The Linn 9000 is a landmark hybrid drum machine from 1984, combining digital PCM sample playback with analogue filters and VCAs. It is renowned for its distinctive punchy kicks, crisp snares, tight hi-hats, claps, and percussion, delivering weight and swing that shaped numerous records. The machine's character is described as clean yet gritty, with fast transients, solid low end, and a focused midrange, enhanced by subtle analogue colouration for warmth and cohesion. This sound profile made it a staple for genres including hip-hop, pop, funk, electro, and contemporary productions.
Numerous sample libraries and individual sound files have been created to capture the authentic sonic characteristics of the Linn 9000. These samples are meticulously sampled, edited, and mapped to remain true to the original hardware, making them suitable for modern digital audio workstation (DAW) workflows. They are often marketed as 100% royalty-free, allowing for unrestricted use in music production. Sources for these samples include commercial sample marketplaces, digital audio libraries, and public archives. The following sections detail the available sample sets, their specifications, and how they can be accessed.
Available Sample Libraries and Sets
Several distinct collections of Linn 9000 samples are available, each offering a different quantity and format of sounds. These libraries are designed to provide producers with a comprehensive palette of the machine's classic tones.
Linn 9000 Drum Machine Sample Library
This is a dedicated sample library focused on the Linn 9000. It is described as offering "genuine Linn 9000 authenticity" and is built on the concept of the machine's hybrid architecture. The library is marketed as "DAW ready" for modern workflows, with samples that are "carefully sampled, edited, and mapped to remain true to the hardware." The sounds are highlighted for their "punchy kicks, crisp snares, tight hats, claps, and percussion with unmistakable weight and swing." The character is noted as "clean yet gritty," with "fast transients, solid low end, and a focused midrange." A key feature is the "subtle analog colouration" that adds "warmth and cohesion," giving patterns a "polished but human feel." The library is positioned as suitable for multiple genres, including pop, rock, electro, and prog.
Linn 9000 Drum Kit (120+ Wav Samples)
This is a commercial product offered on a sample marketplace, listed at a price of $4.99. It consists of "120+ Wav Samples" with a total data size of 9.8 MB. The samples are provided in the WAV format at a specification of 44.1kHz/16-Bit. The library is noted as being PC/Mac compatible and is explicitly labelled as "100% Royalty-Free." The description states that the Linn 9000 "became a staple of 1980s popular music, helping to establish drum machines as reliable tools in the studio."
AdrenaLinn Drum Kit (120+ Wav Samples)
Also offered for $4.99, this is a separate library from the Linn 9000 Drum Kit, though it shares the same technical specifications: 120+ Audio Wav files, 9.7 MB of data, 44.1kHz/16-Bit, PC/Mac compatible, and 100% royalty-free. The description for the AdrenaLinn kit notes it features "3 folders with over 120+ Wav samples" and is based on the AdrenaLinn III, a programmable drum machine with 40 sounds and two degrees of swing for a "natural human feel."
LinnDrum LM-1 Analog Drum Kit (570+ Wav Samples)
This is a larger collection, also available for purchase, containing "over 570+ Wav samples" with a data size of 75.2 MB. This kit is specifically for the LinnDrum LM-1, which is a different but related model to the Linn 9000.
Individual Sample and Loop Files
In addition to full libraries, individual sample files and loops are available. One example is a specific WAV file titled "MCT V Drum R Linn 9000 Top 19.wav." This file is sourced from Mycrazything Records and is described as a "studio-quality WAV file ready to be used in your favourite music programme." It is a loop with a tempo of 120 BPM and a duration of 8 seconds. The loop is noted to be "Royalty-Free" and is inspired by artists such as Eric Prydz, Katy Perry, Pharrell, Kanye West, and Robin Thicke. It is categorised as suitable for "mooded productions" and uses instruments such as "Drums, Top."
Public Archive Collection
A public archive on the Internet Archive contains a large collection of individual Linn 9000 sample files in WAV format. The archive includes a comprehensive list of individual drum sounds. The files are named descriptively and were originally created on various dates in 2001. The collection includes a wide array of percussion sounds, such as:
- Kicks: Kick.wav, Kick 2.wav, Kick_1.wav
- Snares: Snare.wav, Snare1.wav, Snare 2.wav, Snare2.wav, Snare3.wav, Snare4.wav, Snare5.wav, Snare6.wav
- Hi-Hats: Hhclose1.wav, Hhclose2.wav, Hhopen1.wav, Hhopen2.wav
- Cymbals: Crash.wav, Crash1.wav, Crash 2.wav, Crash2.wav, Crash 3.wav, Crash3.wav, Crsh.wav
- Rides: Ride.wav, Ride1.wav, Ride2.wav, Ride3.wav
- Percussion: Clap.wav, Clap 1.wav, Clap 2.wav, Clhh.wav, Clhh 2.wav, Clhh_1.wav, Cowbell.wav, Cowbell1.wav, Cowbell2.wav, Tamb.wav, Tamb1.wav, Tamb 2.wav, Rim.wav, Rim1.wav, Rim 2.wav, Rim2.wav, Stick.wav
- Other: BassDrumrum1.wav, BassDrumrum1kai.wav, BassDrumrum2.wav, BassDrumrum3.wav, BassDrumrum4.wav, Cabasa.wav, Cabasa2.wav, Conga 1.wav, Conga 2.wav, Hi-Cong.wav, Hiconga.wav, Etom.wav, Ping.wav
Access and Usage Considerations
Access to Linn 9000 samples varies by source. Commercial libraries and individual loops are typically available for purchase or download from dedicated sample marketplaces and digital audio stores. The public archive collection is hosted on the Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library, and is generally accessible for download without direct cost, though users should verify the specific terms of use associated with the archive.
When considering usage, the commercial libraries and individual loops explicitly state they are "100% Royalty-Free" or "Royalty-Free," meaning they can be used in music productions without ongoing royalty payments. The public archive files do not come with an explicit royalty-free licence in the provided data, so users would need to determine the appropriate usage rights for those specific files.
All sample sets are designed for use in modern music production software (DAWs). They are provided in standard WAV format, which is compatible with virtually all DAWs on PC and Mac platforms. The samples are ready for direct drag-and-drop integration into a project, allowing for immediate use in creating drum patterns and rhythms.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications of the available sample sets are as follows:
- Format: WAV
- Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz (for the commercial kits)
- Bit Depth: 16-bit (for the commercial kits)
- Compatibility: PC and Mac
- Licensing: Royalty-free (for commercial libraries and individual loops)
The Linn 9000 itself is a hybrid machine, using digital PCM samples for playback and analogue filters and VCAs for processing. The sample libraries aim to capture this hybrid character, offering both the precise digital samples and the subtle analogue colouration that defines the sound.
Conclusion
A variety of Linn 9000 drum machine samples are available for music producers, ranging from full commercial sample libraries to individual loops and a public archive of individual sound files. These samples faithfully replicate the distinctive, punchy, and swing-heavy sound of the original 1984 hardware. Commercial offerings provide curated, royalty-free collections in standard WAV format, ready for use in any DAW, while the public archive offers a comprehensive set of individual sounds. Producers seeking the authentic Linn 9000 character for genres such as hip-hop, pop, funk, and electro can access these resources through dedicated sample marketplaces and digital archives.