The Linn LM-1: The Drum Machine that changed everything

This is the story of the Linn LM-1, the world's first ever digital drum machine. Iconic and incredibly rare, you're unlikely to ever see one (only 500 ever made). One was on sale and the owner was generous enough to let me test it and film it briefly before it went.
Here's a link to the samples recorded from it: www.dropbox.com/s/6lbofq90s54...
Some credits:
The music track in it that a lot of people ask about: alexball.bandcamp.com/track/l...
Many synth posters and images taken from this amazing archive: retrosynthads.blogspot.com/
It transpires that the PAIA image I downloaded that appears for a few seconds was not (as I thought) manufacturers publicity material but actually scanned from a recent Joe Mansfield book "Beat Box". Apologies to Joe. The book is available on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/Beat-Box-Dru...
Rhythmicon audio sampled from here: • Rhythmicon demonstration
EKO ComputerRhythm audio sampled from here: • Video
Rhythm Ace audio sampled from here: • Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR...
Chamberlin Rhythmate rhythms from this library: optigan.com/shoptigan/soundwa...
Roland CR-78 samples from this library: samplesfrommars.com/products/...
LinnDrum and Linn 9000 samples from here: beatmachine.co.uk/
Some info and images from here: www.rogerlinndesign.com/past-p...
All other music composed and recorded by Alex Ball
//////////////////////////////////
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[@AlexBallMusic]

The music track heard at the end: alexball.bandcamp.com/track/linn-lm-1-synths

[@liljons6753]

How do you add effects to each...sound?

[@Taeuschkoerper]

finally. too bad its so short. thx tho

[@free2playgangwr176]

Alex, could you perhaps make it into a full song sometime? It sounds really nice

[@MrCt302]

That sounds just like the human league..

[@MrCt302]

Sounds like the human league

[@lamfy6838]

Roger Linn is not only a genius, he's one of the nicest and most humble human beings on the planet. I just got off the phone with him an hour ago. I bought a LinnStrument about a week ago and it stopped being recognized by my PC yesterday. After a few emails back and forth, he gave me his home phone number to give him a call. We tried a few things and couldn't get it working, so he's overnighting me a new one tomorrow. Now that's customer service! Then he asked me about my music making and we chatted a bit about that. Who does that these days? What an amazing guy.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Lamfy What a great story! Those big US three (Dave Smith, Tom Oberheim, Roger Linn) all seem so humble and down to earth, considering what they invented and pioneered!!

[@sneifert1968]

Lamfy Awesome story. It was cool watching him in the movie Sound City talk about making the first one. He described it as just another tool, but not a replacement for a real drummer. Drum machines for all their technology will never recreate “ feel”.

[@TransistorBased]

He's honestly just amazed someone bought one

[@skipintroux4444]

It’s a shame that Rogers work on DSI Tempest was brought to a halt with the final OS still being incomplete/buggy. That said even with its faults the Tempest is truly mind bending and flexible, equally strong as a drum machine and at the same time a 6 voice analog/digital hybrid synthesizer. It remains my favourite all time instrument.

[@tdemaq2354]

@@AlexBallMusic I would say four with Dave Rossum ;)

[@davidwynn9240]

Prince got more out of the Linn Drum Machine than anyone else in music history. It was the perfect musical marriage.

[@FoxyChariot]

Absolutely. Linn LM-1 is to Prince as Stratocaster is to Jimi

[@grantrennie]

oo oo oooh ai hahooo ooh yea ai doobeedoo doo when doves cry

[@coolnamebro]

@@Yapostadodat He didn't write for Sinead O'Connor. He was annoyed when she covered his song.

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

What’s that one that features so prominently in _1999_ ? I think he used it in severral other places as well.

[@dcarbs2979]

Stock Aitken Waterman had their fair of share Linn drums to compete with Prince

[@ABN6565]

I still can picture Prince late at night working with the Linn Drum to the wee hours of the next day.

