Don’t pigeonhole the new BOSS RC-505mkII as just a tool for beatboxers, a live weapon for singer-songwriters, or a studio fixture for session players. The latest generation of BOSS Loop Station is all of the above and much more. It adapts itself to the unique musical worldview of each musician who picks it up. The latest addition to the RC series has blown the possibilities of looping wide open. But what’s new, and where could BOSS’s best-ever tabletop looper take your music? If you’ve yet to discover the possibilities of the RC-505mkII, it’s time to bring you into the loop.
Rise of the Tabletop Looper
Looping has always been a renegade art form. Therefore, it makes sense that the BOSS Loop Station series has continually shed its skin since 2001. In that time, the series has offered different formats and functionality to suit every breed of musician. When you picture a Loop Station, perhaps you see a compact red stompbox, always at the toe of your boot as you create cascades of solo guitar. Or, maybe you conjure an image of a multi-switch pedalboard.
"A tabletop looper offers precise control over loops while unlocking features unfeasible with footwork alone."
But in more recent times, a growing wave of modern musicians have sworn allegiance to the tabletop looper. The fundamental explanation is simple. Unlike its floor-based brethren, this looper type goes on a stand or desktop. Users operate it manually, making it ideal for—but not limited to—vocalists, producers, DJs, and beatboxers. The unit is equally appropriate for working at home, in the studio, or on a stage.
The Roots of the RC-505mkII
Sequels are a notoriously difficult undertaking. With this in mind, the new BOSS RC-505mkII might be one the finest follow-ups of all time. To appreciate why this tabletop looper is such a quantum leap, you need to slip back to 2013. Once there, revisit the original RC-505 that gave the looping scene its biggest shot in the arm.
With the rise of artists like Ed Sheeran and KT Tunstall, music fans viewed looping as something guitarists did with their feet. The RC-505 changed all that overnight. It offered a tabletop format. This development allowed beatboxers and stars like Ariana Grande and The Voice Australia-winner Sam Perry to layer up solo symphonies.
"Looping was something guitarists did with their feet. The RC-505 changed all that overnight."
It’s no coincidence that the revered Swissbeatbox platform held its very first Loop Station battle the same year as the RC-505 appeared in music stores. As the site’s CEO, Andreas ‘Pepouni’ Fraefel, remembers, “It was a game-changer.”
Introducing the RC-505mkII
But starting revolutions is not enough. At BOSS, the evolution of the Loop Station series is just as important. Launched in 2016, the two-track RC-202 placed pro performance in an ultra-compact unit. But in summer 2021, the looping landscape shifted once again. The first RC-505mkII units shipped out to a panel of musicians running the gamut of genres. Their verdict was unanimous. “The 505 had its limits, after all these years,” says French beatboxer Robin. “But with this new machine, it’s like a rebirth.”
Scan the specs of the BOSS RC-505 alongside the new RC-505mkII, and it’s clear the best features remain. Both units offer the same head-turning vibe and road-tough chassis. Plus, the five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks and 99 phrase memories are intact. But drill into the features to see why the new breed demands this next level of looping technology.
Added Tools for Ambitious Music-Making
Whatever your genre, whatever your vibe, high-quality audio that pops in the mix is non-negotiable. While the original RC-505 delivered processing power ahead of its time, the RC-505mkII leaps into the future. It offers 32-bit AD/DA and 32-bit floating-point processing to inspire creativity.
"While a Loop Station is the ultimate tool for splicing grooves and chopping timings, the onboard effects are for the rebels."
Loopers are mavericks by nature. While a Loop Station is the ultimate tool for splicing grooves and chopping timings, the onboard effects are for the rebels. The RC-505 had an impressive effects palette and allowed users to engage three simultaneously. By contrast, the new RC-505mkII is more like a rainbow, offering 49 Input FX types and 53 Track FX types that include new vocal harmony effects. You can use up to four effects in each section at once. Plus, recall them from four intuitive banks without missing a beat.
Greater Control, Smoother Workflow
Possibly you’ll use the RC-505mkII as a studio device, a live tool, or the heart of your home production setup. In each scenario, no tabletop looper beats this new Loop Station’s user-ready precision. Take control with uprated faders that offer increased durability and allow for fine adjustments.
"Modern musicians often pinball between stage, studio, practice space, and home writing session on the same day."
Color or control loops in real-time with dedicated FX and Track buttons. Thanks to the new Mark Back function, you never have to lose an idea. The feature lets you jump back to a recent loop without breaking your flow. Best of all, drilling into these deeper features feels as intuitive as fretting a note or singing a melody.
Expanded Inputs for Bolder Setups
From beatboxers on the mic to multi-instrumentalist soundscape artists, there’s no stereotypical looping musician. The original RC-505 was a playground for every stripe of musician. It offered an XLR mic input with phantom power, plus mono/stereo instrument inputs and stereo AUX input.
The new RC-505mkII maxes out connectivity, creating a one-stop setup. Now, you can expand vocal performances with twin XLR mic inputs. Bring in guitars or other devices with two mono/stereo line input pairs. Control every element via an input mixer with two mic compressors and independent EQs for all channels. There’s even the option of hooking up the FS-6 dual footswitch for all those features underfoot.
Enhanced Outputs for Changing Environments
Modern musicians find themselves in shifting scenarios. They often pinball between the stage, studio, practice space, and home writing session on the same day. With its enhanced outputs, the RC-505mkII caters to them all. You’ll find three stereo output pairs and an output mixer.
"From beatboxers on the mic to multi-instrumentalist soundscape artists, there’s no stereotypical looping musician."
There are also assignable routing options, a master reverb, and compressor effects. Users can even customize the headphones output to monitor individual tracks and rhythm sounds. In addition, USB connectivity allows integration with DAWs and the import/export of WAV loops from BOSS Tone Studio.
Looping Without Limits
Get hands-on with the latest RC, and discover that using a tabletop looper is an entirely fresh musical experience. It provides tactile and precise control over loops while unlocking features unfeasible with footwork alone. Indeed, the BOSS RC series blazed a trail for this format since the start. Still, there’s never been a tabletop looper as powerful or flexible as the RC-505mkII.
