Linkin Park Singer Reveals Rock’s Secret Instrument

While the electric guitar is probably the most common instrument associated with rock music, Mike Shinoda says there’s another one of equal importance that usually isn’t discussed: the personal computer.

The Linkin Park singer-guitarist says there’s really no difference between a computer and an electronic keyboard — and keyboards are considered musical instruments.

“The keyboard is just a MIDI interface, series of MIDI input receptors feeding information to an internal computer,” Shinoda says. “So there’s really no difference, theoretically, between pressing notes on a keyboard or hitting a drum pad, and that going to a thing that makes noises, versus your computer.”

Shinoda goes on to say he’s been using his computer to “chop up audio” for Linkin Park’s music since the band first formed.