[@devonhughes3805]

Dark VadeR and afterwards they would share a cigarette! ; )

[@dopedrums]

with a chard of glass with some coke on it and a bad bitch with red lipstick begging him to come to bed.

[@paulbaloukas90]

The Linn LM-1 is my number one favorite drum machine! I also love that Prince used it on 1999, Purple Rain etc! 💯💯💜💜

[@walshythemusician]

The LM-1 is quite possibly my favourite musical instrument. The snare, toms, clap, kick, hats and rimshot are all pure fucking magic.

[@antigen4]

Walshy the musician LM2 is better ...higher fidelity

[@Coasterdude02149]

I agree Walshy. They were and still are magic

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

Eggzactly.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

One of the most significant things to happen to music ever. Absolutely huge. These devices laid the foundation for so much of what we have now. Awesome stuff.

[@michaell.8938]

Back in 1986, I found a LinnDrum at a local music store. I talked the salesman into selling it to me for $200. Yep, $200! It was in excellent condition too. I loved that thing. I used the triggers in the back with Simmons pads also. Fun 80's stuff ensued. It was stolen from me, unfortunately. :-(

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ouch, what a thing to get stolen! Did you have it for a long time?

[@therealtony2009]

did you ever find out who stole it?

[@jimrogers7425]

Roger Linn was a recording engineer and guitarist who worked for Leon Russell. From a conversation with Roger Nichols (engineer for Steely Dan) I learned that both of them were enrolled in the same 8086 microprocessor machine coding course, both with the idea of making a drum machine. Roger Linn's samples were of Jim Keltner. A friend of mine who worked as another engineer for Leon told about the process of Roger making the first prototype and how terrible the drums sounded, so no one believed it would happen. But when it did, Leon used it extensively in his many recordings... no need to argue with, or pay a drummer again.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Very interesting. I've seen a video of Roger Nichols sequencing drum samples in a computer using bespoke software he created. He joked that inventing a new bit of technology would be quicker than getting the drums as consistent as Donald Fagen required. I hadn't heard that he studied with Roger Linn, but that makes sense. Fascinating. They seem to have both made programmable, digital drums at the same time but with Linn making a physical product out of it and Nichols making a tool for his own productions. Does that sound right?

[@jimmybuffet4970]

Jim Rogers Whoa! Some Leon information I didn’t know! I’m from Tulsa , too, so that’s saying something.

[@arturomadera4916]

Actually the samples were recorded by session drummer Art Wood.

[@rexterrocks]

I used to think it was ironic that Phil Collins had a drum machine, and that it was on his biggest hit.

[@eelcovvliet]

Im the air tonight is a roland cr-78, not a linn Mamma by genesis is a linn drum

[@Crunkboy415]

He used Rolands. What's strange is on the song "Take Me Home" he had another drummer, Chester Thompson, program the drum machines as well play regular drums.

[@D84D]

Phil was a fan of the 808

[@pullthereins]

It’s not the tool, it’s how you use it.

[@BunnychanFarabee]

@@eelcovvliet Sussudio is most definitely a LinnDrum..

[@michaelcox5166]

Oh God when I was out in L.A. you couldn't get away from this thing.

[@adamharris7775]

The LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 were heard in the song "Thieves in the Temple" (1990).

[@ianpritchard6375]

Many thanks for making the samples available. Very generous! No idea if I'll use them, but they are part of our musical DNA. Thank you!

[@dometriuschantelle-pini9456]

I have always wanted a history of the drum machine.... and now i have it. PRICELESS.

[@rommix0]

Thanks for the samples. I also recommend the Aly James Lab VPROM vst plugin. It's 40 euros but it's worth the money.

[@Huelogy]

Never knew the history behind these machines. What a guy, I can't believe people are arguing about this VS a real drummer. Music is so expressive that both are great options depending on the sound you have in mind! Great invention!

[@Coasterdude02149]

It's nothing new. A similar argument arose with the Fairlight and musicians fearing the Fairlight would put them out of business. Why pay session musicians when one could hire a Fairlight. Obviously, the fear was unfounded.

