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Boss RC-500 Loop Station Compact Phrase Recorder Pedal

Two-track Looper Pedal with 13 Hours' Stereo Record Time, XLR and 1/4-inch Inputs, Color LCD, MIDI I/O, USB Import/Export, and Onboard Rhythm Tracks
$349.99

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Boss RC-500 Loop Station Compact Phrase Recorder Pedal
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2-track Stereo Mic/Instrument Looper with Drums, MIDI, and 13 Hours' Record Time

The RC-500 Loop Station builds on the massively popular BOSS RC-30 2-track looper, adding MIDI capability, an animated color LCD, spicier onboard drums, and more stereo record time than you'll know what to do with. From beatboxers and guitar players to keyboardists and singer/songwriters, if you're looking for a creative launchpad for writing songs at home and building loops in the live environment, the BOSS RC-500 makes the perfect addition to your setup. Record and overdub onto the RC-500's two independent tracks, then toggle, blend, and mix to your heart's content. Onboard Loop FX (Beat, Repeat, Shift, Scatter, and Vinyl) let you add texture to loops for greater variation. The BOSS RC-500 Loop Station gives you 13 hours of flawless 32-bit stereo record time parceled out into 99 recallable Phrase Memories. Phrase Memories store not only base loops and overdubs you've laid down, but also Loop FX and any of the 114 onboard drum grooves and 16 drum kits you've chosen for accompaniment. Thanks to the RC-500's USB connection, you can easily backup and reload loops by the setful. The animated RGB backlit LCD keeps you apprised of measure, beat, and loop status every step of the way. Looking for more control? The RC-500 also gives you stereo ins and outs, an assignable external footswitch/expression pedal port, and even TRS-MIDI in/out for sync with drum machines and remote operation from your pedalboard MIDI switcher.

The Loop Station has 13 hours of 32-bit stereo record time*

When inspiration strikes, you can count on BOSS's RC-500 Loop Station to capture those fleeting moments of musical creativity. Loops and overdubs are recorded in flawless 32-bit depth to preserve the full dynamics of your performance without the presence of additional noise or overloading. Whether you're using the RC-500's 99 Phrase Memories to generate playback material on the stage or archiving your studio-worthy song ideas for further review and arrangement, the RC-500 delivers the run time and quality you're searching for.

*Maximum single track length: 1.5 hours

99 Phrase Memories + USB backup

As anyone with a looper will tell you, those memory slots store up fast. That's why the BOSS RC-500 gives you not only 99 Phrase Memories for instant recall — each complete with overdubs, Loop FX, and rhythm presets — but USB import/export as well. So when you need to offload loops from your solo acoustic shows to make way for your Eddie Money-tribute sax lines, swapping out files is as easy as dragging and dropping.

Animated color LCD

Traditional loopers leave you in the dark when it comes to loop arrangement. But not the BOSS RC-500 Loop Station. Its animated RGB LCD screen keeps you apprised of beat, measure, and record (red)/playback (green) status. This visual reference lets you interact with loops in powerful new ways.

Battery or wall powered

When you just want a looper you can run into your amp without additional cables, the RC-500 Loop Station's AA battery support pays off in a major way. Get up to 3-1/2 hours of run time on four AA batteries. Or for more permanent pedalboard setups, run the RC-500 long-term on a standard 9-volt center-negative power supply, such as the Roland PSA-S (not included).

114 built-in drum patterns make this looper pedal a portable band

When you're laying down a rhythm part, a backbeat can galvanize your grooves like nothing else. The RC-500 gives you 57 different rhythm tracks, each with A/B variations, which can be auditioned back through your choice of 16 drum kits. Application is simple: tap in a tempo directly on the RC-500 as you create a loop, then just engage the Rhythm On/Off button for instant accompaniment.

Onboard rhythm reverb takes this looper pedal to the next level

Love ambient drums? You can assign the RC-500 Loop Station's rich onboard digital reverb to rhythm tracks for added depth and dimensionality. Reverb settings can be saved along with kit choice to the RC-500's 99 Phrase Memories.

MIDI and expression ports

Advanced features that set the RC-500 further apart from its contemporaries include TRS-MIDI in/out jacks (for remote control or beat sync with external devices) and a flexible expression/footswitch port, which can be assigned to any number of the RC-500's major functions: record start/stop, wet/dry mix, and more. Looking for a 2-track looper pedal with familiar BOSS simplicity? Consider the BOSS RC-500 Loop Station from Sweetwater.

