Reprinted from Musico Pro (translated from Spanish)

AdrenaLinn — Groove Filter Effects - Amp Modeling - Drum Box
By Christopher Currell

AdrenaLinn is a processor for guitar (or bass or keyboard) players that can produce sequenced rhythmic sounds that were previously only available with keyboard, synthesizers, and sequencers. While playing along with the internal drum machine, the guitar is transformed into a dynamically filtered, rhythmic sequence in sync to the drum groove. AdrenaLinn also includes amp models, tempo-synced digital delay, tremolo, vibrato, flanging, volume swells, auto-wa, envelope wa, and many other effects. The AdrenaLinn can be driven via MIDI from a groovebox, keyboard sequencer, drum machine or digital recorder. A foot pedal can also be connected to the AdrenaLinn via MIDI. AdrenaLinn was designed by Roger Linn, known for the legendary Linn Drum Machine. What many people don't know is Roger was a studio guitarist before his venture into digital drum design. With the AdrenaLinn, Roger has returned to his love of guitar and created a guitar processor in a stomp box type format.

The Basics
The unit is housed in a sturdy purple metal stomp box containing two foot switches, four rotary pots, four selection buttons, an input level control and an LCD readout. The box has a 1/4" guitar input, left (mono) and right 1/4" outputs, MIDI in and out and a jack for a 7.5 vdc wall wart power supply.

For this review, I used a guitar for the instrument source and plugged it into the input jack. I adjusted the input level control so that the clip red LED barely blinked when I played the guitar hard. I then connected the stereo outputs to a fun range keyboard amp. A regular guitar amp can of course be used. I pushed the foot switch labeled start and I immediately heard a drum groove and when I strummed my guitar, a rhythmically filtered sequence in sync with the drum groove played along with my own rhythm playing.

An AdrenaLinn "Preset" is a collection of parameter settings that produce a particular sound or effect. A Preset might create a rhythmically synchronized effect, change your Instrument's tone and process it through a certain type of amp model. The AdrenaLinn contains 200 Presets. There are 100 factory Presets and 100 user Presets.

The filter section of the AdrenaLinn is its main sound-shaping tool. There are six different types of filters to affect your sound. Each of the 200 Presets incorporates a unique filter sequence. Each sequence has 32 steps. Each step can have a modulation level from 0 to 99, as well as the option to trigger the envelope generator when that step plays in the sequence. The filter sequence can be fully edited by the user .

A Drumbeat is a two-measure rhythm pattern that also contains any other drum- related parameters, such as drum mix and drum sound selection. The drum sound can be independent of the Preset, or a portion of the drums can feed the filter or delay. The AdrenaLinn contains 200 Drumbeats. There are 100 factory Drumbeats and 100 user Drumbeats. Each Drumbeats contains 32 steps, normally played as 2 measures of 1/16 notes. Each step contains bass, snare, hi-hat, and percussion voices. For each Drumbeat a selection of alternate sounds is available for these parts. The instrument mix, stereo placement and other parameters are editable.

The Controls
The AdrenaLinn is deceptively sophisticated. There are many parameters and functions available to the user, in fact, too many to cover in the space we have here so we will focus on the basics.

The first control is the input 1evel. This a very small rotary pot that controls the instrument's input level. Just to the right of this control is a peak LED which is used to indicate if the instrument's input gain is overloaded.
The next set of controls is four knobs whose primary functions are printed above each knob.

Preset: Selects the active preset.
Drumbeat: Selects the active drumbeat.
Tempo: Varies the playing tempo.
Volume: Adjusts the output volume.
The four knobs also serve a secondary function. By pressing the Main button, holding it for a moment and then releasing it, the four knobs change function and now control the following parameters-
Bypass Preset: Controls the Bypass foot switch function. There are three options available.
Dir-Amp/Gate: Optimizes the AdrenaLinn's sound for different amp and mixer situations.
Use Drumbt Tempo: Selects the tempo the AdrenaLinn follows when you select a drumbeat. There are two options available.
Balance/Sep: Controls the mix of the instrument (Preset) signal and the Drumbeat. The lower corners of the AdrenaLinn contain two foot switches. The first switch Start, functions as a start/stop switch for the drumbeat and the filter sequence. When held down momentarily, the switch performs additional functions. The second switch Bypass, serves as a bypass. When held down momentarily, this switch also performs additional functions.

When the Edit button is pushed, the AdrenaLinn goes into edit mode and the four knobs become controls for editing. The parameters to be edited are written on the face of the AdrenaLinn along with an LED indicator for each. The parameters to be edited are positioned in four rows with eight presets per row. At the top of each row is one of the four knobs. They are grouped into the following three categories:

The row that contains the parameter that you want to edit is selected with two buttons which represent an up arrow and a down arrow. At the beginning of each of the eight rows there is an LED which gives visual feedback as to which row is selected. Adjustments are made using the knob at the top of the row that contains the selected parameter.
The last control is a button that when pushed, allows the 8-by-4 matrix to act as a 32-step sequencer for programming the filter sequence or, alternatively, the drum sequence. The AdrenaLinn also supports extensive MIDI control and editing.

The Sound
So how does the AdrenaLinn sound? The quality of the audio output from the AdrenaLinn is excellent and exhibits very low noise. The sampled drums as you would suspect from Roger Linn, are very good.
There are many variations of instrument sounds as well as preset grooves. There are twelve different amp models and they sound simply amazing for a device in this price range.

The synchronized filter effects combined with synchronized delays give a broad spectrum of unique effects. When the Drumbeats, amp models, synchronized filter effects, and synchronized delays are combined with tremolo, vibrato, flanging, volume swells, auto-wah, envelope wah, and other effects, a truly unique and original sound is created.

Conclusions
It is rare, but once in a while, in an industry overflowing with guitar FX processors and gadgets, a new and different type of device for creating unique and exciting sound colors from the guitar appears. The AdrenaLinn is just such a device: it is amazing and unique. (No real surprise, though: included in the design team with Roger Linn, is Tom Oberheim, founder of Oberheim synthesizers and Dave Smith, founder of Sequential circuits. What a team!).

While I was going through the parameters for this review, I kept going off into creative utopia because the sounds and effects were so inspiring. The manual -written by Linn and Craig Anderton- is informative and easy to read.

If you are looking for a processor that will contribute to the creation of a new and original sound for your guitar, bass of even keyboard, you have to check this box out. You will be blown away. You will also be blown away with its low price. At US $395.00, the AdrenaLmn is a real winner. A thumbs up to Roger Linn on this one!