Vlinn 2.0 Linn Lm 1 Drum Machine

Linn Lm-1 Drum Computer
Lm-1 Drum Machine
Linn Lm-1 Drum Machine Vst
Blinn 2.0 Linn Lm 1 Drum Machine Plugin
Linn Lm 1 Drum Machine

The developer goes to great lengths to explain why VLinn LM-1 offers the 'closest experience to the real thing' on the Aly James Lab website, where you can also order it. VLinn LM-1 Drums is donationware, with the minimum payment being €15. 64-bit and OS X versions are scheduled for 2015. Like Hendrix and his Strat, Prince found his voice in one particular machine, the Linn LM-1. It was his most recognizable sound throughout the 1980s. He had several LM-1s, I saw at least 5. They had modifications, such as a Cymbal sample accessed by a mini toggle on the front. There were also trigger inputs on the units he took on tour.

Image from a LM-1 ad courtesy of Benjamin Ward. The LM-1, Roger Linn's first commercial drum machine, was the first programmable drum machine to feature sampled sounds. It featured 'twelve 8-bit samples (kick, snare, hi-hat, cabassa, tambourine, 2 toms, 2 congas, cowbell, clave, and handclap).
VLinn updated to 2.0 Aly James has released VLinn VST version 2, VLinn is designed to be an accurate software recreation of the legendary Linn LM-1 drum machine. Version 2.0 now includes native 32-bit and 64-bit plugin format, VST2, VST3 and AU for Mac and Windows, workflow enhancements.

Here it is my VLINN LM1 DRUMS VST is out :)
The Linn was THE killer drum machine in town back in the 80's.

Linn Drum LM-2 Drum Machine Overview Here’s a modern intro video, via perfectcircuitaudio, to the vintage (1982) Linn Drum LM-2 drum machine. The Linn Drum LM-2, designed by Roger Linn, is a sample-based drum machine, which allowed it to sound much more realistic than other drum machines of the time.

It was also the first that include real drum samples! The Linn LM-1 Drum Computer was created by Roger Linn. He used samples of acoustic drum sounds recorded on the fly with some basic hardware. The fact that they were recorded raw with a custom made ADC makes them cut better in a mix than anything available at the time, they sounded so great that they become an alternative to the analog drum sounds of the 80's drum machines.. to this day the unique sound of that machine is highly regarded and only using samples of an LM-1 output cannot reproduce the wide range of sounds this machine can produce. The DAC in use in here and he whole circuitry stands next to the samples characters in that unique sounding team.

The LM-1 is an historical piece of gear that has a place in the sound of the 80's era. Only around 500 of these things are out there so don't count on finding a working one easily or for cheap. It has been used by major acts like: Prince, Phil Collins, Thompson Twins, Stevie Wonder, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, John Carpenter, Todd Rundgren,The Art of Noise... The Machine was made by a musician for musicians and I tried to stick to that standard :) So as there were no accurate VST for that legend out there...

I had to make the VLINN!

The VLINN LM-1 DRUM VST provides the closest experience to the real thing because it is not based on samples, instead it accurately models the clocks and counters that reads EPROMS memory feeding the AM6070 DACs to decode the EPROMS data in realtime, models the CEM 3320 filters with tweakable control over the CV pulses shapes to let more or less transient pass through unfiltered or completely bypass them, special hihat circuitry and VCA providing different hihat sound on each trigger and decay control, separate tuning for all voices with already a wider range without tweaking the electronics...separate outputs for your DAW, velocity handling etc...You will maintain that raw sound at every tune! On top of the cake 7+1 voices can be replaced with external EPROM data like on a real machine...Opening up a whole new range of sound, still being processed by the circuitry.

You can get it and find all the details here http://www.alyjameslab.com/alyjameslabvlinn.html

Full Review from Learn Digital Audio: http://www.learndigitalaudio.com/blog/aly-james-labs-vlinn-vst-review-lm-1-linndrum-samples-vs-emulation

The VLINN use DAC AM6070 emulation to decode the EPROMS content in real time, a specialized DAC back in the days that was able to encode/decode µ-Law companded data. A form of compression enabling a 12bit range out of 8bit storage.