[@bcequalsBC]

I came here for the Linn LM-1 info but that drum machine history at the beginning was a nice bonus!

[@Jobobaboss]

Thanks for this amazing video. I love how you take the time to have us hear the music for our selves. I love old music stuff!

[@boywonder1444]

The LM1 was the start of the beginning and is still a great machine!!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

Great sounds and a great story. This is why Alex ball is one of my favorite music channels. fantastic upload thank you

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Woody! Right back at you.

[@joaquinodriozola4963]

good to see you here Woody. Cheers!

[@sliccricc1654]

Hi Tim :)

[@hammercanttouchthis]

Yeah this was really cool. Historical and audiological.

[@ChewyGDRP]

I've always found it fascinating how the level of technology has shaped the sound of music over the years. Great to see this mini voyage into drum machines ! Cool track at the end by the way! Listening to these samples... the intro to 'little red Corvette ' by Prince came straight to mind!

[@RustyCurtainsSound]

Just listened to your album : loved it. It's really well worked out and the humor throughout is great :) There's always a surprise in the harmony, instrumentation or the mix itself until the end that keeps me hooked !

[@AlexBallMusic]

Pablo Cortina Thank you! Glad you liked it. Was on the bucket list to do an album, so it's a bonus if anyone likes it.

[@fmontpetit]

I'm so glad I discovered your channel! I love your music and now I'm looking forward for more "educational" videos like this one! Thank you so much for the samples!

[@80ssynthfan48]

I'm staggered that you have been kind and forward-thinking enough to provide free samples. I may never get round to using them, but appreciate the gesture as much as everyone else here.

[@rockydurand503]

The most loving and genuine tribute to the LM-1 I’ve seen on KZbin 💖💾

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. It's a deserving machine.

[@cvvv6166]

Linn LM-1 = Prince & the Revolution ! 🎼😎👌

[@jonathanredman8497]

Another great Alex Ball documentary. Really enjoyed and thanks for the bonus sample link.

[@amrkoptan4041]

Alex this is an amazing work, thank you for putting this all in one video !!

[@YnnonTal]

Great video, I enjoyed the 80's vibe with all those legendary synths

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ynnon Tal Thank you, glad you enjoyed.

[@dnch]

best snare ever

[@morten1]

I always loved the kick too

[@hardcorehouse]

Those were some of its best sounds. Owner of both, I’d say the Oberheims were just as good on many sounds, just different.

[@cnfuzz]

its because it has an error and the start transient is missing from the sample , when you tune it low it has more energy that the kickdrum :)

[@Jellybeantiger]

After the Ludwig Black Beauty.

[@sweetvioletstar]

I don't know a lot about music,or studio sound equipment, but I'm a Prince fan,and I've been going through interviews with various band members and sound engineers who worked with him,and they kept mentioning this Linn drum machine- I became curious and started searching for details- thanks so much for the musical history lesson!😊 It was interesting to learn about this.

[@2disbetter]

Super well done. I really enjoyed it. Especially the closing credits track at the end. Just great!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks very much!

[@JeffoftheShout]

Thank you so much for the free samples pack! You have no idea how much this means to me! 😃👍🏼

[@Seeattle]

whenever i see this drum machine i automatically think "prince". Awesome video

[@ke0kie]

lovely compositions with excellent taste, I'll absolutely enjoy listening to your work on spotify, keep it up!!

[@joebrown6112]

I love the crazy ass prerecorded drums on the Chamberlain rhythmate

[@EspenKraft]

Finally got around to watch this. Excellent video Alex! Entertaining and educational, great cuts, smooth voice and I REALLY love the outro tune as well. Congrats my friend!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Espen, much appreciated! I've possibly got access to some other "holy grail" synths / drum machines from the 80s soon. Should get some good material from that.

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

Prince owns that entire Linn drum sound......

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, totally. He was probably most creative with it.

