If you’re getting into looping, then it has to be BOSS. Still, a more challenging decision is which Loop Station is right for you. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear view of the range and be ready to choose the perfect pedal for your rig. No two looping artists are alike, but whoever you are and whatever you play, BOSS’s Loop Station range has you covered.
Loop Legacy
Nothing represents the rebel spirit of the modern music scene better than the BOSS Loop Station. In 2001, the new millennium was ignited by the touchdown of the trailblazing RC-20. The unit’s real-time looping, layering, and playback features let solo performers summon epic symphonies and sparked a cultural movement overnight.
Some predicted the looping phenomenon would burn bright and fast and that its star players would eventually run out of tricks. But a quarter-century later, the revelation is that the BOSS Loop Station remains at the cutting edge of music creation, pushed ever further for gigging and recording by rolling generations of guitarists, singers, producers, beatboxers, percussionists, YouTubers, and more.
Through it all, BOSS has kept pace with the looping scene, listening hard to the demands of its latest practitioners and creating the hardware to deliver the sounds in their heads. From just one unit back in 2001, the Loop Station range now comprises no fewer than eight, each with its own features, specialties, and target audience. No other brand has such a presence in studios and stage setups worldwide.
Loop Station Overview
RC-1
Compact, keenly priced, and incredibly easy to operate, the RC-1 is the ideal entry point for first-time loopers. Record, playback, overdub, and undo/redo loops, all in real time, with a tap of your foot. Capture all your best ideas with 12 minutes of stereo recording time and keep control of your performance at a glance with the highly visual 24-segment LED loop indicator.
Best for: Guitarists, bassists, keyboardists
Skill level: Beginner
RC-5
Keeping the RC-1’s convenient stompbox format but adding more creative features, the RC-5 offers professional 32-bit sound, intuitive operation, and inspiring onboard tools, including fifty rhythms, 13 hours of stereo recording, and ninety-nine phrase memories. The simple operation will suit first-timers, but with USB and MIDI connectivity, the RC-5 won’t quickly be outgrown on the stage or as a recording tool.
Best for: Guitarists, live performers
Skill level: Beginner/intermediate
RC-10R
Specializing in adding accompaniment to your loops, the RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station makes writing sessions and performances more spontaneous and inspired thanks to twin stereo tracks, expanded control via external switches and MIDI, plus a vast rhythm library with 280-plus beats for every genre.
Best for: Singer-songwriters, live performers, guitarists
Skill level: Intermediate
RC-202
Fusing the key features of the flagship RC-505mkII into a compact tabletop unit, the RC-202 puts near-infinite looping possibilities at your fingertips. Get creative and craft DJ and sampler-style effects with four Input FX and Track FX, then save your boldest creations to the onboard memory, ready to wow the next club night.
Best for: Club performers, electronic musicians, beatboxers, producers, YouTubers
Skill level: Intermediate
RC-500
Featuring twin loop tracks, mic and stereo inputs, onboard rhythms, and dynamic Loop FX, it’s simple to craft ambitious real-time compositions. Meanwhile, the optional expansion of the RC-500 using MIDI and external controls lets experimental creators follow their musical vision wherever it leads.
Best for: Guitarists, singer-songwriters, multi-instrumentalists
Skill level: Intermediate
RC-600
As the flagship of the pedal-based Loop Station range, the RC-600 supports multiple mics and instruments with six stereo tracks and premium 32-bit sound, gives precise control via nine assignable footswitches, and lets players craft personalized sounds through USB connectivity and a massive choice of onboard FX.
Best for: Multi-instrumentalists, singer-songwriters, guitarists
Skill level: Intermediate/advanced
RC-505mkII
Building on the specs of the original RC-505, this next-generation tabletop looper is now even more powerful and flexible, supporting on-the-fly music creation with features including five stereo tracks, four simultaneous Input FX and Track FX, expanded I/O, and closer mixing control for ultimate expression.
Best for: Vocalists, beatboxers, producers, YouTubers
Skill level: Intermediate/advanced
Which BOSS Loop Station is Right for Me?
From social media to the club circuit, you’ll find musicians using loopers across the gamut of genres. But while no two looping artists are alike, and every product in the Loop Station lineup is flexible enough to support you as your music-making evolves, it’s essential to be clear on your creative goals before deciding.
Let’s start with some practical questions and how they might direct your choice. Yet, always remember that rules are there to be broken regarding music. If a looper feels like the right fit for your rig, that’s all that matters.
How Much Should I Pay for a Looper?
Cost is a vital consideration for the modern musician counting every last drop of gas in the van. Whatever your budget, you’ll find a Loop Station that suits you. At the top of the line are the RC-600 and RC-505mkII. Mid-priced loopers include the RC-202, RC-10R, and RC-500, while the keenly priced RC-1 offers professional features at a great deal.
