Boss RC-5 Loop Station

108

Effects Pedal for Electric Guitar and Electric Bass

  • Looper
  • High quality sound with 32 bit AD / DA and 32 bit floating point processing
  • 13 Hours of recording time
  • Multicoloured backlit LCD display for displaying the loop status and the processing parameters
  • Reverse function
  • 7 Different drum kits and 57 preset rhythms with A / B variations
  • Advanced control via external foot switches, expression pedal or MIDI
  • 99 Phrase memories
  • Saving and loading WAV loops via USB
  • Controls: Memory / Loop Level
  • Push buttons: Memory, Setup, Rhythm On / Off and Rhythm Tempo
  • Footswitch: Looping functions pedal with record, overdub, play, stop and undo / redo
  • Power supply with a 9 V battery or a 9 V DC power adapter (not included - suitable power supply: Art.409939)
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 73 x 129 x 56 mm
  • Weight: 405 g

Connections:

  • Inputs A / Mono & B: 2x 6.3 mm jack
  • Outputs A / Mono & B: 2x 6.3 mm jack
  • Stop / Memory: 6.3 mm stereo jack
  • Midi In / Out: 2x 3.5 mm stereo jack
  • USB B Type
  • Power supply connection: barrel connector 5.5 x 2.1 mm, negative polarity inside
Available since November 2020
Item number 504138
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Effect Types Looper
Recording time in minutes 780 m
USB connector 1
MIDI 1
Stereo 1
Show more
$179
The shipping costs are calculated on the checkout page.
In stock
In stock

This product is in stock and can be shipped immediately.

Standard Delivery Times
1

Compact looping station

When it comes to loopers, Boss has many years of experience to call on, so it should come as no surprise that the RC-5 Loop Station features cutting-edge technology to deliver optimum sound quality, long recording times, and stereo operation, all packed into one of Boss's famous compact pedals to which the user can connect two additional footswitches for advanced control options. The RC-5 puts record, overdub, play/stop, undo/redo, and reverse playback functions at the player's fingertips, and up to 99 phrases can be stored, managed via the display, and even controlled remotely via MIDI. The audio files are saved in WAV format, and the user can connect the looper to a computer via USB in order to move them back and forth. What is more, the RC-5 features seven virtual drumkits and 57 rhythm presets with A/B variations, so users can easily find the right accompaniment for their ideas when inspiration strikes.

A state-of-the-art pedal

Despite its compact size, the Boss RC-5 Loop Station still remains clear and intuitive, and the user interface features a rotary encoder, four backlit buttons, and a backlit colour LC display that provides a status overview and allows the various parameters to be controlled. The footswitch performs several functions in the looping process, and two extra switches can be integrated as mentioned above. Unlike earlier models, the RC-5 allows loops to be stored and exchanged with a computer. The encoder can be used to adjust the volume balance between loop and input signal as well as a range of other parameters, and the looper's combination of 32-bit AD/DA converters and 32-bit floating-point processing ensures a high-quality sound. What is more, the RC-5 Loop Station offers up to 13 hours of total recording time (or 1.5 hours per phrase), which is more than a little impressive for a compact pedal that can be operated on battery power.

For rehearsing and improvising

The Boss RC-5 Loop Station is the ideal companion for practising specific parts and finding the right licks to embellish them. By connecting the pedal to a computer, the user can also swap ideas, exercises, and playback files with other musicians via the Boss Tone Studio software. Loopers have always been popular among artists who like to improvise, and the Boss RC-5 gives these users the benefits of a classic looper togther with expanded storage and longer recording times as well as the option of MIDI operation via the adapter cable included in the scope of delivery. Boss has not included any multi-tracking options or onboard effects here, but makes up for it with the wealth of rhythm presets, the ability to transfer files with a computer, and fully stereophonic operation, the latter of which makes this looper ideal for use with synths and other instruments.

Looper plus

The Boss RC-5 Loop Station is primarily aimed at musicians looking to add a compact and intuitive looper to their arsenal that gives them more than just a tool for improvising. The RC-5's storage capabilities and MIDI compatibility additionally give users a professional-level companion that is also ideal for on-stage use, and alongside the aforementioned stereo mode, functions such as undo/redo, reverse playback, and impressively long recording times provide an extensive range of editing options. Songwriting and practising riffs and licks will in turn be made significantly easier thanks to the looper's onboard rhythm section, and the RC-5 can even be connected and synchronised to external devices via MIDI and entire playback tracks loaded to the pedal via the Boss Tone Studio software.

About Boss

The Boss brand has been an important part of the Japanese Roland Corporation since the mid-1970s and has caused a sensation from its inception, especially with its compact effect pedals but also multi-effect units and other helpful tools for guitarists. The company's single effect pedals in particular are legendary and can be found in almost every guitarist's home. An incredible 15 million have been sold to date. With its Katana series, the manufacturer now also offers excellent amplifiers at a very interesting price point.

In the spotlight: Loopers

A looper, also known as a phrase looper or loop station, allows a sound recording to be made and then replayed on continuous repeat. The user can then record additional sounds as overdubs during subsequent repeats - known in the analogue recording world as "sound on sound" recording. When using a looper, the musician plays at their own tempo, which is determined by the speed of the first loop they record; the complexity of the recording then increases with each layer that is subsequently added. Some modern loopers provide multiple tracks, functions such as undo/redo, reverse playback, storage capability, MIDI, and a metronome as well as an onboard rhythm section.

108 Customer ratings

4.6 / 5

You have to be logged in to rate products.

Note: To prevent ratings from being based on hearsay, smattering or surreptitious advertising we only allow ratings from real users on our website, who have bought the equipment from us.

After logging in you will also find all items you can rate under rate products in the customer centre.

handling

features

sound

quality

70 Reviews

D
The Best Loopers IMO
Dect 31.10.2021
I have used many BOSS loopers over the years - the RC-1, RC-3, RC-30 and I am now using the RC-10R and the RC-5. I love how easy they are to use and the sound quality of these is so much better than the previous RC-3 which I upgraded from. These ones with storage are also great for saving song ideas on the fly and also for loading up backing tracks. Then there is the BOSS build quality - they last forever. The absolute best part of all the BOSS loopers though is the external switch jack. This means you can use an external button as a dedicated stop switch. This makes things much easier as you no longer have to double press to stop. I have even gotten small stop buttons built into my loopers to save space. It be great if BOSS offered this mod from the factory.
handling
features
sound
quality
8
2
Report

Report

E
Welcome back Boss!
E-dub 06.06.2022
I had a Boss looper before and while I never had an issue with recording or sound quality the interface was not intuitive.

The RC-5 is so much easier to use. I also added an FS-7 (set to navigate loops). I mainly use this to catch licks and riffs and leave them on the looper until I record it in a song. This iswhere the RC-5 Shines with it's 99 slots there plenty of spots to park ideas until they can be worked out. There have been plenty of times where I get another idea before I've worked out the one on the looper and it is lost forever.

The sound quality is great and the interface is quite easy to navigate. I did watch a video on how to set it up with a footswitch and that saved me loads of time during the initial set up.

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? I think so, I would buy it again if lost or stolen.
handling
features
sound
quality
4
0
Report

Report

M
Quality from boss as usually
Mike1234 13.01.2022
Works perfectly, sounds good, the menu is a bit difficult to navigate but once you read the manual you are set.
handling
features
sound
quality
2
0
Report

Report

c
Superb sound and many functions
czdali 08.10.2021
If you look for a simple looper and don't like reading manuals this beast is perhaps not ideal for you. However if you want a compact pedal that will record and dub loops with fantastic sound quality and has a ton of other functions there is probably no better choice on the market.
handling
features
sound
quality
2
0
Report

Report

YouTube on this topic