Boss RC-500 Loop Station

Super Sound Quality

Featuring best-in-class 32-bit AD/DA and 32-bit floating-point processing, the RC-500 captures your personal sound with full fidelity and keeps loops crystal clear, even with multiple overdubs. And with 13 hours of stereo recording time, there’s plenty of space for extended creative journeys.

Connect, Loop, and Mix

With its versatile I/O and free-flowing interface, the RC-500 is ready to support all your musical visions. Connect mono/stereo instruments and pedal effects, plus a mic to the dedicated XLR input—complete with phantom power if needed. Use the two tracks independently for song-style composition, or together for rich multi-track textures. The LCD backlight changes color to clearly show the current operation mode, while hands-on track faders and a mic level knob provide direct access to volume control as you loop.

Flexible Creative Control

Three onboard footswitches make it simple to control recording and playback, track switching, and more. For expanded operation, you can connect up to two external footswitches for direct control of many assignable functions, or an expression pedal for continuous adjustments. And for advanced rigs, the space-saving TRS MIDI I/O enables remote operation from MIDI switchers and foot controllers, plus MIDI sync with drum machines and DAWs.

Personalize Your Setup

The RC-500’s I/O and footswitches are configured for basic operations by default, but they can be reassigned in a variety of ways to meet your custom needs. Route left/right input sources to separate tracks, or send guitar and vocals to independent outputs. Use the footswitches to turn effects on/off, start/stop rhythms, and more. Custom assignments are saved along with phrase memories, letting you instantly reconfigure the RC-500 for any application.

Energize Performances with Rhythms and Loop FX

Loaded with inspiring rhythms and evocative loop processing, the RC-500 is primed to bring groove and color to all your looping adventures. Each of the 57 preset rhythms include A/B variations, while 16 different drum kits provide sounds to match any style. Designed for live performance, Loop FX like repeat, scatter, and more infuse your loops with instant sonic energy. There’s a cool reverse function too, perfect for creating unique sonic flavors on demand.

Capture, Practice, and Perform

The RC-500’s 99 phrase memories let you store loops as fast as you create them, complete with rhythm and kit selections, audio settings, and control assignments. Loop audio can be backed up to a computer via USB. And with WAV import via BOSS Tone Studio, the RC-500 becomes a central playback hub for lesson material, jam tracks, or backing music for your next gig.

Specifications

Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz

AD/DA Conversion: 32 bits

Processing: 32-bit floating point

Recording/Playback: Number of Track: 2, Data Format: WAV (44.1 kHz, 32-bit float, stereo), Maximum Recording Time: Approx. 1.5 hours (1 track), Approx.13 hours (total of All memories) 

Rhythm Type: 57 Patterns x 2 Variations

Rhythm Kit: 16 types

Effect: LOOP FX (only for loop tracks), Type: BEAT REPEAT, BEAT SHIFT, BEAT SCATTER, VINYL FLICK, Reverb (only for rhythm part)

Memory: 99

Nominal Input Level: MIC IN: -40 dBu (variable), INST IN A/MONO､B: -10 dBu

Maximum Input Level: MIC IN:+8 dBu, INST IN A/MONO, B: +8 dBu

Input Impedance: MIC IN: 4 k ohms, INST IN A/MONO, B: 1 M ohm

Nominal Output Level: OUTPUT A/MONO, B: -10 dBu

Maximum Output Level: OUTPUT A/MONO, B: +8 dBu

Output Impedance: OUTPUT A/MONO, B: 1 k ohm

Recommended Load Impedance: OUTPUT A/MONO, B: 10 k ohms or greater

Bypass: Buffered bypass

Controls: REC/PLAY switch, STOP switch, TRACK SELECT switch, MEMORY/VALUE knob, MIC LEVEL knob, TRACK 1 slider, TRACK 2 slider, TRACK 1 EDIT button, TRACK 2 EDIT button, RHYTHM TEMPO button, RHYTHM ON/OFF button, MEMORY button, MENU button, EXIT button, ENTER button, INPUT button

Display: Graphic LCD (96 x 32 dots, RGB backlit LCD)

Connectors: INST IN A/MONO, B jacks: 1/4-inch phone type

MIC IN jack: XLR type (balanced, phantom power: DC 48 V, 10 mA Max

OUTPUT A/MONO, B jacks: 1/4-inch phone type

CTL 1,2/EXP jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type

USB port: USB micro B type

MIDI (IN, OUT) jacks: stereo miniature type

DC IN jack

Power Supply: Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4, AC adaptor (PSA-S series: sold separately)

Current Draw: Alkaline: Approx. 3.5 hours (without phantom power)

Approx. 2 hours (with phantom power)

*These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.

AC adaptor: PSA-S series

Footswitch: FS-5U

Dual Footswitch: FS-6, FS-7

Expression Pedal: FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, Roland EV-5

TRS/MIDI connecting cable: BMIDI-5-35