Iconic Instruments has partnered with legendary producer Steve Levine to create Levine’s Machine software series. The series recreates some of the most-used hardware from Steve’s studio in the virtual realm, and Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine is the first installment.
Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine is an authentic recreation of Steve’s LM-1 drum machine. The Linn LM-1 sound appears on countless hits from the 1980s, and this particular machine is all over Culture Club’s first 3 albums and countless other ’80s hit records mentioned.
During the intro sale, you can grab Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine for $79 before it returns to a regular price of $99 when the sale ends.
Iconic Instruments has taken a slightly different angle with Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine to make it stand out from other vintage drum emulations on the market. Rather than a straight emulation, it’s more of a step inside Steve’s studio.
First and foremost, the sound is excellent; I really like it!
Iconic Instruments nailed the sound. It sounds authentic and instantly gives off the LM-1 vibe. But the sound capabilities don’t stop there.
Each drum has a dedicated channel strip featuring elements from some of Steve’s favorite hardware units, including a drive circuit, compressor/limiter, transient controls, and a British-style four-band EQ.
The fact that we have this emulation coming from an LM-1 unit will already appeal to some, but there’s even more value in having this compact mix environment that comes straight from Steve Levine’s workflow.
The LM-1 has an iconic sound, and Steve is a master of getting the most out of it.
As well as the mixing features, Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine has a built-in sequencer with 20 of Steve’s mix and pattern presets. You can build your own presets from scratch or use Steve’s signature sound as a starting point to customize and transform.
The interface is divided into two areas: the drum machine at the top and the effects at the bottom. This makes adding color to the drum sounds easy without jumping from one external plugin to another.
Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine offers something different, so even if you have a Linn emulation, check it out. If you’re starting from scratch and looking to add a virtual LM-1 to your arsenal, it’s a great option; it sounds absolutely killer!
FYI – the installation is simple; there’s no plugin manager, but CodeMeter will run in the background to clear the serial.
Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine is available in 64-bit AU, VST, and AAX formats for macOS (10.15 and higher) and Windows (10 and higher).
Check out the deal: Levine’s Machines – Drum Machine (Intro price – $79 / Regular price – $99)
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Last Updated on May 14, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
