BOSS RC-500 Loop Station

The Boss RC-500 Loop Station is a two-track stereo looper with superior sound quality (32-bit AD/DA converters, 32-bit processor, 44.1 kHz sample rate), 13 hours of recording time, a user-friendly interface with a backlit multi-color LCD display, 99 memories for your loops, 57 preset rhythm accompaniments with A/B variations, and support for control via external switches, expression pedal or MIDI.

Featuring two mono/stereo instrument inputs and an XLR microphone input (with optional phantom power), the RC-500 Loop Station is a great tool for songwriters, buskers, multi-instrumentalists and anyone who needs more space and options to bring their musical ideas to life. You can use tracks independently or simultaneously to create rich sonic textures.

All basic functions (play, record, overdub, undo/redo, stop and track switching) can be easily controlled with the three looper switches. However, the RC-500 offers much more advanced control options, allowing you to connect two external footswitches to which you can assign your chosen functions, or an expression pedal. Owners of souped-up rigs will appreciate the MIDI In/Out interface for remote control from MIDI switches/floor controllers and MIDI sync with drum machines and DAWs.

Anyone who has ever played with a band or practiced with a clicker (or, much to their delight, been introduced to it while recording in the studio) knows how beneficial rhythm accompaniment is to their playing. The Boss RC-500 makes the most of this by offering 16 drum kits, 57 preset rhythm accompaniments with grooves in a wide range of musical styles and Reverse functions. Further variety is provided by the effects you can apply to the looper loop (Beat Repeat, Beat Shift, Beat Scatter, Vinyl Flick).

The Looper's 99 user memories allow you to save a recorded productive session/jam including the selected rhythmic accompaniment and drum kit. Loops can be backed up to your computer via USB and imported in WAV format into BOSS Tone Studio. This makes it easy to create backing tracks for your performances, tracks for jamming or backing tracks for lessons in the looper.

The looper is wired as a buffered bypass. Power is supplied by a 9V adapter (not included) or four AA batteries.