Nod to The Legend · The inventions · 1980–
Roger Linn
Drum machine and MPC designer
His LM-1 (1980) was the first drum machine to play real recorded drum samples. Later, with Akai, he designed the MPC60 (1988), with pads and a swing setting that made machines feel human.
Still heard: The MPC workflow (chop, pad, swing) is how beats are still made.
Related legends
- The SSL 4000 Console: Solid State Logic, founded by Colin Sanders
- Rupert Neve: Console and preamp designer
- The Fairlight CMI: Sampler by Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie
- The Yamaha DX7: FM synthesizer
- Timbaland: Producer for Aaliyah and Missy Elliott
- Harold Rhodes: Inventor of the Rhodes electric piano