There's an awful lot going on under the AdrenaLinn's hood. The simplest way to think of it from the gigging guitarist's point of view is as a time-synched effects unit for live use. Want to get your tremolo or delay to sit bang in time with the drummer? No problem, one footswitch operation and you're done. Or maybe you're a studio rat and prefer to view the AdrenaLinn as a powerful tool for creating chilled out grooves and ambient filters that are totally locked into the beat. Either way we're still only scratching the surface of the AdrenaLinn's potential.

The violet coloured, metal-cased stomper is about the size of a VHS video cassette and sits on a quartet of rubber feet which tilt the unit forward slightly. We're presented with a row of four knobs: Effect preset which selects preset and user effects patches, Drumbeat preset which selects preset and user drum patches, Tempo and Master volume. One of a pair of low-pressure finger operable footswitches controls start/stop for the drumbeats (intro/end facility when held), the other operates Bypass (or tempo facility when held for one bar).

Editing of the effects, drumbeats and guitar amp parameters takes place via the four rotary knobs and a quartet of edit buttons. It uses a convenient grid reference system printed on the front of the unit with all status and relevant information made clear via a bright green three-character display. If you prefer a larger user interface you can edit on-screen by hooking the AdrenaLinn up to your computer and employing the free downloadable version of Emagic's SoundDiver software available from the Linn website www.rogerlinndesign.com

SOUNDS: Getting started with the unit is fairly simple. As we write Roger Linn has just updated the main sound chip to reduce an already low noise level to virtually imperceptible and also to make the AdrenaLinn more immediately guitarist-friendly by moving amp model presets so that they're the first patches encountered on power up. If the speed at which we received the replacement chips, installation tools and instructions is indicative of the customer service from Roger Linn Design, then peace of mind is assured.

Connections consist of a mono input jack for your guitar/bass or keyboard and a pair of stereo output jacks. Impatient pickers will be pleased to learn that units now shipping will also feature a stereo headphone socket. To hear the AdrenaLinn as was intended a stereo speaker system such as a PA or studio monitor system is the ideal companion although we achieved some impressive results purely by running the AdrenaLinn mono through a simple Marshall AVT20 guitar combo.

A bank of twelve amp models offering a selection of classic Fender (Bassman, Deluxe Reverb, small combo), Marshall (early, classic and modern), Vox (AC-30 Top Boost simulation), as well as Matchless, MESA and Soldano, makes up the preamp section. There's also a clean 'studio preamp' and a funky fuzz box simulation. All amp models are goverened by bass, middle and treble controls and, of course, volume. It's interesting to note here that the gain control allows the effects to be added pre or post preamp for greater flexibility.

The actual amp model sounds are very good, certainly on a par with the benchmark Line 6 versions and what they lack in choice and editabilty with regards speaker cabinets and mic placement they more than make up for in good solid tone quality, particularly the Marshall and MESA models. You can of course edit the sounds and save to a user preset along with effect settings.

On a practical level you can use the AdrenaLinn in a band situation in the following way. First find the effect you want whether it be step filter, flange or tremolo or whatever. Use the pan option to send your drummer a basic click from one of the output channels. Now while the band are playing hold down the Bypass footswitch for one measure to get the AdrenaLinn in synch and marvel at the way your effected guitar sound sits on the beat... provided of course your drummer is click savvy.

Verdict

Whether you decide to use the AdrenaLinn simply as a cool 'in-time FX' box for locking in with your drummer, or to explore the deeper side of its functionality via the tweaker's paradise of computer editing of both beats and effects, you can't fail to have hugely creative fun with it. The amount of improvement you'll see in your timing and rhythm playing is worth the outlay alone and if you're prepared to experiment and learn more about the unit and what it can do, it'll certainly become an useful addition to your musical armoury. As a creative song-writing tool the AdrenaLinn simply can't be touched.

If your playing feels stale or inspiration is lacking, the AdrenaLinn is just the toy to freshen you up. It's the perfect tool for weening guitarists into technology-based sonic craftsmanship and contains some of the most inspiring sounds you're ever likely to hear. Forget drum machines, this the ultimate ideas machine.