In the realm of musical innovation, few names resonate as strongly as Roger Linn. A pioneer in music technology, Linn’s contributions have continually shaped the soundscape of modern music. He is best known for his groundbreaking creation of the LM-1, the first drum machine to utilize samples, and its successor, the LinnDrum, which has cemented its place as an iconic piece of musical history. These machines defined the sound of the 1980s, leaving a lasting impact on records by artists such as Tom Petty, Queen, and Tears for Fears. Perhaps most famously, Prince harnessed their power in crafting his monumental albums, Purple Rain and 1999.
However, Linn’s influence extends far beyond these early innovations. His collaboration with Akai led to the development of the MPC series, a line of samplers that revolutionized music production. The MPC60 and its successors became essential tools for countless hip-hop and house music producers, with J Dilla’s MPC 3000 even earning a place of honor at the Smithsonian Institution.
Linn’s forward-thinking approach is further exemplified by his early adoption of MPE, or MIDI Polyphonic Expression. This feature is central to his LinnStrument, an expressive 3D controller launched in 2014—three years ahead of the official release of the MPE standard by the Association of Musical Electronics Industry (AMEI). Linn’s ability to innovate while maintaining simplicity and focus is a testament to his enduring relevance in the music industry.
What is your most indispensable tool?
For Roger Linn, his MacBook Pro is the cornerstone of his work, an essential piece of his creative toolkit.
Which is the most underappreciated?
Despite its remarkable capabilities, Linn considers his Vision Pro to be the most incredible product he seldom uses.
What is the first app you install on a new phone or computer?
When setting up a new computer, Rhino3D is the first application Linn installs, highlighting its importance in his workflow.
What is one thing you wish you could change about your phone?
Apple Mail’s bugs.
What sites do you have pinned to your tab bar?
New York Times.
How many tabs do you have open right now?
One. This document.
Which social media platform do you use the most (if any)?
I don’t use social media except to announce my monthly “All Things LinnStrument” email newsletter.
What is your happy place online?
A VR app for the Meta Quest called Walkabout Mini Golf. It was a large number of artistically created open VR worlds that offer a surprising level of beauty from the Quest 3’s limited power. I go there to play a game of mini golf, fly around, or meet friends in a private instance of a particular world.
What is your favorite gadget you’ve ever owned?
I don’t know about “ever”, but these days it’s VR headsets, currently the Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro.
Which was the most disappointing?
In general, I’m disappointed by products that are designed by engineers who assume their customers are engineers.
What game do you have the fondest memories of?
Myst.
Which tech trend do you wish would go away?
Spam.
What creation are you most proud of?
LinnStrument.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Keep it simple.
What is your current obsession?
VR.
What do you do when you need to focus?
Breathe. Calm down.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck?
I try to shift my perspective.
When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?
I never go anywhere without my phone. Maybe swimming.
What’s the last piece of physical media you bought?
That would be a long time ago. I’ve only bought books, music, films, etc. in digital form for a long time.
What do you think is worth splurging on?
If someone made a VR headset with retina resolution, very high power, lots of beautiful open worlds, but it was expensive, I’d probably buy it.
What would the tagline for your biopic be?
“He created tools that allowed musicians to make better music.”
What’s the last GIF or meme you used?
This isn’t a GIF, but maybe it’s a meme:
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
