]

Nice review - Thank you.

[@illustriouschin]

OK now review the Bodily Acoustic Antagonistic Undecagonstring.

[@robertsyrett1992]

They don't make those old camera kit adaptors anymore! what a shame.

[@albedo0point39]

Robert Syrett Sure they do!

[@robertsyrett1992]

albedo0point39 is amazon lying to me? I ran a search on "apple camera adaptor kit" and the design featured in this video is labeled "Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (MD821ZM/A) (Discontinued by Manufacturer)"

[@albedo0point39]

Why look on Amazon? Check the Apple site itself - 'Lightning to USB camera adapter' is clearly available.

[@robertsyrett1992]

albedo0point39 That's the one that is described as not compatible with the Linnstrument. It has an additional lightning port and that messes everything up.

[@edmontontech2008]

I just have one question, Are you also going to be in the Boondocks Saints 3?

[@cresshead]

50's sci-fi movie soundtracks!

[@jetlag1488]

6:45 Onee-chan!

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Haha, I noticed the same thing, I'm somewhat embarrassed to say.

[@KarlMiller-DjKarl]

Gotta love Gaz...💯☮️🔥

[@geecen]

I wish companies would just use OSC or invent a better standard than MIDI!

[@mykhayloslobodyan1250]

Well, then tell *them* that, or just vote with your wallet.

[@geecen]

There's nothing to vote for! Midi is a resiously outdated standard and I don't know of any synths or hardware controllers that use OSC, only software.

[@mykhayloslobodyan1250]

Vote for software synth with OSC support, then! I believe that SuperCollider and its flock has respective developers who aren't entirely against donations :-) and also with OSS You can actually hire someone to patch it to Your likings. If the patch was "sane" and potentially useful, it'll be included in mainline, etc, as always. Also, don't forget that LinnStrument is opensource, so one can probably add OSC support, but attention must be paid to slowness and quirks of its HW. Alternatively You can buy/make HW synth that supports it. Could be pricier, *_but_* built to *your* specs. My understanding is that today there's plenty of hardware components to choose from, as long as You're happy with DCOs and DSPs. OTOH if You do need entirely analog path, this (making or ordering it) may become just too pricey.

[@geecen]

Yea true! I do use supercollider so a donation is probably in order. As for getting my own equipment built to spec, well that's probably beyond my means ;). I'm just interested ass to why it hasn't been taken up by more companies, especially with the drive for more gestural stuff. HAving to use the pitch bend on separate midi channels to get more than 127 resolution seems a hack at best in this day and age.

[@barrierloss]

It's going to get there but it's going to take a very long time. OSC is just now showing up in hardware for the first time (ooscc, a couple monome products), and maybe in a very very long time it will replace midi but until that point it will develop alongside it as a bonus feature. While it's essentially better in every way, the problem is the average MIDI user won't get much utility out of OSC without it being used nearly universally. So you have Hardware manufacturers that don't want to spend money implementing a standard users won't get utility out of, and then the users who won't get utility out of that standard until it's implemented almost universally by manufacturers. That's where the issue lies. I'm all for OSC, but because of this contrast it's going to be a while.

[@AnalogX1]

Am I wrong for thinking the Linnstrument is reminiscent of a budget Haken Continuum?

[@Ycros]

I mean, it's a different beast. The Continuum is like one row of a Linnstrument, but because it's significantly bigger it gives you much finer control over the Y and the pressure. The surfaces feel very different to play, the Continuum is pretty squishy/spongey.

[@2112jonr]

MPE? MIDI Polyphonic Expression, shurely Gaz? :-DD

[@FinnBaygan]

when you use 23,98 fps while recording, you dont get this flickering lights

[@sonicstate]

Sure, but our six cameras dont work at that framerate sadly

[@FinnBaygan]

oh. what a bummer.

[@AJL200]

actually i cannot see any flickering??

[@AJL200]

although I am blinking at 23.98 times per second... ;-)

[@FinnBaygan]

the LEDs of the Lynnstrument are somewhat pulsating

[@scottrogers2599]

Apple Clagnuts! Good to see they are still in production!

[@faronmclurkin1103]

I love Sonic State!

[@rain_irl6460]

gaz is such a tank

[@Wagoo]

Clagnuts! :D

[@djindustrialcomplex]

I want to jam and hang with Gaz so badly.

[@McHale72]

I'd rather jam and hang with Roger Linn, personally. :)

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

I want to have Gaz's baby even though im not a woman.

[@AJL200]

although your profile name is pretty good too

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Andy Liggins haha thanks its hard being original these days.

[@xinaesthetic]

Well, if you've been watching the news you may be aware that science may allow you to achieve your ambition; women's eggs no longer strictly necessary for procreation I understand.

[@aleatoriac7356]

He said "Strobed Out" - Gaz is AWESOME I love this guy

[@boltar2003]

Very nice. But its not an original idea - Korg brought out the Kaossilator series years ago and they were synths in their own right, not just a fancy midi input device.

[@NikoNoxious]

this comment is 100% spot on years later even

[@NikoNoxious]

Kaossilator is very different as well- but could have very well led to this

[@FinnBjerke]

Engineer fun.

[@Rachelnymetal]

Lite Brite on Acid

[@PeterPrism]

Alien stuff bro...

[@kokopelli314]

Grizzly Adams comes down from the mountain to demonstrate Multi Dimensional Polyphonic Synthesis. Welcome to the 21st Century.

[@garyweaver9222]

thank god for electric guitar

[@SPAZZOID100]

???

[@TheTinkywinky3]

wtf????

[@regplasma7906]

Nice review Gaz ,but I hate the design and workflow of the Linnstrument.This should be left on the Starship Enterprise and not in a music studio.

[@vancitycanucks]

The seaboard rise trumped this before it even came out.

[@pv6496]

GuitarPartho I'm personally not interested in either, but the Linnstrument is a completely different type of interface for control = no comparison besides they are both controllers.

[@janminor1172]

GuitarPartho sure. For people with a rubber fetish...

[@GazWilliams]

I'm not sure to be honest. I think there is room for both instruments as they take vastly different approaches.

[@janminor1172]

How is the haptics and the feeling of the linstruments' pads anyway? I only tried the seaboard once and I have to say that those squishy rubber keys really feel weird and slightly gross, imho.

[@animegirl20]

I have a Seaboard and the rubber feels great. I have had it for a year now so I'm used to it.

[@harrymerchant8944]

No Roger, a Linn Drum V2 was what people wanted you to create.

[@macalby]

Roger Linn and Dave Smith made the BoomChik, which was renamed the LinnDrum II, and then renamed again as Tempest.

[@illustriouschin]

$1,500 at walmart.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Too complicated

[@SPAZZOID100]

Met Roger Linn demoing this in NYC about a year ago. He is not the most approachable dude. I also don't see any need for this instrument. I don't think it will sell well.

[@HoosierGuy]

It looks like a instrument panel from an old Star Trek episode :) Great review GAZ!