RC-500 arrived in the mail a couple days ago. I love it, but it will take getting used to. I've actually been using an old Boss delay with the hold (loop) feature for years and the 500 is light years ahead. Having realistic drum backing is fun, and the loop quality is great. I intend to use it with backing tracks, and using drums instead of fretting the board and strumming a percussive beat for every song. A couple issues I have found is that with attenuated amps set to low wattage, the guitar gets muddied in the drum track, so you need to boost the wattage and lower the amp volume. Also, when strumming a loop, and then adding a beat based off the automatically measured tempo, some audio artifacts appear. Haven't figured that out yet, but that might be a firmware upgrade.
Hey Frank 👋 Oooh that’s very interesting with the wattage. Wondering how that is on battery power vs plugged in as well. Glad your having it to play with. Let me know how it goes. 👍🏻
Just bought one; 32-bit helpful for fidelity in layering, 2 inputs, 2 outputs, USB, MIDI, upgrade in LCD color display, durable, etc. Much of the competition may cost less, but are mono only, single phrase storage, simplistic LED display...
Yeah it’s pricey but they have just upped the game with their features in a compact size. Explore it and enjoy! (I’m not sponsored by Boss but just happy when someone buys a looper! 😆)
The modern looper should have a very flexible interface and flexible uses for the hardware buttons, as well as MIDI expansion. It looks like the big 3 right now (RC-500, HR Looperboard, and Aeros) all have it. I sent the Aeros back after buying it when it first came out but they addressed my concerns in their recent update. I did the same thing with the HR Looperboard, but then bought it again and it's my main looper right now (or was, until I got a RC-500). I have had the RC-500 since Tuesday and it's really wonderful. I was an RC-300 adopter, but not an RC-50 or RC-30, so using a button to switch channels is taking some practice. However, you can put a pair of external footswitches and the channel switch to use making this a two-channel version of the RC-300. So, right now, you really can't go wrong with anything, except that the HR Looperboard is too big to also use external effects, and they still have some work to do in making that system of effects work.
Curious... Did you hang in there with the HR Looperboard all the way up to the 2.0 firmware update? It got a lot better after that. Otherwise what was your sticking point that you couldn't get past with the HeadRush?
@@Acoustribute I wound up re-purchasing it after wandering lost in the woods for a year. The first iteration of the Headrush was cool hardware and dumb software--there were several of the most basic things it wouldn't do. They fixed it, except for the effects are still kinda a mess.
Thats a great comment! Yeah im sticking with the HeadRush Looperboard for the long haul as I think they will adopt a better FX system like TC-Helicon’s. but Boss are always a great shout and have had so many of their loopers and still have the RC30 and 300
yellowisfriedegg get a pair of boss FS5Us and a stereo TRS to 1/4” TS. On the international site is a parameter guide that tells you what you can do with each of your (now) 5 pedals. Set fs 1 to play/stop/dub tr1, fs2 to stop it, fs 3 to all Start (which is also all stop), fs4 (which is now called ctrl 4 or something like that) to play/stop/dub tr 2, ctrl 5 to stop tr2. I found a cooler way to do it though, because the track switch isn’t that hard to get used to. So now everything is stock on the pedal but ctrl 4 is all start (which is also all stop) and ctrl 5 is undo redo tr1. Now I record a two layer percussion track on 1 and use ctrl 5 to move between the layers (verse/chorus, for example) and ctrl 4 does the all start all stop. It’s really great and the sound quality (like the HR) is thrilling compared to even the RC-300
I love your quick, comprehensive approach to explaining these phenomenal pieces of gear. I use the 500 along with gt 1000 core for live looping performances while accompanying a singer. Crazy possibilities at the touch of a few switches!
Hey Alfie - oooh that GT1000 core has a lot of potential! So many features! Yeah it’s all fun with the loopers. Have a look at the playlist of all the videos I’ve done with it so far - ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
Hi JL, probably buy one of these soon, but after deep reading all manual for both units, want to ask if the only way to save a recording is bending you back to the floor and press "write" keys. Is there any other way? ( asignable CTRL FS or midi CC or else) for both units?
Great review. One thing I don’t see in the RC-5 manual is different “stop modes”. For example, playback stops at the end of the loop, or fade out the loop. Did you find those features available in the RC-5? They are so common in loopers, I’d be really surprised if they were left out. 🤔
@@davidpipkin573 Thank you! When I had searched for the manual a few days ago I only found a brief guide. So happy to read the complete manual, and to see the stop modes are included! Thanks again. :)
The full parameter guide is on Boss' international site, but not the USA site. Figure that one out, I can't. I only know because I asked them. You want to get the parameter guide.