OPAMP bandwidth little high loss had been removed from the VLINN emulation, this is a design choice I have made as it improves slightly CPU performances without, you can get rid of the extra top end if needed with a few Db roll off but this is useless, take in account that Linn LM1's were usually processed to console channel strips with EQ etc...

Also please check the website and VLINN manual for explanation on the internal 48 PPQN resolution of the LM1 sequencer and why it influences the groove.

The VLINN use the exact AM6070 DAC data decoding scheme.

I was very excited when I heard that Aly James had just finished his version 2 of the Vlinn Linn LM-1 VST drum machine emulator. I did a comprehensive review of Vlinn version 1 a while ago, if you have not already watched that video I strongly suggest you do so before watching this one.

In this video I am going to concentrate on what the new features are in version 2 and how it differs from version 1.

Vlinn 2 Is Now Multi-Format and 64 Bit Compatible

The main and most important upgrade is that it is completely re-written to be compatible with multiple plugin formats and 64 bit systems. It is now available for Mac and PC in VST2, 3 and AudioUnit format.

Vlinn 2 is now written using Oli Larkin’s respected IPlug framework. Version 1 was made in SynthEdit with added custom code, a lot like Variety Of Sound’s free plugins. Many people will be very happy it is now 64 bit. Even though there is no performance improvement, some DAW’s 32 to 64 bit bridging can be problematic.

Comparing the GUI’s

Let’s get right in and compare version 1 and 2 side by side and explore the new features.

On the top we have version 1, and on the bottom version 2. They look very similar, but version 2 has a cool circuit graphic (top right) for your viewing pleasure.

Linn Lm-1 Drum Computer

vLinn v2.0

GUI Interface Usability Improvements

There are improvements in the way that you can interact with the GUI.

Double click resets values to default settings. This is particularly useful with the tuning as you often want to return to a more sensible pitch after experimenting with some crazy ones.
Alt click enables you to enter values precisely with the keyboard.
Ctrl drag enables precise control over the knobs and sliders, which is the same as in version 1.

New panning control

The TUNE control can now be clicked and turned into a PAN control. This is very handy if you are not running the plugin in multiple output mode as it enables you to make a full stereo mix from right within the plugin.

Additional Stock Custom Voice

The original Linndrum was famous for having feeling and groove. One reason for this was that the stock snare drum had a little empty space before the sample causing it to sound slightly late. This meant that it had a laid back feel to it.

In the Vlinn version 2 there is now an additional custom voice that is named EXTRA. This has a copy of the stock snare WITHOUT this delay. This enables you to quickly program drum patterns that do not have the laid back snare sound without having to modify your MIDI. The original delay on the snare also got longer as you tuned the sample lower, so the new version is even more welcome in these situations.

New Velocity Modes

The velocity modes change the way the Vlinn reacts to how hard you hit your velocity sensitive keyboard or electronic drum kit. It also changes the way it reacts to programmed velocity inside your DAW.

Version 1 had only 2 velocity response modes, ORIGINAL and FULL.

ORIGINAL emulates the hardware in having only 2 velocity layers. So if you hit your keyboard/electronic drum kit very hard you get the loudest drum sound, anything under that you get the softer sound. It is playing the exact same sound, only at a lower or higher volume. FULL makes the Vlinn fully velocity responsive, unlike the original hardware instrument.

Version 2 add FULL LIN and FULL EXP modes. These are full velocity responsive modes, but they react in either a linear or exponential way. These are just technical terms that relate to how the Vlinn responds to how hard you play your controller. You may have come across these exact same terms in your MIDI controllers manual. The diagram shows what they mean, but you will need to play the instrument to discover the feel.

