Behringer LM Drum Groove box

Behringer LM Drum — The 1980s Drum Machine Sound, Reborn

The Behringer LM Drum is a hybrid sampling drum machine that revives the unmistakable crunch of 1980s digital drum machines. This instrument combines an 8/12-bit sampling engine with genuine analog 3320 VCF and 2164 VCA circuitry, giving every hit the warm, gritty character that defined records by Prince, Madonna, and Tears for Fears. Players chasing LinnDrum flavor will find 109 built-in sounds drawn from the LM1, LM2, LM9000, DMX, and Simmons SDS. A 64-step sequencer and 16 individual outputs make this a studio and stage tool.

What Sets the LM Drum Apart

What separates the LM Drum from a typical sample-playback drum machine is its variable sample-rate DA converter, which produces the distinctive crunchy top-end when sounds pitch down — exactly the way the original LinnDrum behaved. Each voice runs through the original 3320 VCF and 2164 VCA for per-voice analog tone shaping. The onboard Wave Designer and dual-mode analog filter add per-voice attack, sustain, and resonance control.

Sound Engine & Voice Architecture

The sound engine and voice architecture are where the LM Drum earns its hybrid name.

• Built-in Sounds: 109 drum sounds — kicks, snares, hi-hats, toms, congas, claps, and percussion from LM1, LM2, LM9000, DMX, and Simmons SDS banks
• Sampling Engine: 8/12-bit with variable sample rate — gritty character when samples pitch down
• Voice Architecture — 16 voices with independent level and pan per voice for dense arrangements

Sequencer & Performance Controls

The sequencer turns the LM Drum into a complete pattern and songwriting workstation.

• Sequencer Steps: 64 steps per pattern — poly-meter, step-repeat, note-repeat, real-time triggering, track-mute, and track-solo
• Storage — up to 128 patterns and 8 songs
• Pads: 16 velocity-sensitive pads with aftertouch — capture natural dynamics and expressive accents when finger-drumming

Connectivity, I/O & Physical Specs

The I/O layout is built for serious studio and stage integration.

• Individual Outputs: 16 × 3.5 mm jacks — route each drum voice to its own mixer channel for multi-track recording
• Sync & MIDI: MIDI In/Out/Thru, USB-B, 3 trigger outputs, sync in/out — clock to or from analog gear, modular rigs, and DAWs
• Display & Footprint — 128 × 64 LCD in a 479 × 264 × 73 mm, 3.12 kg desktop chassis

Who Is the LM Drum For

The LM Drum is the right choice for producers, electronic musicians, and live performers who want authentic 1980s digital drum-machine character without paying vintage prices. It suits beatmakers exploring lo-fi house, synthwave, hip-hop, industrial, and pop production who need the unmistakable crunch of early 12-bit sampling. Players coming from the RD-8, RD-9, or TR-08 will appreciate the deeper per-voice analog tone shaping and poly-meter sequencing. Stage performers benefit from 16 individual outputs and the Auto Scroll feature.

The LinnDrum Legacy Behind the LM Drum

The LM Drum is Behringer's modern interpretation of Roger Linn's legendary LM1, LM2, and LM9000 drum machines that defined 1980s pop. Linn's original designs powered hits from Prince, Madonna, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, and Human League, and were so coveted that only around 500 LM1 units were ever produced. Behringer reverse-engineered the original EPROM data, preserving the variable sample-rate behavior that gives the LinnDrum its signature bite.