You mentioned the battery, so I will add my two cents: I have used the RC 3 with an FS 5U on hundreds of gigs. If you use the battery, it is flawless. If you use the powered input, sometimes there will be a momentary failure of the power and the loop will just disappear. You will think somethings wrong with the pedal, but there is nothing wrong. There are musicians on stage and everything is moving around and sometimes the cable moves a bit and there’s a momentary power failure. Then, you are left with your pants down-the loop disappears. These units should all have rechargeable batteries just like any cell phone. You would plug it in and charge it fully and then use it for the gig. Boss knows that the batteries work and they eliminate one cable. I prefer to have the battery.
I totally understand. I never know why these companies don’t switch to usb-c cables or something that properly clicks in, instead of the old circular pos/neg pins 🙄 Yeah a rechargeable battery is totally an answer but then that comes with it’s own problems for the company - how to replace - what if one doesn’t work etc. The alternative is a rechargeable battery pack which is tied to a pedalboard but then you are still connected to that power cable, Best solution is to use both - sort of - where you are plugged in but then if it looses that connection and the battery kicks in as a backup. Don’t know how that would work - wish the flagships were battery based too.
Yes, the battery kicks in a fraction of a second later, but it is not seamless. By the time it kicks in as a backup, your loop is gone and there is silence. I tested this to confirm it with a power strip. I would turn it off and on quickly when I had a loop running. Even with the battery in the pedal, your loop disappears, (though it appears to remain “on”.) Thank your for answering me. Keep making these great videos.
Hats a shame but I suppose there is no real way to get an uninterrupted power supply to it without carrying huge batteries and thats just inconvenient. Thanks 🙏
That’s cool. 👍🏼 I have a playlist of every video I have made on the RC-5 & RC-500 here for you to binge watch. ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs Enjoy 😉
This preview is absolutely fantastic! Very informative and concise. Question answer: I use my looper for all of the above: music practice, busking, gigging out, live streaming, etc. RC500 is very far out of my price range but I would want one otherwise. (It's about time they got with the battery powered options).
I went from RC-300 to the Singular Sound Areos together with the BeatBuddy and Midi Maestro, and never looked back. I also have the Headrush, and have enjoyed your reviews on that. You should really try the Singular Sound trifecta. I think you would appreciate the versatility and the possibility that opens up. Only thing I miss is the silent switches on my RC-300. But noisy switches seems to be the case with all new loopers these days, the Headrush Looperboard included.
I have a beat buddy and it’s cool but I like to hit my carbon fiber guitar to make beats live, it just had a more authentic flavor. It’s all preference though-for awhile I was using the beat buddy with the world beat drum set (which has to be purchased) and I loved the sound.
Kim Borgen i totally agree i have the same setup and its killer. I also went from the RC300 to the Headrush that i sent back as it crashed 3 or 4 times in the middle of a song even with upgrades. I splashed out on the Aeros and Maestro then grabbed two beat buddies, have never looked back. Really amazing products. 👍🏻
7:09 hi, how do you save the rhythm with the loop? As I mentioned on another one of your videos , all my loops deleted on an rc5 I recently bought second hand. I just today backed up a few of my new loops on the computer. While on the laptop I copied a loop I created into another folder to see if it sounded OK when I plugged my rc5 back into the amp. Anyway, the loop didn't have the rhythm part included. Also when I added the rhythm back in at 126bpm it didn't fit right and the loop (bass guitar) started sounding weird and slowing down. Would really appreciate any help on this, again 🙂, as I'm afraid to use this unit for my backing tracks in case I lose everything again.
Okay I got an RC 5 using it for backing tracks works great. If I hook up a rc500 through the midi. Can I sync all three tracks from both units. One for click one for bass one for keys. And can I control all of this from the RC 500? Will it change the presets on the rc5 when I'm changing them on the rc500 to go from song to song?
Hey 👋 sort of but there one or two slight issues with this. You would have to setup a few assigns and midi to control one. Let’s say the 500 is the one in control. All you would need it to do is follow the midi clock. However, when there is no midi clock (a.k.a you stop the loops on the RC-500) the RC-5 will stop too.. so you will need to program it so it either doesn’t do this or have your workflow in such a way that it works well with both. It’s a complicated setup Check out Ben Rowlands video here cause he actually did this and he can show you the complications it can come with. ruclips.net/video/D-AV3DGeVts/видео.htmlsi=Istsbe3x2L6p1LVy
Yeah I'm just basically going to use them for a backing track player. I started off with the five and I bought a 500. So I can separate bass tracks from keyboards etc on the fly with the volume sliders on the 500. And then my drummer says can you hook both of them up to play together and have the rc5 play a click track that just goes to my i e m rig. So I'm like I believe so in theory I should be able to do that no problem with the MIDI. So my setup is RC 500 loaded with backing tracks. Inputs not needed. Output a goes to backline. Output b goes to f o h. Rc5 loaded with qlick tracks. Input not needed. Output a go to IEM for drummer. RC 500 midi out to rc5 midi in. Now getting them to play together and sink is where I'm having trouble. On the rc500 I have the first button to play stop the second button is to increase setlist and the third button is to decrease the setlist. Everything works together except for the play and stop. Do you have any idea what I'm overlooking or what setting I should change. I need help with this would be greatly appreciated.