BOSS RC-500 Loop Station Features:

  • Picks up where the 2-channel RC-30 left off
  • Dual independent loop tracks with channel faders and Loop FX
  • Stereo instrument ins and outs for guitarists to keyboardists
  • Microphone input for vocalists and beatboxers
  • 13 hours of stereo record time
  • Flawless 32-bit/44.1kHz quality
  • 99 Phrase Memories, plus USB import/export
  • Animated color LCD shows measure and beat information as well as record/playback status
  • 114 built-in drum patterns (57 + A/B variations) with 16 drum kits and assignable reverb
  • MIDI and expression ports for remote control, external beat sync, record start/stop, and more
  • Runs off 4 AAA batteries or optional power supply (not included)
  • Support footswitches and expression pedals: FS-5U, FS-6, FS-7, FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, EV-5

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Loop Station
  • Looper: 99 x Phrases, 2-track Looper
  • Looping Time: 1.5 hours (1-track), 13 hours (max memory total)
  • Presets: 57 x Rhythms (2 variations), 16 x Rhythm Kits
  • Effects: Loop FX, Reverb (rhythm parts)
  • Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (A/mono,B), 1 x XLR (mic)
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (A/mono,B)
  • MIDI I/O: 2 x 1/8" TRS (In,Out)
  • USB: 1 x Micro-B
  • Other I/O: 1 x 1/4" TRS (control 1/2,expression)
  • Bypass Switching: Buffered Bypass
  • Storage: WAV file audio (backup via USB)
  • Software: Boss Tone Studio
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
  • Batteries: 4 x AA Batteries
  • Power Usage: 330mA
  • Height: 2.5"
  • Width: 6.75"
  • Depth: 5.43"
  • Weight: 1.9 lbs. (excluding battery)
  • Manufacturer Part Number: RC-500

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Untouchable looper

Hands down the best looper there is on the market. I have always used TC loopers to include the original ditto and the ditto X4. When I bought the Boss RC-500, I finally realized the potential of a looper. The ability to save your tracks alone is worth it. Drums, configurable foot switches, screen, midi control, superior audio quality, mic input, stereo function, I/O level controls, noise suppressor, and many other options that leave all other loopers in the dust. My playing has improved more over the last few months than it had in that learning phase when I first picked up a guitar. And last but not least. The ability to create, and keep creating is most inspiring. Team this up with the boss SY-1 synth pedal and you can create some awesome backing tracks for yourself. Five stars all day long.
Music background: Passionate hobbyist
Rated 4/5

Excellent Looper, needs a better computer app

This looper is really amazing. You can customize the controls in all sorts of ways. There are so many features that it can be overwhelming at first, and the instruction manual doesn't even get close to going over everything. The stereo in/outs work well. I have my guitar running to two different amps from the unit. I really like that you can assign the Loop Track 1, Track 2, input signal and rhythm, all to specific amp outputs. I like to have bass lines and rhythm tracks going through one amp and all other guitar tracks going through a different amp. I like that you can set it to stop at the end of a loop, so you can press stop towards the end of playing, and it'll auto stop right on time. Only feature I can't seem to find that I wish was there, is a 'stop all tracks' and 'reset/delete all tracks'.

The rhythms in this unit are also really good. Lots of preset beats to choose from and each beat has four parts, which you can turn any part on or off. I like being able to turn off everything except for a kick drum, it'll like a better version of a metronome. You can even change the type of drum kit on each beat, very cool.

The only real downside is the app for connecting the RC-500 to a computer. The Boss "Tone Studio" app is terrible, it feels like it was made by Boss in the mid 2000's. Features that really need to be included in the Tone Studio App... you should be able to re-name your loops in the app. You can do this on the device, but it has to be done with a single scroll knob and takes forever to type even a short word. The app doesn't even show the names of tracks that you've meticulously labeled in the device either. There are some preset backing tracks you can download from Boss, which are nice, except the levels of these tracks are wayyy too loud. If you have your guitar at a reasonable level, then press play on the backing track, it comes through at deafening levels. It should have some auto-leveling or be able to be saved at a reduced volume. You should be able to control the settings in the app as well. Boss makes great hardware, but they should really up their investment in software.
Rated 5/5

Boss RC500 is a great looper

The answer to my looping problems . Most i didn't know i had
Rated 5/5

Boss rc500

The unit has become my performance tool. It sounds good. Some times it tricky to program but it works
Music background: Music teacher
Rated 5/5

BOSS RC500 LOOPER

It's a great machine. I've never used a looper of this caliber before. I'm really enjoying my creativity and sound. It has helped me to practice more and also fine tune my technique. It's a great machine!
Music background: Bassist
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