Instrument Review - Realistic Concertmate Rhythm Box

There is something about vintage rhythm machines that make them attractive to some musicians.  To me there is a pleasing aesthetic value from that faux wood grain, various buttons or switches, blinking lights, and of course, that sound that doesn't really sound like the instrument it imitates yet gets the point across so well.  Some vintage rhythm machines do a great job.  The kick has enough bass while the noise and decay of the snare, cymbals, and hi-hats are different enough to make three different instruments that do not seem to run together in a white noise mess.  

The Realistic Rhythm Box, also known as the Concertmate Electronic Accompanist, was custom manufactured for Radio Shack back in the early eighties and is definitely a nice addition to anyone interested in these vintage sounds.

Build

The device is rather large for a rhythm box of that era, but much of its space seems to be occupied by the large speaker grill.  Unlike earlier organ accompanist devices, this one is made of a nice black hard plastic.  The buttons are highly responsive and are easy to determine if they are depressed or not due to a locking spring mechanism.  The sliders are also very responsive, although one potential problem could arise from their use.  Each slider is beside a scale that shows the volume level or tempo.  While some instruments would have the slider square in the middle, on the Rhythm Box they are off to the side with the button cap extending over the scale.  I imagine if enough torque is applied it could snap but considering the age and condition of mine I highly doubt this would happen unless someone was being real rough. 

Cosmetics

There is really not much to say.  This thing looks more like an answering machine than a rhythm machine.  Everything is clearly labeled.  The buttons have a nice round appearance (except for the rhythm selection that have rectangular buttons) with each having a nice concave top to firmly place your finger tip.  Even the speaker grill isn't that obnoxious - it is simply eleven holes that cut straight across the left side of the unit.  The top and bottom plastic have a glossy texture while the sides are smooth, which may show more scuffs over time.

Sound

The internal speaker on this thing is amazing.  If playing along with a keyboard or organ, this thing can definitely hold its own and when at top volume it doesn't not show it is at its upper limit with any rattling of the case or distorted sounds.  As for the quality of the rhythms and sound, while the rhythms do not appear to be all that creative, they can be combined to create marginally more complex rhythms and the sound definitely sounds full.  The resonance on the tom may be a little too much in my opinion, but just a smidgen.  What really takes away from the quality of the sound is the lack of variation in the rhythms or absence of any "fill" option.  

Features 

This thing is pretty bare bones.  5 rhythms, volume, and tempo.  You can hook it up to a foot switch using what looks like a 3/32" jack that may or may not use a proprietary plug, an 1/8" external speaker jack, and a mono RCA audio out plug.  

Because this device is analog, and the casing is large and spacious, this device may be desirable for the circuit-bending crowd, with enough space on the back for creating separate audio outs for each instrument or space on the top for various pots or CV/gates.   

Overall

Overall, I like this unit because of its simplicity.  While I would love a greater variation in rhythm, with modern editing software you can quickly make up for any deficit this unit has.  The fact that this has a numbered scale for tempo definitely gives this thing a couple points.  While not a huge deal, it beats the guesswork of the plain dials on older rhythm machines.  That, plus the quality of the audio output makes this thing perfect for live performances or analog recording.

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