Linn LM-1 Drum Computer Brian Wilson

Linn LM-1 Drum Computer for sale. Photos here show another unit. The one we currently have is an early version with engraved buttons that belonged to Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. We bought it from one of his collaborators several years ago. 

This unit has been fully disassembled, cleaned inside and out, meticulously overhauled and working like new again.

Since this particular LM1 is a piece of pop music history, we will only sell it if we get a crazy offer we can't refuse. If we don't, we hope to make it available as part of a public access synth studio here in NYC. 

The LM1 is the first digital drum machine to incorporate samples of actual drum sounds.  But don't let that fool you - sampling technology was pretty primitive back then, so the sounds this thing makes are a lot more electronic sounding than an acoustic drum kit.  The Linn has some serious character!  Plus, you've got pitch control over all it's sounds, so you can turn a snare into an explosion for instance ;). 

The sampled drum sounds are each stored on small EPROM chips.  If you have the right EPROM burner and replacement EPROMs you can sample your own sounds or copy existing sounds onto chips that can be installed in this machine.  

If you know the most popular early 80s Prince songs, you've heard the LM1.  It was also reportedly used by many other early 80s musicians, like Human League, Jarre, Visage, Falco, Thompson Twins, Queen, OMD, Heaven 17, Phil Collins and Art of Noise, among others.  

The quantization section offers a great shuffle mode to humanize programmed rhythms and give it variable swing.  There are faders and pan switches for each sound.  This piece is not only a great piece of electronic music history, it's also an incredible sounding box.

Estimated preparation time: 3-10 weeks