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Roger Linn Design LinnStrument MIDI Performance Controller

200-note USB MIDI Controller Keyboard, with Polyphonic Aftertouch, Pitch, and Modulation
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Roger Linn Design LinnStrument MIDI Performance Controller
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Highly Expressive, Adaptive MIDI Controller

Roger Linn Design decided that modern keyboardists and synthesizer fanatics deserve a new way to interact with their instruments, and the LinnStrument USB/MIDI controller was born. Each of the eight rows covers a two octave range, and you can "tune" each of the rows in relation to the others just like you would with strings on a guitar. And you can modulate each note in three ways simultaneously just based on your touch. We've gotten our hands on countless MIDI controller keyboards here at Sweetwater, and we can safely say the Roger Linn Design LinnStrument is a genuinely unique way to play.

Roger Linn Design LinnStrument USB/MIDI Controller at a Glance:
  • An amazingly expressive way to play your synthesizers and software instruments
  • Unlimited musical potential with string-like tuning
  • Color LEDs give you instant visual note feedback
An amazingly expressive way to play your synthesizers and software instruments

When you get your hands on the Roger Linn Design LinnStrument you'll notice that each note responds to your touch, polyphonically, in three ways: loudness via pressure, pitch via left/right finger movement, and timbre via forward/backward finger movement. Of course, you can assign each of these to whatever MIDI parameters you prefer.

Unlimited musical potential with string-like tuning

Look at the eight rows of notes on the LinnStrument as strings on a guitar. Each row gives you access to two octaves, and you adjust the range for each row. You can tune them just like a guitar if you want, or tune them in fifths like a violin or cello. You may even discover new intervals and chord shapes that may inspire you to create music that you couldn't normally play with a traditional piano keyboard.

Color LEDs give you instant visual note feedback

Under the playing surface of the LinnStrument are colored LEDs that will always show you the location of "natural" notes (C, D, E, F, G, A, B), no matter how you have tuned the different rows. You can also choose to highlight specific notes in one of six colors, making it easy to see scales or every "C" for example. This smart color coding scheme makes this unique instrument easy to become familiar with, and takes the guesswork out of switching between whatever custom tunings you've come up with.

Roger Linn Design LinnStrument USB/MIDI Controller Features:
  • 200-note USB/MIDI controller
  • Control note on, aftertouch, modulation and pitch bend with a single touch
  • Eight rows of notes can be "tuned" individually like strings on a guitar
  • Discover new chords and intervals you may not experiment with on a traditional piano keyboard
  • Assign notes and scales different colors to quickly find the notes you need
  • Easy to integrate into your rig with USB and MIDI I/O
  • Powered via USB, optional power supply sold separately
Experience your synths and software instruments in a whole new way, with the Roger Linn Design LinnStrument!

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Tech Specs

  • Pads: 200 velocity sensitive, pressure sensitive with X/Y axis movement
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Height: 1"
  • Width: 22.4"
  • Depth: 8.22"
  • Weight: 5 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: LinnStrument

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

One Year In

I love this controller - it is solidly built, conceptually mature, and well supported. As a stringed instrument player, the layout made instance sense to me. Following the FB group for Linnstrument players, I have picked up a lot of little tricks and learned about Easter egg features in the instrument. The firmware source is available, if one is inclined to contribute or wants to experiment. The options are endless. I'm even able to use it completely wirelessly in conjunction with CME Widi and a small battery pack. I use it with synths, software synths on computers, and my iPad.
Rated 5/5

I've fallen in love with music all over again

I've had my eyes on these for years and finally received one as a birthday present. Best birthday ever. It is not only so expressive as others are saying, but it is just fun and very intuitive. The options are endless but I was still able to jump right in. I love knowing that I won't outgrow this anytime soon - it's staying right on top of my desk with easy access. And Roger's personal touch through customer service can't be beat.
Rated 5/5

Best instrument ever

I do old time Gospel Music in a somewhat blue grassy/country mode. At 78 I no longer tour and just started to want to delve a bit more into synth music since it did not fit what I've been doing for the last few years very well. I had touched on it back in my secular days with the early Arp, Sequential Circuit Pro One and the DX7, but more less used them in a conventional way, that is Bass, Piano etc. So wanting to get a bit more experimental, for me anyway, I wanted to do a bit of "Orchestral Synth" writing. So I get Diva by U-he. Flipped out. What a sound that synth has! And tho this LinnStrument things been around for 7 or 8 years, I had never heard of it. But ran across a youtube (Did I say I love youtube?) vid on it and was amazed at the potential I immediately saw. After a couple more vids I realized as a keyboard and fret player, I would have a head start. But the idea of any length glissando and tremolo all in the touch of your hand and I was hooked on the idea. I had developed a technique of bending notes with the bend wheel on my keyboard, but you can't bend notes separately that way. You can even bend notes in opposite direction with the LinnStrument. So I ordered it. Best purchase I have made lately. Not to mention, a new way to play brings new Ideas because the hands don't fall all too easily into familiar places if you know what I mean. We get to forge our own way of playing this thing as we learn more about it. I bet we will all come up with very different ideas on how to go about getting it done. I was easily playing it, crudely, the first day. The second day, it was like a new friend. Third day, it was like we had known each other a very long time! So intuitive. It's a great lead instrument as I knew it would be. Great for playing "parts". Having to get used to new hand positions etc., but that's just the "cost of doing business". If people only knew what this this is, it would be all over for Linn. I'm on my second piece with the synths, and this second one which is almost done is all LinnStrument, Diva and drum samples. The thing just works!! I use it with Cakewalk. Been using Cakewalk since long before it was free and it also just works. Never a major problem. Things just plug and play once you know how to set it up, which isn't that hard to do. What a world we live in. I love you Roger Linn! "Ya' done good" on this one! And Sweetwater? Service with a smile! I love you guys too.
Music background: Life long working (Lol) musician. Retired from the road life now at 78, but still make vids for my youtube channel among other things.
Rated 5/5

Astonishing!

Where to start. I've only had it one day, but I can tell you now this will be my go to instrument for a long time to come, probably the rest of my life. Does things you can't begin to do with a keyboard or guitar or bass, and yet if you are a string or key player, you will take to this immediately. In just 24 hours I feel like I have known this beast for a long time!
And it was plug and play. I use Cakewalk (been using it since the 90's mostly for midi then, but everything now) and I just never have the problems getting things to work in this DAW that I see others having with other systems. I'm using Diva and Surge XT so far for the synths, and once You set the Linn to midi channel per note and +/- 12 on the pitch bend and then on the synth change your pitch bend parameters to 12 up and 12 down for each patch you call up, you will then enter musical heaven! Is it a keyboard? Is it a guitar? No. That's just the jumping off point. But in the difference is where the gold is, and many of us will develop our own one hand and two hand techniques that will be a mix of guitar and keys technique, but we will learn to use the abilities that it has that go beyond keys and guitars and we will all come up with unique and wonderful ways to press this beast into service!! Thank you Roger Linn..Been a fan of yours all the way back to your early drum machines. And thank you Sweetwater. Your service is second to none!! I love this thing! Did I say well built also?
Music background: Life long working (Lol) musician. Retired from the road life now at 78, but still make vids for my youtube channel among other things.
Rated 5/5

One of the most expressive MIDI controllers ever.

I've owned this since they were first available and I'm always finding new ways to use it. The LinnStrument has come a long way since I initially purchased it. Many new features have been added since then I'm not aware of any outstanding bugs. Tech support has always been great. Zero complaints. If something happened to mine I'd purchase another immediately.
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