- Back to Top
- OverviewJump to Overview
- FeaturesJump to Features
- WarrantyJump to Warranty
- ReviewsJump to Reviews

The five types of touch sensing are as follows:
Strike Velocity
Pressure (Z axis)
Left-Right (X axis)
Front-Back (Y axis)
Release Velocity
Some LinnStrument Philosophy
Stringed instruments don't have any of these problems because the physics of a string require the semitones to be uniformly spaced and positioned. LinnStrument's notes are arranged as on any stringed instrument. Each row is a series of consecutive semitones, and you can tune the rows like a guitar, violin or however you wish.
By default they are tuned in musical fourths (five semitones), like a bass guitar with 8 strings. This note arrangement is called the 4ths String Layout and is fast becoming a new standard for expressive musical control, used in Ableton Push, Roli Blocks, a variety of iPad apps and more.
To make it easy to find the right notes, the naturals (C, D, E, F, G, A and B) are lit, with all the C note pads lit in a different color and having a Braille-size bump for tactile feedback. Alternatively, you can light any scale and in any of 10 colors.
About LinnStrument's Smart MIDI
Works with every MIDI synth, and even better with new MPE synths. LinnStrument sends standard MIDI messages over its USB or MIDI output jacks, and is configured by default to work out-of-the-box with every MIDI sound generator in existence, with the advantages over a MIDI keyboard of performed vibrato, note-to-note pitch slides, full pressure sensing from lightest to heaviest touch, and forward/backward movement sensing.
For fully independent 3D control of all simultaneously touches, you'll need a synth that's compatible with MPE (Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression), a new industry-wide MIDI standard that uses a separate MIDI channel for each touch. It's already supported in a long list of major software instruments. We even include free sounds files for Apple's MainStage and Logic, plus a free license for Bitwig 8-Track, all of which support MPE in their built-in synths.
New Step Sequencer
Expressive Swing Arpeggiator
LinnStrument's built-in Arpeggiator responds to all dimensions of movement for entirely new ways of beat-synced play. The Replay All mode creates chordal rhythms merely by varying chord pressure, and makes LinnStrument the world's only MPE beatbox.
Split Keyboard / Strum / CC Faders
You can split the keyboard to play two different sounds, and adjust the split point as you like. You can use one split to strum notes fingered on the other split as like a guitar. Or use either split as eight horizontal Control Change Faders to adjust 8 sound parameters in real time as you play.
Low Row
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128
- Write a Review
- SKU
- J50158 000000000 J50158000000000
-
Flexible Financing
-
Free Shipping
-
Lowest Price
-
45-Day Returns
- Free Shipping (48 Contiguous U.S. States)
Rather than the simple on/off switches of a standard MIDI keyboard, the LinnStrument's RGB-backlit note pads sense each finger's subtle movements in ...Click To Read More About This Product
-
99
6-Month* financing available.
Radical new controller.
- Videos
- LinnStrument Introduction
Rather than the simple on/off switches of a standard MIDI keyboard, the LinnStrument's RGB-backlit note pads sense each finger's subtle movements in five ways, enabling musical performance expression rivaling that of fine acoustic instruments.
The five types of touch sensing are as follows:
Strike Velocity
Pressure (Z axis)
Left-Right (X axis)
Front-Back (Y axis)
Release Velocity
Some LinnStrument Philosophy
Stringed instruments don't have any of these problems because the physics of a string require the semitones to be uniformly spaced and positioned. LinnStrument's notes are arranged as on any stringed instrument. Each row is a series of consecutive semitones, and you can tune the rows like a guitar, violin or however you wish.
By default they are tuned in musical fourths (five semitones), like a bass guitar with 8 strings. This note arrangement is called the 4ths String Layout and is fast becoming a new standard for expressive musical control, used in Ableton Push, Roli Blocks, a variety of iPad apps and more.
To make it easy to find the right notes, the naturals (C, D, E, F, G, A and B) are lit, with all the C note pads lit in a different color and having a Braille-size bump for tactile feedback. Alternatively, you can light any scale and in any of 10 colors.
About LinnStrument's Smart MIDI
Works with every MIDI synth, and even better with new MPE synths. LinnStrument sends standard MIDI messages over its USB or MIDI output jacks, and is configured by default to work out-of-the-box with every MIDI sound generator in existence, with the advantages over a MIDI keyboard of performed vibrato, note-to-note pitch slides, full pressure sensing from lightest to heaviest touch, and forward/backward movement sensing.
For fully independent 3D control of all simultaneously touches, you'll need a synth that's compatible with MPE (Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression), a new industry-wide MIDI standard that uses a separate MIDI channel for each touch. It's already supported in a long list of major software instruments. We even include free sounds files for Apple's MainStage and Logic, plus a free license for Bitwig 8-Track, all of which support MPE in their built-in synths.
New Step Sequencer
Expressive Swing Arpeggiator
LinnStrument's built-in Arpeggiator responds to all dimensions of movement for entirely new ways of beat-synced play. The Replay All mode creates chordal rhythms merely by varying chord pressure, and makes LinnStrument the world's only MPE beatbox.
Split Keyboard / Strum / CC Faders
You can split the keyboard to play two different sounds, and adjust the split point as you like. You can use one split to strum notes fingered on the other split as like a guitar. Or use either split as eight horizontal Control Change Faders to adjust 8 sound parameters in real time as you play.
Low Row
- Polyphonic step sequencer
- Split Keyboard Mode with unique MIDI settings for each split
- Volume Button displays horizontal light bar on screen for easy volume adjustment
- Preset Button displays MIDI Program Change number on screen (1-128) for easy selection by sliding your finger across surface
- Two Programmable Panel Switches
- CC Faders Mode permits either split to act as 8 horizontal light bars to control CC 1-8
- Arpeggiator
- Strum Mode: "strumming" the rows of the right split plays any notes held in the left split
- Low Row Mode: the lowest row may be used as a continuous MIDI control strip, sustain bar, arpeggiator on/off or other functions
Play on a table like a keyboard, or use the included guitar strap pins to play it standing up like a guitar.
Musician's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
- Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks
- Normal wear and tear
- Power surges
- Dust, internal heat and humidity
Other plan features include:
- For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks)
- For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Musician's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax.
- Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement
- Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold
- Plans are renewable on new gear
*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions (Opens in new window) for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
Reviewed by 2 customers
Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Functional
- Good Quality
- responsive
- tactile
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128:
almost as much usable range as a 61 key controller when you consider the potential there of up to an octave lost to key changes, ( depending, and also depending ) on a standard keyboard controller...and less than half the size...the solid build still has it as one of the lightest controllers for it's capability also.
i don't have much space in my studio, and my studio has to pack up need be....i couldn't ask for a better MIDI controller, i thought my finger drumming might suffer for the smaller pads, but totally not the case with the repeated kit layout that most DAWs default to....i had a 16 pad controller, and a 24 key controller, and i ditched them both...i have more space on my desk; and i don't think i will ever have to stop a track , back up , and drop in on it after transposing ever again..
Comments about Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128:
Hard to believe!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-2