My Linnstrument arrived today, I really like it but I was a little surprised by how small the pads were. I guess I thought it would be like ableton push/mpc etc size given that there is modulation on the x/y axis. However the pads are so small, only drastic effects seem to be possible. It is also kind of hard for my fat fingers.
Anyone know if Roger ever talked about making a bigger version? I'd def be up for grabbing it if he did.
Bigger Pads
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- KVRist
- 264 posts since 17 Oct, 2005
I don't want to speak for Roger, but I'm pretty sure he arrived at the current pad size after extensive testing of many different pad sizes.
Give yourself a little bit of time with it and you'll get accustomed to it.
Give yourself a little bit of time with it and you'll get accustomed to it.
Duality without regard to physicality
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- KVRAF
- 2487 posts since 8 Jun, 2010
- Roger Linn Design
Hi d33psp33d,
I’m sorry the spacing of the note pads is not to your liking. The spacing is stated on the Specifications page, and is the average spacing (19mm or 3/4”) of human fingers, and the same as on a standard computer keyboard. It was my intent that the spacing should allow people to easily play solos and chords, so the note spacing is not unlike other acoustic musical instruments. By comparison, the size and spacing of Ableton Push’s pads are intended to be acceptable to players of drum pads—who often hit a pad with two fingers—but somewhat smaller in order to fit 64 pads in a portable package. However, you cannot easily play four-note chords in one hand on Push. LinnStrument is not intended to satisfy drum pad players so does not need to have this compromise, focusing instead on one-note-per-finger play. If you watch the videos of LinnStrument players, you can get a good idea of what types of playing LinnStrument works for. If you find that this type of playing does not fit with your needs, hopefully you have time to return it to the dealer.
I’m sorry the spacing of the note pads is not to your liking. The spacing is stated on the Specifications page, and is the average spacing (19mm or 3/4”) of human fingers, and the same as on a standard computer keyboard. It was my intent that the spacing should allow people to easily play solos and chords, so the note spacing is not unlike other acoustic musical instruments. By comparison, the size and spacing of Ableton Push’s pads are intended to be acceptable to players of drum pads—who often hit a pad with two fingers—but somewhat smaller in order to fit 64 pads in a portable package. However, you cannot easily play four-note chords in one hand on Push. LinnStrument is not intended to satisfy drum pad players so does not need to have this compromise, focusing instead on one-note-per-finger play. If you watch the videos of LinnStrument players, you can get a good idea of what types of playing LinnStrument works for. If you find that this type of playing does not fit with your needs, hopefully you have time to return it to the dealer.
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- KVRAF
- 8826 posts since 6 Jan, 2017 from Outer Space
If you start to play and get used to it, I bet you won‘t request a different size again. When I got mine, I also had a differnt idea how it would feel like. After playing it just for some weeks I was more and more impressed how well this design was. In the end I have to admit its as perfect as it can be...
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- KVRist
- 264 posts since 17 Oct, 2005
I agree with TJ, a few months in and I couldn't imagine the spacing being any better.
Duality without regard to physicality
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 7 posts since 29 Mar, 2019
Many thanks for all the feedback, I will keep this all in mind and give it a little time to adjust. @Roger, there is no way I am returning this Linnstrument, LOVE IT!!! Sounds amazing with my MPE synths!! wowow
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- KVRAF
- 2487 posts since 8 Jun, 2010
- Roger Linn Design
Thanks, d33.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 7 posts since 29 Mar, 2019
I've had some time with it now, and simply love it. I cant believe how awesome it makes MPE synths. I still think the product design could ripple out into alternate ergonomics. Still no authoritarian saying it must not be, given its economically viable for Roger. MPE is def the future and Roger was way ahead of the curve, its exciting to think what might be next. bigger pads, well, that would add a higher resolutojn for modulation. I'm sticking to my guns there. If I saw a Linnstrument the size of a 61 controller, instant buy. I would also keep the current one, love love love how easy it is to move around, alas sometimes you need a big and little dipper.
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- KVRAF
- 2487 posts since 8 Jun, 2010
- Roger Linn Design
Hi d33,
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m afraid I did not choose the pad size because it was economically viable. I chose it because it was the correct match for the size of human hands and fingers in order to play common musical chords and scales.
Every musical interface is a compromise. LinnStrument compromises Y-axis range in exchange for better one-hand access to common chords and scales in the Fourths String Layout. Just as the orchestra evolved to contain a variety of instruments for different purposes, so will evolve a variety of electronic musical interfaces, each with their own strenths and weaknesses. If you prefer a longer Y-axis range, there is Continuum, Seaboard and SoundPlane, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. It depends on what you’re willing to give up for the perceived benefit.
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m afraid I did not choose the pad size because it was economically viable. I chose it because it was the correct match for the size of human hands and fingers in order to play common musical chords and scales.
Every musical interface is a compromise. LinnStrument compromises Y-axis range in exchange for better one-hand access to common chords and scales in the Fourths String Layout. Just as the orchestra evolved to contain a variety of instruments for different purposes, so will evolve a variety of electronic musical interfaces, each with their own strenths and weaknesses. If you prefer a longer Y-axis range, there is Continuum, Seaboard and SoundPlane, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. It depends on what you’re willing to give up for the perceived benefit.
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- KVRAF
- 1550 posts since 2 Apr, 2015
d33, instead of sliding your finger for the Y axis you can also rotate it.
So place your finger on the pad and gradually move it up to the vertical by pushing the hand forward but keeping the finger tip in the same place and rotating it.
I find this give much more gradual and controllable Y changes, here is an example of how fine the control can be:
So place your finger on the pad and gradually move it up to the vertical by pushing the hand forward but keeping the finger tip in the same place and rotating it.
I find this give much more gradual and controllable Y changes, here is an example of how fine the control can be:
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Bitwig, against the constitution.
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- KVRer
- 20 posts since 12 Mar, 2019
The total spacing of an octave is actually slightly bigger than on a piano keyboard. If it were even larger, my piano training wouldn’t help much. But much smaller and you run out of space for modulation. I think Roger chose wisely.
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- KVRer
- 10 posts since 16 Nov, 2017
@mbsq If by going straight across the linnstrument to the next octave, yes the stretch if not impossible (one hand) is larger than a keyboard octave. The advantage is that in reality and total confusing (at least for me as I cannot play a guitar) there are four ways to play the same octave. A large advantage is that with just one hand it is so easy to play two octaves even three octaves, four is possible with one hand though I might need to break one of my fingers. Playing chords are so much different than playing on a keyboard, your hands are no longer set in one shape so to say, just have to learn different patterns for the most effective playing.
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- KVRAF
- 8826 posts since 6 Jan, 2017 from Outer Space
With the tritone tuning I can easily span 4 octaves...
And yes, it took me a while to dicover, but rotating the finger on the y-axis is way more precise and expressive than sliding...
And yes, it took me a while to dicover, but rotating the finger on the y-axis is way more precise and expressive than sliding...-
- KVRer
- 20 posts since 12 Mar, 2019
@Glendale- Yes, I’m aware of the “vertical motion” way to play scales. The 4ths layout is brilliant. I would never try to just stay in one row for a run. I was just saying that the basic movement between two or three notes- in terms of speed and even timing- can draw on piano training. The spacing is close enough to a piano to translate.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 7 posts since 29 Mar, 2019
Well at the end of the day the firmware is open source so perhaps there other ergonomics that can still be achieved. Like making 4 blocks equivalent to 1. I love the current form factor, but that is not to say I can find other ways to explore modulation ux. Since it's inception a plethora of new features have emerged. Perhaps more to come as adoption increases, due to several MPE synths going online.