At A GLANCE
Highest Price
- RC-600
- RC-505mkII
Mid-priced
- RC-202
- RC-10R
- RC-500
Lowest Price
- RC-5
- RC-1
What Power Source Do I Need for a Looper?
Where you plan to use your Loop Station will dictate the power source you’ll need. The higher-spec models in the range are more likely to be used in professional venues, so they run on mains electricity through an AC adaptor. But because many looping careers start on the street, other Loop Station models, including the RC-5, RC-500, and RC-1, offer the busker-friendly option of using alkaline batteries, with a fresh set lasting several hours, depending on how hard you work.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- AC adaptor
RC-505mkII
- AC adaptor
RC-202
- AC adaptor
RC-10R
- AC adaptor
RC-500
- AC adaptor or AA alkaline battery x 4
RC-5
- AC adaptor or alkaline battery (9V, 6LR61, or 6LF22)
RC-1
- AC adaptor or alkaline battery (9V or 6LR61)
What Size and Weight are Loopers Available In?
While BOSS Loop Stations are designed to be streamlined and compact, it’s worth checking each model’s footprint and weight to ensure it’ll suit the way you make music. If you’re working at home and short on space or dashing between gigs on public transport, stompboxes like the RC-1 and RC-5 might fit the bill. Suppose you’re building a production setup and need a slimmer tabletop unit; size up the RC-505mkII or RC-202. Think about your musical day-to-day and decide accordingly.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- 66 x 435 x 163mm (HxWxD), 2.4kg
RC-505mkII
- 67 x 420 x 234mm (HxWxD), 1.8kg
RC-202
- 55 x 239 x 175mm (HxWxD), 0.95kg
RC-10R
- 63 x 101 x 138mm (HxWxD), 620g
RC-500
- 62 x 170 x 138mm (HxWxD), 950g
RC-5
- 56 x 73 x 129mm (HxWxD), 450g
RC-1
- 59 x 73 x 129mm (HxWxD), 430g
Should I Choose a Loop Pedal or Tabletop?
In the early days of looping, with guitarists and singer-songwriters leading the movement, loopers were available exclusively in a floor-based pedal format. However, with looping becoming ever more popular with artists who use their hands—from DJs to beatboxers and DAW-based producers—tabletop units like the RC-505 and RC-202 are now core members of the lineup. Consider how and where you’ll use your Loop Station and choose the format that makes sense.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- Pedal
RC-505mkII
- Tabletop
RC-202
- Tabletop
RC-10R
- Pedal
RC-500
- Pedal
RC-5
- Stompbox
RC-1
- Stompbox
What Features Do I Need from my Loop Station?
Loop Station functionality has taken quantum leaps over the last quarter-century, and you might not even realize the capabilities of the modern range. Here are some features to factor in before making your choice.
Recording Time
This all-important stat tells you how much audio your looper pedal can record. As a first-timer, you might start with a simple four-bar chord sequence, but you’ll probably grow more ambitious and won’t want recording time to hold you back. As such, while even the RC-1 punches above its weight with a twelve-minute capacity, at the top end of the Loop Station range, you’ll find massive recording capacity, with the RC-600 and RC-505mkII offering a maximum of thirteen hours.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- 1.5 hours (one track) or 13 hours (total of all memories)
RC-505mkII
- 1.5 hours (one track) or 13 hours (total of all memories)
RC-202
- 3 hours (stereo)
RC-10R
- 6 hours (stereo)
RC-500
- 1.5 hours (one track) or 13 hours (total of all memories)
RC-5
- 1.5 hours (one track) or 13 hours (total of all memories)
RC-1
- 12 minutes (stereo)
Number of Tracks
Some loopers let you record several instruments at once using multiple tracks—but how many you need comes down to the music you’re making. If you’re looping with a guitar, you’ll get along fine with the one-track capabilities of stompboxes like the RC-1 and RC-5. But if you plan to sing or add instruments like keys and drum pads in real-time, a multi-track looper like the RC-600 or RC-505mkII will give each instrument its dedicated loop layer and let your performance take flight.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- Six stereo tracks
RC-505mkII
- Five stereo tracks
RC-202
- Two stereo tracks
RC-10R
- Two stereo tracks
RC-500
- Two stereo tracks
RC-5
- One stereo track
RC-1
- One stereo track
Memory Storage
What happens to all the loops you make? With the entry-level RC-1, at the start of each session, you’ll have to wipe your old recording to make way for the new one. But you’ll need a Loop Station with onboard storage if you want to save multiple creations ready to showcase at that night’s show. You don’t have to spend much (even the RC-5 offers 99 phrase memories with the option of backing up loop audio to a computer via USB), but higher-spec units will let you store more intricate loops.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- 99 memories, each containing six phrase tracks, custom effects and playback settings, control assignments, and more
RC-505mkII
