The man behind the legendary MPC, Roger Linn, stays focused with a single browser tab

The Verge profiles Roger Linn, the influential instrument designer behind the LM-1, LinnDrum, and MPC, whose tools shaped decades of popular music. The piece frames Linn’s legacy alongside his notably focused digital habits, including working with just one browser tab.

Linn’s career shows how durable hardware design can reshape creative culture long after a product’s launch. His minimalist workflow also contrasts with today’s attention-fragmented software environment, underscoring a broader trend toward intentional computing among creators.

Roger Linn lets his accomplishments do the talking. | Image: Roger Linn

Roger Linn is a legend in the world of musical instruments. He's been at the cutting edge of music technology for decades. He created the LM-1, the first drum machine to use samples, and its successor, the LinnDrum, is one of the most iconic drum machines of all time. They were used on countless records in the 1980s, including hits by Tom Petty, Queen, and Tears for Fears. But the most notable fan was probably Prince, who used them extensively on Purple Rain and 1999. Somehow, those are not his greatest contributions to the music world. That would, undoubtedly, be the MPC. Linn partnered with Akai to create one of the most popular and impor … Read the full story at The Verge.