Linn LM-1 Drum Computer–first ads

Not exactly a showpiece, this ad is here for historical reasons more than any other. But don’t be fooled. This unassuming little layout got the job done very well. And it did no harm, as many first-time ads do to new companies who naïvely publish silly, amateurish work and then spend years digging out from under the damage.

This is the first ever ad for the Linn LM-1 Drum Computer, 'Real Drums,' 1980-1981. The ad is no showpiece, but the unassuming little layout got the job done extremely well. And it DID NO HARM, as many first-time ads do to new companies who naïvely publish silly, amateurish work and then spend years digging out from under the damage. For more on this groundbreaking drum machine and the creation of its first advertisement: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/art/linnlm1.htm

This was the very first ad for the Linn LM-1 Drum Computer. Roger Linn and I thought that the phrase “Real Drums” juxtaposed with a picture of something that looked decidedly unlike real drums would make for a provocative headline. Ad copy goes on to explain the LM-1 actually does play real drums—digital recordings stored on computer chips.

'Real Drums'--the 2nd iteration of the 1st ad for the Linn LM-1 Drum Computer, March 1981. The world's first programmable digital drum machine was launched with these half-page ads in 'Recording Engineer/Producer' and 'Contemporary Keyboard.' This was the first one to appear in color and sports the first and only appearance of an early version of the Linn logo. For more on this groundbreaking drum machine and the creation of its first advertisements: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/art/linnlm1.htm

The black & white ad at top ran in what was then known as “Contemporary Keyboard” (now just “Keyboard”) in January 1981 with a notice about the February NAMM show. This same ad appeared earlier in Recording Engineer/Producer magazine, October 1980, with a notice to see the LM-1 at the AES (Audio Engineering Society) convention in New York.

'Real Drums'--the third iteration of the first ad for the Linn LM-1 Drum Computer, April 1981. The world's first programmable digital drum machine was launched with these half-page ads in 'Recording Engineer/Producer' and 'Contemporary Keyboard.' The photography was greatly improved in this version and the Linn logo design is finalized. For more on this groundbreaking drum machine and the creation of its first advertisements: https://www.ericwrobbel.com/art/linnlm1.htm

The gold ad from March 1981 shown here features a rare appearance of the earliest Linn logo. The symbol used ahead of the Linn name was an amalgam of a musical whole note with the technical symbol for a transistor inside of it. To the rest of the world it just looked like an “O.” Roger quickly tired of being called Mr. O’Linn and we changed it, along with the background color, as you see in this ad’s third iteration, from April 1981.


What: Copy assistance, design, layout, production art

For: “Real Drums” half-page black & white and color magazine ads

Client: Linn Electronics

When: 1980, 1981



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