- 99 memories, each containing five phrase tracks, custom effects, playback settings, control assignments, and more
RC-202
- 64 phrase memories (8 memories x 8 banks), each containing two phrase tracks, custom effects/playback settings, and more
RC-10R
- 99 phrase memories and 50 user rhythms
RC-500
- 99 phrase memories
RC-5
- 99 phrase memories
RC-1
- N/A
Onboard Effects
Since 1973, BOSS has been the world’s greatest innovator in guitar effects, and many Loop Station models have some of our most famous sounds onboard. While you’ll need to use your amp or external pedals to alter the tone when using the RC-1, RC-5, and RC-500, further up the range, you’ll find a vast selection of tones right out of the box, topping out with the RC-600 and its onboard array of 49 Input FX and 53 Track FX types, with the scope to use four simultaneously in each section.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- 49 Input FX and 53 Track FX types
RC-505MkII
- 49 Input FX and 53 Track FX types
RC-202
- 36 Input FX and 40 Track FX
RC-10R
- Reverb (only for the rhythm part)
RC-500
- Reverb (only for the rhythm part)
RC-5
- Reverb (only for the rhythm part)
RC-1
- N/A
Onboard Rhythms
The beauty of looping is that solo artists can sound like a full band, especially if you choose a Loop Station with built-in rhythms. Whether you’re looking for a quick click to keep you in time or a thundering four-to-the-floor beat to beef up your new rock anthem, there are options in the Loop Station lineup, from the 280 beat varieties within the RC-10R to the RC-600’s 16 onboard drum kits. If you want your performances to groove, it’s a vital consideration.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- 200 onboard rhythm patterns and 16 drum kits
RC-505mkII
- 200 onboard rhythm patterns and 16 drum kits
RC-202
- 17 onboard rhythm patterns
RC-10R
- 280 preset rhythm styles and 16 drum kits
RC-500
- 57 patterns with A/B variations, 16 drum kits
RC-5
- 57 preset rhythms with A/B variations, seven drum kits
RC-1
- N/A
Inputs and Outputs
Every BOSS Loop Station puts you in charge of operational features, including tough footswitches, intuitive dial layouts, and highly visual LCD screens that relay the key information even on a dark stage. But as your performances grow more involved and you need even closer control, it’s worth ensuring your Loop Station supports connectivity for external gear like expression pedals.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- Two external control jacks, each with support for up to two footswitches or an expression pedal. Two XLR mic inputs with phantom power, two stereo line input pairs, and three stereo assignable line output pairs
RC-505mkII
- Two external control jacks, each with support for up to two footswitches or an expression pedal. Two XLR mic inputs with phantom power, two stereo line input pairs, and three stereo line output pairs
RC-202
- XLR mic input with phantom power expanded external control via optional footswitches or expression pedal
RC-10R
- Support for expanded control via external footswitches or expression pedal
RC-500
- Support for expanded control via external footswitches or expression pedal
RC-5
- Support for expanded control via external footswitches or expression pedal
RC-1
- Support for expanded control via external footswitches or expression pedal
USB and MIDI Connectivity
The world makes music differently now, and while an entry-level looper is all you need to practice licks in front of an amp, if you’re planning to hook up your Loop Station with a computer-based DAW recording setup or communicate with MIDI gear like your favorite synthesizer, it’s vital to choose a unit that keeps up. As such, most Loop Stations support MIDI and have full USB connectivity, letting you back up data, import WAV audio, integrate with computer software, access the latest downloads from BOSS Tone Studio, and much more.
At A GLANCE
RC-600
- Deep MIDI control support. USB for data backup, phrase import/export with BOSS Tone Studio, and pattern import with the RC Rhythm Converter
RC-505mkII
- Deep MIDI control support. USB for data backup, phrase import/export with BOSS Tone Studio, and pattern import with the RC Rhythm Converter
RC-202
- MIDI control. USB for phrase import/export and DAW integration with computers
RC-10R
- Full MIDI I/O with space-saving mini TRS jacks, Mac/Windows software for importing WAV loops and user rhythms in SMF format
RC-500
- Full MIDI I/O with space-saving mini TRS jacks, USB to back up and load WAV loops
RC-5
- Full MIDI I/O with space-saving mini TRS jacks, USB to back up and load WAV loops
RC-1
- N/A
Ready to Decide?
Looping is one of the most exciting musical movements of the last quarter-century. With the eight models in the modern BOSS Loop Station range catering to every player, project, and budget, this trailblazing gear series is as individual as you are.
Now you’ve met the lineup and are starting to build a picture of your looping goals, why not visit a store to put these trailblazing units through their paces? Your perfect looper is waiting.
