|
Here are a few tips for using LinnStrument in ways that newer LinnStrument owners--or potential owners--may not be aware of.
Looking for a used LinnStrument?
If you're looking to save a little money, buying a used LinnStrument is a way to do that. However, I've made a variety of hardware improvements over the years, so it's good to know how many of those improvements are in a specific used LinnStrument has . To learn how up-to-date the seller's LinnStrument is, visit my site and click the Where To Buy menu > Buying used. There you will learn exactly which serial numbers have exactly which improvements. And on my Online Store, you can also learn how much it costs to buy any replacement parts. Finally, if you register your used purchase (using the link near the top of my site's LinnStrument Support page), I'll transfer the unit's remaining warranty to you, and give you a free license for Bitwig 8-Track DAW software.
Play LinnStrument while its Step Sequencer plays in the background
Each of LinnStrument's two keyboard Splits has its own Step Sequencer track. To play LinnStrument while its Step Sequencer plays in the background, turn on the Step Sequencer on one split while turning it off on the other for live play. Now set the sequencer split to play, then switch to the non-sequencer split and play live while the sequencer split plays.
Audience messages
If you're playing standing up in front of an audience, you can display "APPLAUSE" or 15 other scrolling Audience Messages across LinnStrument's surface. These messages are displayed upside-down so that the audience sees them right-side-up. To learn more, open the Panel Settings page, Global Settings tab, then search for "audience messages". Note that all 16 messages can be edited to display whatever you like.
Want a completely custom light pattern?
LinnStrument's pad lighting system permits lighting any 12-tone scale in two colors from a palette of 10 colors, intended to light the root note in one color and the other scale notes in a second color. However, some users desire a more complex lighting pattern, for example a different color for each scale note, or guitar neck dots. To do this, LinnStrument permits Custom Light Patterns, in which any pad can be independently assigned to any of 10 colors or off. To learn more, visit the Panel Settings page, Global Settings tab, and search for "custom light patterns".
"Strum" the rows like a guitar or autoharp
LinnStrument has a way to use your right hand to "strum" the rows, effectively "strumming" the notes fingered in the left hand. To learn how to do this, open the Panel Settings page, Per-Split Settings button, and in the "Special" section, read about "Strum". You can even do guitar-like "hammer-ons" and "pull-offs".
Use your thumb on the Low Row to turn the Arpeggiator on or off while fingering chords
This is a handy trick to enhance performance. In Per-Split Settings, Low Row columns, select ARPEG. Now holding your thumb on the Low Row will momentarily turn on the Arpeggiator. For example, this can be used to trill notes as on a mandolin. Whenever you want to trill a fingered note, hold your thumb against the Low Row. Varying the pressure of your fingered note will vary the loudness of the repeating notes. And by moving your thumb left or right, you can decrease or increase the arpeggiator rate, for example from 16th notes to 16th triplets or 32nds.
Need a reference picture of LinnStrument's panel?
Sometimes when you're learning about LinnStrument but not near your LinnStrument, it's handy to have a picture of the front panel for reference. I've just added such a picture. From the LinnStrument Support page, click "Panel Picture".
| 