[@brothacharlesward8]

True

[@luketzuiio9897]

No Phil collins

[@hardcorehouse]

Can’t agree, ‘cause the Linn and Oberheim owned most of popular music early to mid 80s. He was one of the first to use it because he was one of the first to be able to afford it. The Linn sound really took off due to the Linndrum, which sounds as good or better, was cheaper, easier to use, portable, etc.

[@annother3350]

Prince would have copyrighted it if he could

[@earlward6374]

The music track you made with the Linn is incredible. I think I speak for everyone that we would like a whole 4 or 5 min song with a bridge and breakdown stuff.

[@MikeHancho663]

Thanks so much for the download! Keeping the legacy alive for the next generation

[@AlbertoMartinezDelRio]

Probably the best review of the Linn. Thanks.

[@c.c.7687]

That music at the end does something I once thought would be impossible - it makes me want to go back to the 80's. Bravo to the conjuring devil who accomplished that.

[@Coasterdude02149]

😂 I've wanted to go back to the 80's since January 1, 1990.

[@louisadams2459]

Thanks for the samples great video and its good to know the history of music i have got an mpc x and i never would of thought it had some relation from the Lin drum machine of that the owner helped to create the mpc series

[@rcfamwow]

Dude thanks so much for taking the time to make this incredible videos! They are so informative and entertaining! Thanks for having such a cool mentality about sharing knowledge! You are my favorite KZbin channel!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! Nice to hear.

[@RobertoGinsburg]

A legend! the Linn LM-1 also was used by *Falco* on their first great debut "Der Kommisaar/ Junge Romer" , *ABC* on "The Look Of Love" , *Malcolm McLaren* on Hip-Hop tracks on their "Duck Rock Album".

[@forgottengrooves6073]

Rose Royce also used it on Love Don't Live Here Anymore.

[@georgehollis4133]

Very cool history lesson I didn’t realise drum machine went that far back in time Great video mate👍

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, same with synths. It starts decades and decades before the point that most assume it did. Was interesting to look it up.

[@StanleyKubick1]

and 4 years later, the link is still live. thank you

[@TheWorld_2099]

That was an excellent documentary! You really brought the era to life. Thank you!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Another trick the LM-1 had up its sleeve. Roger Linn really eked everything from the tiny memory chips: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maqpdKxmecuZkMU

[@DarrenGlen]

daym man thanks for this link! this variation in each sample means EVERYTHING to the ear...makes it more "alive". Explains a LOTTTT

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep! Very clever. Should be possible to copy the envelope technique in a DAW. Here's the same thing demonstrated on the SCI Drum Traks: www.nattvard.com/cmi/how-the-hihat-in-sci-drumtraks-works/

[@Nocatsmusic]

the LM-1 sounds are FAT, I don't know how, but they are very substantial sounding compared to the others

[@AlexBallMusic]

As well as the raw recordings and the crunch from the low sample rate and bit rates, the companding also contributes to that. If you want to get very nerdy: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companding

[@Nocatsmusic]

Thanks that was new to me. I thought that lower bit rates were higher noise, I'm doing more searching on this. I have an old sp505 that makes my samples sound better than recording them in a DAW, they seem compressed or processed and shiny, fat. I don't know what's going on in the process. It's like I'd rather do all my recoding in the 505 rather than any DAW since it makes it sound finished, or mastered. I seems counter intuitive to say that lower bit rate makes a sound more full when higher bit rates are supposed to be superior, unless it's the compression or companding in which the sound is being processed, and processed better than any of my own compressor units can achieve.

[@adamharris7775]

The Linn LM-1 and Oberheim DMX are/were heard in the 1986 IVE (now Artisan Entertainment) theme.

[@donaldcorbet6877]

Well done! It brought me back to my early days of wanting to have my own 'home studio'.

[@AlexBallMusic]

And now home studios are easy to setup and all these sounds are just a download away!

[@wizzie65]

Great machine, great video. Thanks for the samples Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

wizzie65 Thanks. Enjoy the samples.

[@dicrylium-2868]

These are quality samples!! Thank you!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Enjoy!

