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

EntertainmentColumnReportThe man behind the legendary MPC, Roger Linn, stays focused with a single browser tabHis advice: Deep breaths, keep it simple, and maybe play a little VR mini golf.byTerrence O’BrienMay 23, 2026, 3:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftRoger Linn lets his accomplishments do the talking.| Image: Roger LinnEntertainmentColumnReportThe man behind the legendary MPC, Roger Linn, stays focused with a single browser tabHis advice: Deep breaths, keep it simple, and maybe play a little VR mini golf.byTerrence O’BrienMay 23, 2026, 3:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftTerrence O’Brienis the Verge‚Äôs weekend editor. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget.Roger Linn is a legend in the world of musical instruments. He‚Äôs 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, theLinnDrum, is one of the most iconic drum machines of all time. They were used on countless records in the 1980s, including hits byTom Petty,Queen, andTears for Fears. But the most notable fan was probably Prince, who used them extensively onPurple Rainand1999.Somehow, those are not his greatest contributions to the music world. That would, undoubtedly, be theMPC. Linn partnered with Akai to create one of the most popular and important samplers ever. The MPC60 and its successors became thetoolofchoiceforcountlesship-hopandhouseproducers.J Dilla‚Äôs MPC 3000even sits in the Smithsonian.Roger Linn was also an early adopter of MPE, or MIDI polyphonic expression. It‚Äôs a key feature of hisLinnStrument, an expressive 3D controller released in 2014 ‚Äî three years before the Association of Musical Electronics Industry (AMEI)officially releasedthe MPE standard. Turns out the man stays so innovative by keeping things simple and focused.What is your most indispensable tool?My MacBook Pro.Which is the most underappreciated?My Vision Pro. I called it the most amazing product I rarely use.What is the first app you install on a new phone or computer?On a computer, Rhino3D.What is one thing you wish you could change about your phone?Apple Mail‚Äôs bugs.What sites do you have pinned to your tab bar?New York Times.How many tabs do you have open right now?One. This document.Which social media platform do you use the most (if any)?I don‚Äôt use social media except to announce my monthly ‚ÄúAll Things LinnStrument‚Äù email newsletter.What is your happy place online?A VR app for the Meta Quest called Walkabout Mini Golf. It was a large number of artistically created open VR worlds that offer a surprising level of beauty from the Quest 3‚Äôs limited power. I go there to play a game of mini golf, fly around, or meet friends in a private instance of a particular world.What is your favorite gadget you‚Äôve ever owned?I don‚Äôt know about ‚Äúever‚Äù, but these days it‚Äôs VR headsets, currently the Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro.Which was the most disappointing?In general, I‚Äôm disappointed by products that are designed by engineers who assume their customers are engineers.What game do you have the fondest memories of?Myst.Which tech trend do you wish would go away?Spam.What creation are you most proud of?LinnStrument.What‚Äôs the best piece of advice you‚Äôve ever received?Keep it simple.What is your current obsession?VR.What do you do when you need to focus?Breathe. Calm down.What do you do when you‚Äôre feeling stuck?I try to shift my perspective.When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?I never go anywhere without my phone. Maybe swimming.What‚Äôs the last piece of physical media you bought?That would be a long time ago. I‚Äôve only bought books, music, films, etc. in digital form for a long time.What do you think is worth splurging on?If someone made a VR headset with retina resolution, very high power, lots of beautiful open worlds, but it was expensive, I‚Äôd probably buy it.What would the tagline for your biopic be?‚ÄúHe created tools that allowed musicians to make better music.‚ÄùWhat‚Äôs the last GIF or meme you used?This isn‚Äôt a GIF, but maybe it‚Äôs a meme:( Õ°¬∞ Õú ñ Õ°¬∞)Follow topics and authorsfrom this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Terrence O’BrienColumnEntertainmentInterviewMusicReportMost PopularMost PopularGoogle‚Äôs new anything-to-anything AI model is wildIf I could only have one laptop for work and gaming, I‚Äôd get this oneApple‚Äôs latest MacBook Air is $200 off in both sizes for Memorial DayThe man behind the legendary MPC, Roger Linn, stays focused with a single browser tabI have a new go-to browserThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to ourTermsandPrivacy Notice.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the GooglePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Serviceapply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad