Here is everything you need to know about loop pedals for beatboxers, including the best Loop Station options and how to use them. BOSS Loop Stations and beatboxing have become so intertwined that it’s hard to imagine one without the other. In this guide, we’ll explore how beatboxers use loop pedals, break down the key features you’ll want to look for to get the best out of them and help you find the best BOSS Loop Station for your style and skill level. We’ll also share expert tips on using a looper from world-class beatboxers who rely on BOSS RC-Series Loop Stations to craft mind-blowing performances.
Pushing Creative Boundaries
Loop stations have taken beatboxing from raw, solo performance art of a single person creating beats into fully-fledged compositions and iconic live shows that rival studio productions in the right hands (or mouth). Whether you’re laying down basslines, creating scratch tracks and vocal effects, creating percussion grooves, or stacking vocal melodies, a loop station is essential for any beatboxer looking to push creative boundaries. You need a looper to create live shows that blow the crowd and your opposition away, lay down an EP, or sculpt an entire album using only your voice.
As highlighted in our article, BOSS x SBX: Exploring the RC-505mkII with the World’s Best Beatboxers, Swissbeatbox is the online home for the world of beatboxing, showcasing beatboxing videos, battles, tutorials, and lessons from artists across the globe. In fact, it’s a requirement to use a BOSS Loop Station to compete in SBX battles.
It’s safe to say BOSS Loop Stations are a staple of the beatboxing world, with the BOSS RC-505, and now its updated version, the BOSS RC-505mkII, becoming the industry standard loop pedal for beatboxers and MCs everywhere. So yeah. BOSS looper pedals are a big deal in the world of beatboxing. Let’s get into the basics.
Loop Pedals Basics
Loop pedals allow beatboxers to record, layer, and manipulate their sounds in real time. They create incredibly unique, complex, multi-layered beats that sound like a full band, taking your vocal performances and creating something unique. You beatbox into your mic with the looper engaged, and it records the section. You hit or step on the looper pad or footswitch again, and it plays it back. Repeat.
How a Loop Pedal Works: Beatboxing Edition
- Record: Press the hand switch or footswitch and start singing your phrase or “track.” Press the switch again to stop recording at the end of the phrase.
- Play: Pressing the hand or footswitch to stop recording will start playing back the phrase or “track” you just beatboxed, and the loop will continue so you can begin to improvise over the top of it or lay more sections.
- Layer: This is where the fun begins! When the first beatbox loop or phrase starts, press the footswitch to add another sound or beat on top of it. Press the footswitch again, and both sounds will play together. You can add as many layers as you want to build your song.
Floor-Based and Tabletop
Unlike guitarists who control loops with their feet, beatboxers often use tabletop loop stations, like the BOSS RC-505mkII, to control loops and effects with their hands. Tabletop versions like the BOSS RC-202 and RC-505mkII are the industry standard beatboxer loopers.
Here’s a quick explanation:
- Tabletop loopers: These are hand-controlled like the BOSS RC-505mkII and are great for beatboxers, producers, and studio use; see the example videos below.
- Floor-based loopers: These are foot-controlled like the BOSS RC-500, perfect for hands-free operation during live performances where you’re using another instrument, such as a guitar or a keyboard.
For beatboxers, loop pedals or tabletop loopers are connected like this:
Microphone → Loop Pedal → Speaker/PA System
How Do Beatboxers Use Loop Pedals?
Layering Beats and Rhythms
One of the significant ways beatboxers use loop pedals is by building beats layer by layer, a whole percussive track in real-time. Here’s how:
- Lay down a foundation rhythm with kick and snare sounds.
- Add hi-hats, percussive clicks, or claps to the groove.
- Stack basslines and vocal textures to fill out the track.
- Use real-time effects to manipulate and change sounds.
Check out one of the most iconic uses of a loop pedal in beatboxing. MB14 went up against SARO at the Grand Beatbox LOOPSTATION Battle 2017. It’s simply one of the most extraordinary moments in beatboxing; each artist uses the loop station to build beats layer by layer.
Melodic and Harmonic Layering
Beatboxers don’t just make percussion sounds. Loop pedals allow them to build harmonies and melodies with their voice.
- Trigger pitch-shifting effects to create deeper basslines and high-pitched synth-like tones using only your voice and the effects.
- Layer harmonized vocals to sound like multiple vocals are happening simultaneously.
- Transpose loops in real time to switch between keys easily.
Watch Gene Shinozaki from The Beatbox House show you how to use the BOSS RC-505mkII Loop Station Harmonizer effect.
"The layout of the RC-505mkII offers seamless functionality for vocal looping in a live performance that is incredibly reliable."
Vocoder and Voice Transformation
The RC-505mkII also has an OSC Vocoder, which lets beatboxers turn their voices into robotic, synthetic, or electronic instruments in real time.
- Shape your vocal tone with dynamic filtering and modulation.
- Create synth-like textures to layer over rhythmic patterns.
- Combine the Vocoder with other effects like reverb and delay for a futuristic soundscape.
Inkie uses the OSC Vocoder to create electronic harmonies and robotic basslines in his performances.
Songwriting and Practice Tool
Loop pedals are essential practice and composition tools for beatboxers who want to write and work on their live sets.
- Work out new routines by layering different beat patterns and testing transitions.
- Experiment with different effects to develop a signature sound.
- Create entire tracks from your voice and manipulate it using effects that make it sound like it’s not your voice.
Watching BreZ create a whole track using the OSC BOT, Sequencer & Bounce functions is incredible.
What are the best Loop Pedals for Beatboxers?
The three best loopers for beatboxers are the BOSS RC-202, BOSS RC-500, and BOSS RC-505mkII. All have XLR inputs for microphones, which were designed specifically for beatboxers.
As I always say, when it comes to choosing a loop pedal, or any pedal for that matter, there’s no right or wrong answer here because you need different things. Just like acoustic guitarists who need loop pedals or the best loop pedals for vocalists, there are a few differences between each category but when choosing the best loop pedals for beatboxers from BOSS, the three above and highlighted below, in particular, have been hailed as the most popular and best options with BOSS RC-505mkII being the industry standard option.
Here’s why they’re the best and most popular loopers for beatboxers:
BOSS RC-202
- Ideal For: Compact setups, entry-level looping, and beatboxers who need a portable tabletop looper.
- Features: Two stereo tracks with separate controls. Four Input FX & Four Track FX, including delay, filter, and modulation for real-time vocal manipulation. Finger-friendly interface with pads and knobs for live control (you can punch in your queues). USB connection for storing loops and DAW integration.
- Benefits for Beatboxers: The RC-202 is the most compact, hand-based tabletop looper, with more than enough professional-level effects for live and studio beatboxing. It’s small enough for mobile setups or practicing at home but still packs powerful looping and sound-shaping tools, so you can easily gig with it. This is another industry standard.
"The RC-202 is the most compact, hand-based tabletop looper, with more than enough professional-level effects for live and studio beatboxing."
BOSS RC-500
- Ideal for: Beatboxers who want a floor-based looper with hands-free operation and high-quality sound processing. Not everyone wants to use their hands.
- Features: Two stereo tracks with separate controls for building complex loops. Built-in rhythms with 57 patterns and 16 kits. Footswitches for real-time loop control if you don’t want to use your hands. 32-bit sound processing for studio-grade audio. XLR input with phantom power so you can plug your mic straight in.
- Benefits for Beatboxers: The RC-500’s hands-free operation makes it the top choice for beatboxers who need a floor looper for live performance. With high-quality effects, stereo looping, and footswitches, you can build and control loops on stage without taking your hands off the mic.
BOSS RC-505mkII
- Ideal for: Professional beatboxers, live looping artists, and performers who need total control over their loops.
- Features: You’ve got five stereo tracks to play with and advanced effects, including beat repeat, slicer, transpose, and harmonizer for beatboxing textures. Hands-on control with faders and effect knobs. Two XLR mic inputs with phantom power. MIDI sync, USB, and stereo line outputs. 200 built-in rhythms and 16 kits for added backing beats, and a hardware mixer with individual faders and multiple I/O.
- Benefits for Beatboxers: The RC-505mkII is the industry standard looper for top beatboxers worldwide. With five tracks, advanced FX, and a finger-friendly interface, it’s the most powerful and versatile looper for multi-layer beatboxing live performance. If you want the best looper for beatboxers, get this. The RC-505mkII is the industry standard looper for top beatboxers worldwide.
Why Should Beatboxers Use Loop Pedals?
Loop pedals give beatboxers the power to turn solo performances into full productions. You’re already blowing people’s minds with what you can do with your vocal cords, so a looper takes it to that next level. By layering beats, basslines, and melodies in real time, you can create complex soundscapes that push the boundaries and set you apart from other musicians and vocalists.
Here are some more reasons:
- Stand Out Live: Create unique shows by building full tracks on the fly, engaging the audience, and creating an exceptional show.
- Create Your Sound: Experiment with layering, effects, and harmonies to create a unique sound that goes beyond beatboxing, like that of the world’s greatest beatboxers.
- Improve Skills and Control: Looping helps with timing, rhythm, and transitions, making you a better live and studio performer.
- A Solo Act That Sounds Like a Full Band: With a looper, you don’t need backing tracks or additional musicians. Your voice is the whole performance.
- Affordable Path to Pro Sound: Unlike hiring musicians or investing in expensive equipment, Loop Stations are a budget-friendly way to practice your craft and improve your beatboxing, recording, and gigs.
"Loop Stations are a budget-friendly way to practice your craft and improve your beatboxing, recording, and gigs."
Pro Tips for Beatboxers Getting Started Using Loop Pedals
- Get Your First Loop Right: Your performance relies on a strong first loop. NAIL IT! Start and stop your beat loops on the ONE beat, think 1,2,3,4, in your head, and press the hand or footswitch on the first beat. This way, you’ll have no gaps over overlaps.
- Use a Click Track: A click will keep you in time while building layers.
- Master Real-Time Effects Triggering: Shape your sound with reverb, delay, and filter sweeps, and you’ll stand out from other beatboxers—get to know the effects.
- Experiment with Multitrack Looping: Assign different sounds to separate tracks for dynamic song structures and build an entire setlist.
- Develop a Signature Sound: Pitch shifting, modulation, and distortion can help a performance stand out and differentiate between good and iconic.
Advanced Loop Pedal Features for Beatboxers
We could go on and on about all the advanced loop pedal features for beatboxers. Instead, let’s review some key advanced features that pro-level beatboxers love and the best BOSS loop stations for each application.
Vocal Effects
- Reverb and Delay: Add some space to your beatboxing. The BOSS RC-505mkII and BOSS RC-202 have great reverb and delay to create big spaces.
- Pitch Shifting and Harmonizing: Turn your voice into basslines or harmonies. The BOSS RC-505mkII and RC-500 let you adjust the pitch in real time to create deep bass or melodic harmonies.
- Distortion and Modulation: Add electronic textures and unique sounds to your beats. The RC-505mkII has distortion, flanger, and slicer effects so you can turn your beatboxing into a sound design tool.
"The RC-505mkII has distortion, flanger, and slicer effects so you can turn your beatboxing into a sound design tool."
Layering and Dynamic Arrangements
- Builds: Start with a simple loop and add more elements over time to build up—this works best with the RC-505mkII, which has five tracks for complex arrangements.
- Dropouts: Mute specific loops or sections to create dropouts and energy shifts in your performance. This is perfect for that drop just before a chorus hits, building the tension. The RC-500 and RC-505mkII let you mute and transition tracks in real time, and using this feature will send the crowd wild when you come back in.
- Multitrack Looping: Assign different sounds to separate tracks to easily switch between verses and choruses. The RC-505mkII is the industry standard for beatboxers with multitrack looping capabilities because it’s helpful.
Looping with Instruments or Backing Tracks
- Sync with External Gear: The RC-505mkII and RC-202 have MIDI connections so that you can sync your loops with external drum machines, keyboards, or synthesizers.
- Trigger Pre-recorded Backing Tracks: The RC-500 and RC-505mkII let you import and trigger loops or full backing tracks so your live performances can use specific loops or tracks you’ve created at home or in the studio.
- USB/MIDI Connectivity: Loop into a DAW for live looping and studio recording. The RC-505mkII, RC-500, and RC-202 all have USB/MIDI, so you can hybrid live/studio.
- Export Loops: Capture and export your best loops for music production or future performances. This is especially useful if you have a signature sound or a specific song you struggle to recreate in person.
These advanced looping features, available with the RC-505mkII, RC-500, and RC-202, will not only take your creativity to crazy new heights but also, once you master them, absolutely blow the crowd away with your skills.
For example, watch iconic beatboxer Saro create “Walk” using the BOSS RC-505mkII’s advanced features.
Frequently Asked Questions About Loop Pedals for Beatboxers
Can I beatbox with any Loop Station?
Yes, of course you can. However, tabletop models like the BOSS RC-505mkII are designed for hand control, which beatboxers and MCs often prefer.
How do I make my loops sound good?
It’s all about your voice at the end of the day. Use a good mic, work on setting your levels right, and use built-in EQ and compression to enhance the quality of your voice.
What Loop Station do beatboxers use?
The BOSS RC-505mkII is the industry standard looper for beatboxers. It has five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks with dedicated controls and independent volume faders. The massive onboard effects let you transpose to shift loops up or down in pitch, making it great for harmonic shifts mid-performance.
"The BOSS RC-505mkII is the industry standard looper for beatboxers. It has five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks with dedicated controls and independent volume faders."
What’s better for beatboxers: a tabletop looper or a floor-based looper?
You may want to manipulate your loops by hand, and a tabletop means they sit on the table or desk. You operate it by hand, and floor-based means they sit on the floor and are operated by your feet; a tabletop looper is the best option.
A floor-based looper like the RC-500 is one of the best loopers if you want to use another instrument simultaneously or don’t like using your hands to trigger the looper. Still, tabletop models like the RC-505mkII allow for complete hands-on control for live shows—you use one hand to hold the mic and another to trigger everything, punching/tapping the triggers and tweaking the effects by hand.
The Right Loop Pedal
Looping has improved beatboxing, allowing artists to create fully fleshed-out live shows and albums with just your voice and a looper. Whether you’re just starting with the BOSS RC-202, playing with another instrument using the RC-500, or mastering your live shows, beatbox battles, and festival slots with the RC-505mkII, there’s a BOSS Loop Station that’ll propel your beatboxing production skills and live shows into the stratosphere.