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

I had one. Sold it and have regretted it ever since.

[@asiullopes]

these documentaries are absolutely wonderful!!! e MUITO obrigada pelos samples!

[@goldlinranjit]

I loved your album. Especially 🏠 home & get your 💖 through the 📻. Listening to them in midnight again and again. Just beautiful & perfect.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Good to hear.

[@Magnus_Loov]

But apparently it didn't have a crash cymbal, which the Oberheim DMX got in 1981. A big plus for the DMX! But the sound otherwise is fatter on the Linn!

[@titovalasques]

My favourite drum machine of all time! :) RIP Pince!

[@aftershock2013]

Thanks for the awesome video and the awesome samples; absolutely astonished your channel isn't more popular! Defo earned my sub; was engrossed throughout.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subscribing!

[@nRGmusicproduction]

Amazing video and what a gift from you! You are the best Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Enjoy!

[@bertvdlast]

A trip down memory lane. I had the JX3P and the Pro One. Still have the MS20. Also had the SQ10.😍

[@AlexBallMusic]

Great synths. The Pro-One is pretty special, just sounds great on everything and dead easy to use. MS20 has a real character, it's just weirder to get your head around. Mine is the mark 1 with the type 35 filter, so it screams in an awesome way. Is yours the mark 1? SQ10 - wow, the original sequencing beast! Love the look of those. The guy I bought the MS20 from was also selling an MS50 which I understand are quite rare. Think those two worked together as a sequencer / modular combo?

[@neilfoodguy8667]

What’s the difference between a drummer and a drum machine ? You only have to punch the information into a drum machine once.

[@AlexBallMusic]

And no dribble to clean up.

[@Username_Invalid]

A drummer has soul, vibe, and swagger. A drum machine does not.

[@MacXpert74]

A drum machine *CAN* keep a steady beat. ;)

[@wes4439]

@@Username_Invalid A drummer has soul, vibe, swagger......and drugs. Don't forget drugs :)

[@johnparr347yrsand2]

The old ones are the best

[@brewandthecrew]

I love your documentaries! Please don't stop!

[@nebstaism]

Lm1 I love the sound of it so much.... I wish I owned one

[@DrRussPhd]

Thank god we had those old drum machines . . we never would've had the band Wall of Voodoo.

[@rommix0]

They sure did rely a lot on those analog ones, especially for Mexican Radio.

[@CKT1138]

It's absolutely INSANE how much Wall of Voodoo got out of the Rhythm Ace and other accompaniment style rhythm boxes!

[@lobitome]

Mexican Radio is still one of my faves from back then.

[@analogmatthew]

Wow! This is so well done. You deserve a 100,000 subscribers. Fantastic. 🎹👏

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you.

[@JonKelly]

Thanks, Alex. I liked your chords so much in the demo at the end and made a small study of the arrangement on my synths :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks, glad you like them. Just the usual 80s sound, sus2 and sus4 all day.

[@PanDownTiltLeft]

I interviewed with Roger in the early 80s to write new Firmware for a new drum machine that would be the successor to the LM one. Sadly that project never took off. Roger was extremely nice and I had a nice long look at the source code for the 6502 firmware in the LM one when I was at his house. He wrote some very nice tight code.

[@TrainmasterCurt]

Human League - Don’t You Want Me (1981) most famous song that uses the Linn

[@pioneertech-w5o]

Nope, that would be "Thriller".

[@SeVinKru3ger]

I love that Prince (Clap), those sounds are too dope..... I need it.

[@rommix0]

The low pitched sidestick also sells the "prince" sound too.

[@SeVinKru3ger]

Yessss.

[@RobertoGinsburg]

TriL TV Prince was knowed by the *detuned Rimshot sound* , that made sound like hit a wood table.

[@paulbaloukas90]

@@RobertoGinsburg more like someone knocking on a door lol

[@glenesis]

Great history of drum machines. Thanks for this excellent work. Liked/subbed/sharing ;) Thanks very much for the killer links and samples as well. Cheers!