MIDI Pitch Bend for Global Tuning

Now you can use MIDI pitch bend to globally transpose the entire drum kit. This is really cool for live performance.

Improved EPROM Loading and Management

What the hell is an EPROM you may be asking? An EPROM is a special type of memory chip that retains its contents until it is exposed to ultraviolet light, it stands for erasable programmable read only memory. It is where the drum samples were stored on the old hardware.

Lm-1 Drum Machine

As you know, the Vlinn 1 and 2 can both load the EPROMS from compatible drum machines. Now in version 2 all of the EPROMS can be replaced instead of only 7 of them. Also you don’t need to worry about the size of them when loading anymore, this is taken care of automatically now.

We also have a nicer layout and improved graphics on the page along with a handy UNLOAD CUSTOM EPROMS button to reset back to the stock sounds.

What Has Happened to the Electron Gate Linn EPROMS?

The Vlinn has the LM-1 EPROMS built in, but wouldn’t it be nice to have the LM-2 and Linn 9000 sounds too? That was totally possible if you downloaded the EPROMS and loaded them in.

Recently there has been a take down on the Linn EPROMS that have always been freely available from the electrongate website. If you go to the old download page now you get:

“The Linn drum samples have been removed from this web site at the request of the copyright holder. Please contact Forat Electronics for your Linn sound EPROM needs.“

Forat Electronics now seem to own the copyright for these ROMS. I assume they don’t want people burning their own and selling them on Ebay cutting into their business.

The Return of the Linn LM-2 and 9000 EPROMS!

Well, of course this copyright shouldn’t really apply to the samples in another format, after all the web is full of free samples taken from the LM-2 and 9000.

Here is an anonymously supplied bank in .fxb format that will work only in the Vlinn 2 :). It features not only the missing Linn EPROMS but all the classic drum machines that are compatible with the Vlinn ready to go!

Oberheim DMX
Oberheim DX
LinnDrum LM-2
SCI Drumtracks
Linn9000
Aly James Custom Kit 01
Linn LM-1 early revision

The other machines will of course sound like they were played through LM-1 hardware, but that is not a bad thing for lovers of 8 bit retro drums.

Forat Electronics

(CC) Breaking Bad Screening Lab in Hollywood by Doug Kline

If you are reading Forat Electronics, the EPROM format is embedded into another DATA format inside the bank. It is unusable “as is” to write onto hardware EPROMs. If you demand a take down I will of course comply, but it would be a real shame for users of this software. Really hope you guys are groovy with this.

Conclusion

This is a great update. For many people it will be the first time they get to use the plugin as it was only PC VST 32bit in the past. I can’t really think of anything important it is missing now and encountered no bugs or problems during testing.

If there was one killer feature that could be added in the future it would be tuning the kick drums automatically to note names. There is much debate on if this is overkill, but I have found it is a fantastic technique to get the bass and kick to gel.

There are of course many free and paid for drum samples out there that provide these sounds, but as we spoke about in the original review, they can’t provide the special tuning and filtering that the Vlinn provides.

What is missing from these raw Vlinn sounds that the sample libraries may have included is outboard processing to make them sound like the records we probably want to emulate the sound of. I think that half the fun is doing that yourself and in the process making your own sound. Running the drum bus out through an old consumer cassette deck should get you very close to the 80’s sound indeed, there maybe one lurking in your attic right now!

Linn Lm-1 Drum Machine Vst

Vlinn’s GUI and features offer plenty of opportunity to experiment and play about with the drum sounds that sample libraries don’t provide. It is easy to set-up multiple outs from your DAW and process each sound individually. It really is a much more fun experience than using samples, and that is what it should be about!

UPDATE: Kirkwood West has created a VLinn Drum Rack for Ableton Live users to take advantage of. It sets up the VST on a Drum Rack by mapping each pad to a specific drum pad.

Blinn 2.0 Linn Lm 1 Drum Machine Plugin

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Linn Lm 1 Drum Machine

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