Behringer releases Lm Drum, clone of Roger Linn's legendary LinnDrum drum machine

Behringer has released the Lm Drum, a clone/replica of Roger Linn’s legendary LinnDrum drum machine with extra features.

Behringer took some time to release the second video of the new LM Drum drum machine (LinnDrum clone). The second is a walkthrough of the interface, sound engine, etc.

It’s also interesting that some people have said they received a notification from Thomann that their units had been shipped. So, the first small batch is on its way to the early pre-orders. For everyone else, this means waiting. If you pre-order today, it will take several months.

Update From December 18, 2024

Ready for pre-order at Thomann for 398€

Today is probably International LinnDrum Day. GForce Software has released IconDrum, a LinnDrum plugin for your DAW, but there one more. Behringer has also released its hardware Lm Drum, and it is ready for shipping.

As always, the release means the product is ready in the Behringer factory in China, and the dealer can import it. However, depending on the shipping method, a release for the customer still takes weeks or months.

Behringer Lm Drum

Lm Drum is a new 8/12-bit drum machine. Moreover, it’s an authentic clone/replica of Roger Linn’s legendary LinnDrum drum machines from the 80s. According to Behringer, it’s a hybrid device with analog circuitry, including an analog filter and VCA for unsurpassed warmth.

Behringer Lm Drum offers a 16-voice architecture with independent level and pan controls for each voice right on the user interface.

Like the original unit, the sound sources are samples. It ships with 109 authentic drum sounds from the LinnDrum LM1*, LM2*, LM9000*, and other iconic 1980s drums. The asterisk informs you that Roger Linn owns the rights to the sounds, and there is no official partnership.

The new Lm Drum drum machine is more than just a LinnDrum sound module—it is also a sampling device.

Sampling Device

The back has a line input, allowing you to record sounds into the machine. 16 DACs with variable sample rates and authentic 8/12-bit resolution give your recordings the crispness and character of the original unit.

Then, you can shape them using the integrated FX bus, which features the Wave Designer and a dual-mode 3320 analog filter with per-voice assignments. The signal then goes into the analog 2164-based VCA section.

The Behringer Lm Drums can be played manually with 16 velocity-sensitive drum pads with aftertouch support or via the built-in sequencer. The latter has 64 steps and supports polymeter, step-repeat, note-repeat, real-time triggering, track mute, and track solo.

There are also pattern and song modes with the unique auto-scroll feature. The sequencer also has parameter automation, including the analog cutoff filter, for additional creativity. That’s not all, the sequencer also hosts features like swing, probability, flam, and random, controllable with a hardware encoder.

Once your jam is done, you can store up to eight songs and 128 patterns in the hardware. You can import/export all of them during playback for unlimited songs and patterns.

Connectivity

The backside is huge. The Behringer Lm Drum’s highlight is its 16 independent analog outputs, which can be used to further process individual sounds or create easily multi-track audio. Next to this are a stereo output and a headphone socket, a line input, three trigger inputs, and a sync input and output.

Further, you get a full MIDI interface (In/Out/Thru) for synchronization and connection to external devices, as well as a USB port.

The user interface has tons of sliders, buttons, and knobs that make the device hands-on. The 128×64 LCD graphic display is neat, but the visuals are very reminiscent of Elektron.

First Impression

It looks very promising for the asking price. The feature set seems very good, and I’m excited to see how close the device comes to the original.

The Behringer Lm Drum is available now from the factory for $399. Depending on the shipping method, it will arrive at retailers in a few weeks or months. I estimate it will be in early 2025.

Available for pre-order at my partners

Thomann

Gear4music UK

Update From October 23, 2024

The LmDrum has been in production since August. Now Patrick, aka Patch Dog, who makes the videos on the Behringer channel, has uploaded a first unboxing of the LmDrum on his own channel.

You can also see the new Behringer packaging made of recycled cardboard which now bears Uli Behringer’s signature inside the lid. So, the release should be imminent.

Update From August 29, 2024

In the summer of 2021, more precisely in June, Behringer announced for the first time the LMDrum, a clone/replica of the legendary Roger Linn LinnDrum drum machine.

According to new images, the LmDrum is now in production. This is shown by the pictures from the factory posted on social media. But it could also just be a test run with beta units. Behringer doesn’t say this, only: “We’re almost there…”.

However, the official features are still missing.

Article From 17, 2024

In 2019 Behringer published a video in which Patrick made a jam with the legendary LinnDrum drum machine. The first teaser on a possible LinnDrum clone was there. When asked about this, Behringer denied the rumors.

Today, the situation looks very different, too. Two years after this “disco” video, Uli Behringer and his team show us the first prototype of the new Lm Drum, a clone of the LinnDrum.

It is immediately noticeable that the same format is used as the RD-8 and RD-9. As a reminder, the original LinnDrum featured 8-bit 28 kHz ~ 35 kHz digitally sampled drum sounds: bass drum, snare, side-stick snare, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, three tom-toms, cabasa, tambourine, high and low congas, cowbell, and hand-claps. All driven by a built-in sequencer.

You could also load new sounds with the help of EPROM chips in the new original LinnDrum. Very cumbersome, especially for today. So Behringer will certainly offer a much easier way to import samples. This is also indicated by the note “sampling drum machine” that is given in this teaser. It becomes more interesting how B. solves with the original samples. These are copy-protected and cannot be sold just like that.

Behringer Lm Drum FB Post

We love to share with you the progress of our first sampling drum machine. We’re super excited that the unit has passed all audio tests today and much of the user interface development is now also completed. Man, this thing grooves;-)

However, this is still a prototype and a long way from production. Rest assured that our drum machine development team is working overtime to complete this exciting instrument as quickly as possible in order to get it into your drumming hands. Thanks for your patience and amazing support as always. You’re the reason why we do what we do.

We’d love to hear your opinion. Shoot… P.S. This is just the beginning and there is so much more in the pipeline. Stay tuned.