[@joevittali-ross1871]

🙏 Your videos are so great Alex. Thanks for making such informative and interesting content.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Joe Vittali-Ross Thanks Joe! Glad you liked it.

[@adamharris7775]

The Roland TR-808 cowbells, Roland TR-808 claps and Linn LM-1 are/were heard in the song How Will I Know (1985) and I Wanna Dance with Somebody (1987).

[@petez470]

Oh, that 80's "drum-hit"

[@djobnoxious6407]

Thank you so much for the pretty samples.

[@responsibleparty]

That's amazing that you have audio of those old devices.

[@annother3350]

I used to have an oberheim prommer and program my own eprom drum samples for a Drumtraks -- but you can put the same eproms in this machine. One thing the documentary misses out is that all the sounds are changeable by replacing the eprom chips with ones that contain different samples. Sorry, the rest was great!

[@Peat030]

He said that the chips are removeabke

[@DaveLennonCopeland]

Haha, love this... My first drum machine was the Boss DR 55, Dr Rhythm.

[@rodmorrison47]

Same here! I've still got mine, and it still works. :-)

[@mattzart]

My all time favorite drum machine. I've used it in some way or another in every one of my pieces with percussion.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Mattzart Still very usuable sounds. Love them.

[@sisterzzbro4215]

Good job! And thank you for the link to the samples!

[@bastiaanw3519]

How weird that I hear about the Linn 9000 only now! I must lived under a stone... Thanks for the video. Well done and very informative.

[@AlexBallMusic]

The Linn 9000 is probably the best sounding one! "You spin me round" by Dead or Alive is Linn 9000. Stock Aitkin and Waterman used it to death.

[@bastiaanw3519]

Alex Ball Sometimes best sounding is not what you'll be after 😉

[@AlexBallMusic]

Very true. The LM-1 tuned low sounds awesome. But the fidelity is laughable. Have you downloaded the samples? Listen to the lowest clap!

[@bastiaanw3519]

Alex Ball Downloaded the samples, nice set, put them in Live right away. Err, yeah, that lowest clap. Is this a challenge in finding ways to use it musically...? 😉

[@RodneyD]

No bro.. hip hop producers of the 80’s & 90’s use to make reference to the linn drum in their songs.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for the samples!

[@AlexBallMusic]

You're welcome.

[@HazeAnderson]

OMG what an easter egg. :D Thank you!

[@beatles7798]

Thanks, Alex, was about to write the same

[@1Surinamer]

This was a great short lesson for me. Good mini docu. Danke! 👍

[@stephenlennartz3466]

Awesome video. A story well told. Love it! Thanks for sharing.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Stephen.

[@elweinhoffer]

1:49 Last Living Souls :D

[@guitarmaniac004]

ARE WE THE LAST... LIVING SOULS?

[@ghostshadownova3266]

Im glad I wasn't the only one

[@kahlilsmith5243]

Thanks for the Samples!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Enjoy!

[@charlescharamba1976]

Brother Smith, I used to access this machine at a studio. Kindly assist with knowledge on how I can make use of the samples

[@kahlilsmith5243]

Are you using a DAW or a hardware based sampler?

[@charlescharamba1976]

DAW sir

[@dosgos]

Fantastic history of the drum machine. Well researched and entertaining to boot. This is not far from television quality production. . .

[@AlexBallMusic]

dos gos Thanks!

[@stevenparry83]

Thank you so much for the samples! 🙏😀

[@steveshimko4064]

Like the song at the end!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks: alexball.bandcamp.com/track/linn-lm-1-synths

[@vinesthemonkey]

3:34 love it

[@YotamPiano]

Man, you're such an inspiring artist and content creator. Every single vid is genius. U should get 10000000 views but I don't know why you don't get them. You definitely have my support my friend!!! and thank you so much for the videos and the samples, you're the best!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Yotam! Kind if you. Enjoy the samples.

