LinnSequencer explained

Synth Name:	LinnDrum Sequencer
Synth Manufacturer:	Linn Electronics
Polyphony:	16

The LinnSequencer is a rack-mount 32-track hardware MIDI sequencer manufactured by Linn Electronics and released in 1985 at a list price of US $1,250.^[1] An optional Remote Control was available. Like the LinnDrum Midistudio, the LinnSequencer used the same flawed operating system used in the ill-fated Linn 9000,^[2] released in 1984. As a result, both machines earned a reputation for being notoriously unreliable.^{[3] [4]} In addition, the optional LinnSequencer SMPTE feature could not be deployed due to flawed circuit design. The last LinnSequencer operating system released by Linn Electronics was version 5.17.^[2]

When Linn went out of business in 1986, Forat Electronics purchased Linn's remaining assets^[5] and completely revamped the Linn 9000 and LinnSequencer operating system. They fixed all the bugs^[6] and added some new features to the LinnSequencer. The Forat LinnSequencer was released in 1987 by Forat Electronics at a list price of $1,000 (including all fixes and upgrades). The Forat LinnSequencer was manufactured and sold as a new complete unit.^[1] Forat also offered software and hardware upgrades to existing LinnSequencers. ^[7] Forat discontinued manufacturing new complete Forat LinnSequencers in 1994. However, at the time of writing (2015), Forat still offers the LinnSequencer software and hardware upgrades to stock LinnSequencers.^[7]

Features

The LinnSequencer is a state-of-the-art composition and performance tool for the professional musician. It is extremely powerful and simple to learn and use.

Features added by Forat Electronics include:

• 40,000-note capacity (four times the original)
• MIDI clock
• MIDI song pointer

Features of the original Linn Electronics LinnSequencer that are retained in the Forat LinnSequencer include:

• Operation is similar to a multi-track tape recorder with PLAY, STOP, RECORD, FAST FORWARD, REWIND, and LOCATE controls
• Each of the 100 sequences contains 32 simultaneous, polyphonic tracks. Each track may be assigned to one of 16 MIDI channels. Simultaneously plays up to 16 polyphonic synthesizers
• Ultra-fast 3.5-inch floppy disk drive stores complex songs in seconds and holds over 110,000 notes per disk
• One or all tracks may be TRANSPOSED at the touch of a key
• Exclusive real-time ERASE function makes editing FAST
• Exclusive REPEAT function automatically repeats any held notes at a pre-selected rhythmic value
• TIMING CORRECTION works during playback and operates without "chopping" notes
• Optional remote control

External links

• Official Roger Linn site

Notes and References

1. Web site: Retro Synth Ads: Linn Electronics Inc. LinnSequencer "Imagine the possibilities." ad, Keyboard 1985. 26 May 2014 .
2. Web site: Linn. Roger. ...we sent out one copy of the new version 5.17 software ROMs for the 9000 and LinnSequencer.... Bobby Nathan's Keyboard Magazine "In The Studio" Article #17 "What Happened to The Linn 9000". 2015-02-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20150108165622/http://www.bobbynathan.com/key17.htm. 2015-01-08. dead.
3. Web site: ...but bugged by many OS troubles and technical issues.. Polynominal.
4. Web site: ...it was plagued with operating system bugs.... Total Trash. The Linn 9000 Home Page.
5. Web site: Then in 1986 Forat Electronics Corporation was born after purchasing Linn's remaining assets.... Forat Electronics - History.
6. Web site: In the F-9000, all old software bugs of the old Linn 9000 are fixed,.... Vintage Synth Explorer.
7. Web site: Forat Electronics - The LinnSequencer.