The Roger Linn Design AdrenaLinn 1, released in 2002, represented a groundbreaking shift in guitar processing by merging a multi-effects unit, an amp modeller, and a drum machine into a single rhythmic powerhouse. It was the debut product from Roger Linn’s own company, developed in collaboration with synth pioneers Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim. This pedigree is evident in its unique architecture, which treats the guitar signal less like a traditional pedal and more like an oscillator in a modular synthesizer.
At its core, the AdrenaLinn 1 is famous for its beat-synced filter effects. Unlike a standard wah or tremolo, it features a 32-step programmable sequencer that allows users to create rhythmic patterns, filtered grooves, and arpeggio-style sequences that lock perfectly to the internal drum machine or an external MIDI clock. This "tempo-synced" approach allowed guitarists to achieve pulsing, synth-like textures previously only available to electronic musicians.
Beyond its rhythmic capabilities, the unit provides a suite of 10 amplifier models, ranging from vintage Fender cleans to high-gain Mesa Boogie distortions. These are paired with a built-in drum machine featuring 100 factory beats and 100 user slots. The hardware itself is compact, housed in a blue aluminum chassis with a minimalist interface consisting of four rotary encoders and a three-digit LED display, requiring users to navigate a printed matrix on the faceplate to edit parameters.
The device gained legendary status through its adoption by high-profile artists, most notably John Mayer, who used its distinct filter-sequence tones on tracks like "Bigger Than My Body" and "Heartbreak Warfare." It also found its way into the rigs of Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers. While the original AdrenaLinn 1 was eventually superseded by the AdrenaLinn II and III—which offered more processing power and refined amp models—the original remains a sought-after piece of gear for its specific lo-fi charm and its role in defining the "rhythmic guitar" sound.