At the suggestion of Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro, Linn recorded samples of real drums to a computer chip. By the late 1970s, the technology required to store and play samples had become small and affordable enough to use in his drum machine. As the samples were digital, they would not degrade like those of earlier devices, such as the Chamberlin Rhythmate, which used tape loops. Cymbal sounds were not included, due to the cost of long sound samples. Linn said he could not recall who played the drum hits recorded as samples; possibilities include Porcaro's brother Jeff (also of Toto) and Motown session drummer James Gadson.