Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 Review: Pros, Cons, and Is It Worth It?

The Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 is a professional-grade metronome designed for the demands of live performance and studio recording. This in-depth review explores its key features and functionality, offering a comprehensive assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. We'll delve into its build quality, ease of use, and versatility, ultimately determining whether this metronome is a worthwhile investment for musicians of all levels. From its robust construction to its advanced features, we’ll examine every aspect to help you decide if the RW200 is the right choice for your needs.This review covers the RW200's impressive capacity for storing and recalling up to 30 custom click tracks, its compatibility with footswitches for hands-free operation, and its versatile mounting options. We'll also discuss its unique features such as the ability to disable accents and the convenient eight-bar preview mode. Finally, we'll weigh the pros and cons, including the limited sound options and power jack placement, to provide a balanced perspective on this popular metronome.

Pros And Cons

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Build Quality and Durability

The Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 boasts impressive build quality. After several months of use and numerous gigs, it remains robust and durable. The included hard case provides extra protection during transport. Even accidental drops haven't fazed its sturdy construction.

This metronome is clearly designed to withstand the rigors of live performance and travel. Its resilience is a significant advantage for working musicians. The durable design ensures it will last through many shows and sessions.

The robust build quality inspires confidence in its longevity and reliability.

Programming and Click Track Options

A standout feature is the ability to program up to 30 different click tracks. This allows for versatile use across various songs and tempos. Each click track can be customized for tempo and subdivisions, making it invaluable for live performances.

For example, the reviewer used this feature during a recent gig with a band playing various time signatures and tempos. Having pre-programmed clicks for each song streamlined the setup significantly.

This eliminates the need for constant adjustments between songs. The organization is simple and efficient, saving valuable time during live performances.

Footswitch Functionality

The RW200's compatibility with a footswitch (though not included) is a highly useful feature. This allows for hands-free start/stop control of the metronome. This is particularly helpful for seamless transitions between songs or during slowdowns.

The reviewer uses a Boss footswitch, and appreciates the ability to stop the click during song endings that require a smooth slowdown. This hands-free control adds to the overall performance experience.

For musicians who require precise timing control, the footswitch is a welcome addition.

Mounting Options and Placement

The Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 offers mounting capabilities, though the bracket is sold separately. This allows for convenient placement on various stands (such as a hi-hat stand or mixer stand). The reviewer uses a clamp for easy attachment.

Having the metronome within easy reach improves accessibility during performances. The reviewer's chosen method of mounting ensures easy access and visibility.

This customizability is a key advantage, allowing musicians to position the metronome based on their individual setup preferences.

Accent and Tempo Control

Unlike many metronomes that always accent the first beat, the RW200 allows for disabling accents. This versatility is highly beneficial for songs with varying time signatures or unconventional rhythmic structures.

The reviewer highlights how this is beneficial when dealing with complex songs, eliminating potential rhythmic confusion caused by an accent in the wrong place. The absence of accents adds flexibility.

This feature offers a level of control not found in many comparable metronomes, making it suitable for a wider variety of musical styles and complexities.

Tempo Setting and Eight-Bar Preview

The RW200 offers an eight-bar preview mode. After setting the tempo, the click disappears after eight bars. This allows for internalizing the tempo before starting the performance without relying on the click throughout.

While not essential for all users, this function can be beneficial for musicians who prefer to establish a tempo internally. It's a useful feature for those who prefer to internalize the tempo.

The eight-bar preview gives the musician a chance to feel the rhythm before fully committing to playing with the metronome.

Tap Tempo and Wheel Adjustment

The RW200 provides both tap tempo and a physical wheel for tempo adjustment. Tap tempo is crucial for quickly setting tempos on the fly. The wheel allows for fine-tuning during performance.

These features ensure adaptability to diverse situations. The combination of tap tempo and wheel adjustment provides a flexible approach to tempo control.

This flexibility is essential for musicians who require both precise and quick tempo adjustments, catering to various performance needs.

Power Options

The Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 can run on either a 9-volt battery or a 9-volt power supply. This dual power option ensures performance reliability even without ready access to mains power.

The reviewer prefers the mains power for consistent reliability. The option to use a battery provides backup for situations without wall power.

Having both power options eliminates the risk of power failure interrupting a performance.

Minor Cons

The RW200 has only two sound options for the click. While functional, the reviewer suggests that more sound choices would improve the customization possibilities. Some drummers might find this limitation a drawback.

Additionally, the placement of the power input jack might be improved for mounting. It is inconvenient when using a clamp mount, taking up extra space.

These drawbacks are relatively minor and do not significantly detract from the overall functionality of the product.

Conclusion: Is the Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 Worth It?

Overall, the Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 is a highly versatile and durable metronome. Its many features, including programmable click tracks, footswitch compatibility, and multiple tempo setting options, make it a valuable tool for both live and studio settings. While some minor drawbacks exist, such as the limited click sounds and power jack placement, they are outweighed by its many benefits.

The robust construction and multiple features make it an excellent investment for serious musicians and teachers. The convenience of pre-programmed clicks and hands-free control makes it a significant asset in a busy performance environment.

At approximately $90 USD, the Tama Rhythm Watch RW200 offers great value for its functionality and durability. I highly recommend this metronome.