[@M3urs]

Amazing content, amazing informations, amazing track and amazing value overall! Many thanks

[@bobheatliesongs]

Oh man, the memories! I had the LM1 and the Linn9000, which was always crashing. And now you can get better sounding drums on your iPhone....for a few quid! Oh well.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Bob Heatlie Oh wow! Do you remember which serial number you had? The early ones were all made by Linn himself and are all different. Then he farmed out the manufacturing and they became more uniform. Linn 9000 - I have the samples, which are probably the best of all the machines but heard it was really unreliable. Think that can be fixed nowadays with a software / firmware upgrade. Assume you sold them long ago?

[@bobheatliesongs]

Alex Ball I don’t have the serial number of the LM1, but I bought it in 1981, and sold it to the guy from The Cocteau Twins, he was a collector of defunct musical technology. And don’t you dare tell me that they’re worth £10,000 now! Like you did with my sold keyboards! 😜 The Linn9000 was a nightmare, and it was back and forth from Edinburgh to London many times, but it never got sorted. The nail in the coffin was, I was programming backing tracks for a top artiste in Hungary that I was producing. I worked late into the night to finish the last track (I was flying there the next day) and it crashed! I tried load it up again, and discovered that all the tracks for the album had gone! So I went to the studio with nothing! I had to start all over again. Believe it or not, I ended up throwing it into a skip! And don’t tell me that it’s.......😡 Anyway, thanks for taking the time to produce these videos. Very informative, and most enjoyable to watch. 👍

[@AlexBallMusic]

Was that Robin Guthrie? He talks about using an LM-1 and it must be the one you sold him! Linn 9000 - oh boy, that sounds bad! What did you do? Just start again and it took longer to record? The LM-1 sells for what it cost originally in 1980! And I saw a 9000 for £850 or so a while back. You can fix the software gremlins nowadays, so no more 9000s in skips!

[@bobheatliesongs]

Alex Ball Probably was Mr Guthrie, I sold it to him through a friend who had a studio that he recorded in. And your second question. I had to stay behind after the day’s recording, in order to program the song for the following day’s work. Usually finishing late in the evening. Not a happy time, as all Jolly nights out on the town had to be cancelled! Grr!

[@ChristianIce]

Bob Heatlie Better? Not really. Higher quality, for sure, but sometimes the low bit samples have a character that would be lost otherwise. Just think at the samples in the Terminator 2 soundtrack. If you cover the song with modern and clean sounds, it just sounds flat in comparison.

[@FIXTREME]

The CR-78 sounds like something Hall and Oats would have used on some songs

[@jamesbarton894]

FIXTREME I can’t go for that. My imagination. Those are two of the songs that uses the CR 78.

[@djmips]

And Phil Collins - in the air tonight - uses a preset.

[@buickmonte]

Awww man...the outro jam at the end is kick ass,the sound takes me back to my teen years,lol!!!

[@ToreHansen]

Thanks for a very cool video, and the LM-1 is mentioned many times on a YT series about Paisley Park and Prince from the people which worked there...

[@DaveG207]

Absolutely brilliant. I didn’t know most of the history of the drum machine, genuinely educated :)

[@DaveG207]

I was listening to this the other day, something about your outro feels similar kzbin.info/www/bejne/amjXZ4CVd7Cmr5I

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah Steve Winwood! His voice is something else. Funnily enough, Winwood definitely owned an LM-1. In fact I know of the guy who bought it from him when he sold it years later.

[@momtnz]

If you want to know more about drum machine history either by JOE MANSFIELD'S book Beatbox A Drum Machine Obsession, Or ALEX GRAHAM's RHYTHM MACHINE books or DRUMFAX series - all on Drum Machines 1950-2018 and on Amazon. These are probably the sources from where much of this information no doubt came, some of the images are JOE MANSFIELD's....

[@TenThumbsProductions]

Let me get more cowbell! (Great video!)

[@carstenaltena]

Why you don't have a million subs yet is beyond me. Great video!

[@YUSSEB8E]

How your channel doesn’t have more subscribers , I’ll never know. Great as always

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Glad you liked the video.