Realistic Concertmate-500

The Realistic Concertmate-500 is a sampling keyboard that is the same keyboard as the Casio SK-1, but is under a different name as this was sold at Radio Shack (Realistic was a Radio Shack brand). The Concertmate-500 is pretty hard to find, at least more hard to find than the SK-1 is. Although I haven't used the two of them side by side, as far as I know they're the same exact keyboards with the same controls and all. It's got a built in mic for sampling purposes and the sampling is just 8 bit, so it's pretty down and dirty. I don't know the connections that it has off the top of my head, but all you really need to know is that you can take a signal out of it when necessary.

UTILIZATION

The Realistic Concertmate-500 has a number of features beyond the sampling, but I've really only used it for the sampler. It does have a number of built in sounds and drum loops, all of which are incredibly cheesy. However, navigating around it's setting controls isn't difficult at all as it's all in layman's terms and after playing around with it for a little while users should be able to become accustomed to it. I don't think the manual is necessary, but one should be readily available if needed.

OVERALL OPINION

Again, beyond the sampler itself, the sounds on the Realistic Concertmate-500 are deifnitely pretty cheesy, but I can see them being useful in situations where you might be looking for some cheesy synth sounds. Of course almost everyone is going to be using the Concertmate-500 for it's sampler, and that's definitely where this is going to be most useful. Even though the sampler only takes in what you give it at an 8 bit and 9 kHz rate, it's kind of part of it's charm...

9.38 kHz sampling frequency
8 bit
1.4 seconds of sampling
Holds one sample
32 mini keys
13 envelope shapes
portamento
vibrato
11 drum patterns: disco, rock, pop, march, samba, bossa nova, rhumba, 4 beat, swing, slow rock, waltz
additive synth section.
5 PCM tones: piano, brass ensemble, trumpet, synth drums, human voice
3 synth tones: flute, pipe organ, jazz organ
Sequencer: 400 steps of programming or polyphonic 99 chord sequence with step 198 and steps EACH of Two solo voices.
Sample sequence and loses all memory When turned off.

UTILIZATION

No MIDI but there are websites that offer to modify it to have a MIDI input, new sounds, etc..

For editing sounds when there's no simple, one touch of a button for the sound chosen.
There's like 8 sonnorits was going fast.
A function can "gnrer" sound but I know not well this function (I just have this afternoon ........ lol)

For sample c trs simple, one button is pressed on balance the sampling source (microphone or line) and voila APRS is pressing the buttons to start the sounds of several octaves.

The edition of this envelope trs trs ppuis simply press the envelope followed by the envelope chosen Tuocha ....... there's no easier said j'vous

For the manual I have not yet but he has only 4 pages and frankly y'en not even need.

OVERALL OPINION

All sounds are from the Casio SK-1. In fact it is the same synth as the SK-1 except that the brand changes .......; but the rest is identical ........... fortunately
Then sonnorits is the main point for which I buy this synthsampleur (by the way I pay 50 Euros) because it's lo-fi, and frankly sounds like a cheap has been severe. Game sound is really Boy.Faut you hear the sounds of the rhythms are excellent. About a soundfont exists and is findable on the net.

There's APRS mode portamento is not bad and that adds a very nice small size to her.
Now I hate to test with a small effect drrire to see what can give a sound with this accabis