LinnDrum Midistudio

LinnDrum Midistudio
LinnDrum Midistudio integrated digital drum machine and MIDI keyboard recorder.
Manufacturer	Linn Electronics
Dates	1986
Price	US $5,990
Technical specifications
Polyphony	polyphonic 13 voices
Timbrality	multitimbral 16 voices
Synthesis type	8 bit Digital Samples / 10 kHz - 50kHz
Storage memory	50 Drum Sequences, 50 MIDI Sequences - 10,490 notes
Effects	Individual level, pan, tuning for all sounds
Input/output
Keyboard	16 large (1.25 inch square) velocity and pressure sensitive rubber pads
External control	MIDI In/Out/Thru, Foot Switch x2, Foot Controller x1 (hi-hat), Sync Tone In/Out, trigger outputs x2, trigger inputs x16

The LinnDrum Midistudio (also known as the Midistudio) was going to be an electronic musical instrument produced by Linn Electronics as the successor to the ill-fated Linn 9000, which was an integrated digital sampling drum machine and MIDI sequencer. The Midistudio is essentially a rack-mount version of the Linn 9000 with some improvements. It was revealed at the 1986 Winter NAMM Show in January for a list price of $5,990. However, it never went into production because Linn Electronics went out of business in February 1986.

Apparently, one prototype is in existence and was placed up for auction in 2008.

The LinnDrum Midistudio and the LinnSequencer used the same flawed operating system used in the ill-fated Linn 9000, released in 1984. Chronic software bugs led to a reputation for unreliability and contributed to the eventual demise of Linn Electronics.

The similarities between the LinnDrum Midistudio and the Akai MPC series, starting with the Akai MPC60, leads many to perceive a family resemblance. From a strictly chronological standpoint, the LinnDrum Midistudio did come after the Linn 9000 and before the Akai MPC60 and might well be called a step in the evolution of the Music Production Centers of today.

At the time of writing (2015), many products, mostly software, bear the name "Midistudio". But in 1986, the LinnDrum Midistudio was, perhaps, one of the very first to brandish that moniker.