For me the biggest improvement on the RC 500 from the RC 30 is being able to have different length loops. I’ve got an RC 300 which can have different length loops but it’s so big, the 500 is going to be much more pedal board friendly
I use my RC3 for gigging. Mostly for a drum machine that I record loops live. A few tracks have prerecorded rhythm or bass tracks. I tend to use the 99 tracks as song titles with drums only and then create loops on the fly. The only thing that really interests me with the RC5 is the added drum beats. Not sure I want to spend the money because I am running 2 different pedalboards with a looper on both depending on the gig so it would involve buying 2 of them.
Hi John 👋 - that’s a great idea and love the way you use it. Wanna end up with something like that myself for things like wedding gigs. Regarding buying two, I totally get it. That would be a pain to reprogram. I could only really advise, have a look through my RC5/500 playlist and then get yourself down to a dealer that has one on demo and go through it. Here’s the playlist - hope some of it is useful to you. ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
I traded in my rc-30 for an RC-5 primarily because of the rhythm tracks. One thing I miss from the RC-30 is the count in function, am I missing something does the RC-5 do this as well? I know you can set it up so you hit the pedal a second time but for me this is not the same.
Never looped before! I have a home studio With R-24 I see a lot of loopers and thought I would try it out. Glad to see you videos. After playing the bar seen for 35 plus years and being a home body its hard to find pickers to just sit with and write. I have ordered the RC 500 and am looking forward to learning it. Thank You for the videos.. Could you send me the order that you would watch your videos for the best learning curve? I may have already watched them all. Your video is why I went with the 500 and not the lesser or smaller pedals.
More than welcome. A loop pedal is a great writing tool for ideas and structure building. 👍🏻 Here is the playlist of all the RC-5/500 videos I have done so far - ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs Enjoy and if you need any 1-2-1 coaching you can find that on my website www.johnpaulmusic.co.uk
I just purchased the RC-5 & using it with an FS-6. Had it for about 3 days (so far-so-good). Great sound quality on the loop playback, and the drums are more fun/interesting . . . then just a metronome. I had the Donner triple-looper once, and did not care for it.
How did they miss not putting a dedicated all stop all start switch. The one thing that separates the RC300 its the most used thing i use on my Aeros and RC 300.
Yeah the 30 needs a stop start all. You can ‘sort of’ do it where you stop the pedals and then arm both tracks and then can start again.. but its SERIOUS pedal dancing and nearly impossible to do it in time!
JohnPaul Music UK I know I used it with a FC single pedal for ages and often missed out on getting the pedals all ready for the restart. Ha ha amazing foot work needed. I honestly got the Aeros and the Maestro and the beat buddy all linked up via midi and what a set it is. I use my Play acoustic for vocals and guitar then a sun n up for bass. Just love the Aeros such an amazing work tool. And small. Not sure if you have tried it. It’s really works amazingly well.
On The PDL 3 FUNC, I wanted to know if there is a “stop all/clear all” function. I am seeing T1, T2 STOP(CLR as an option but does does that clear BOTH tracks when pressed and held down?
It doesn’t. You have to use a FS7 to delete both. A pedal for track 1 and B pedal for track 2. The only good part is you don’t have to hold it down to delete. It happens as soon you hit the pedal.
Great video, some advice please mate as I'm new to looping, i have a Blackstar Silverline 2x12 Stereo Deluxe will a looper work with the 2 housed speakers in my Silverline (I presume what you've looped will play through the one speaker while what you play live will come through the second) or do i need 2 separate amp/speakers? Thanks in advance...
Hey 👋 So the looper will work - if this is a one jack plug in then yeah you can do dual mono looping and have what you looped out of one and play through another - if you want. Or can have both go into the same. Have a look at my dual mono looping video (this is for voice and guitar but you can adapt it for just guitar loop and non loop ‘play’) ruclips.net/video/tErt9uASsPs/видео.html
Hey 👋 Yes you can - checkout pg.5 of the reference manual. You can change it from under 1 beat up to 64 bars.. which is awesome and again it is memory by memory.. so it doesn’t have to be on every patch. Love that. Here’s the parameter guide to get your teeth into: static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
@@JohnPaulMusicUK I see that but it looks to me like that is just fade in or fade out time when you start or stop the loop. On other loopers the loop has to be in overdub mode and most usually a decay knob controls the decay time of they continues loops as they are created. It has become pretty obvious to me that the RC500 does not have this loop aging....so sad.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thanks for the reply. I see what you you are talking about. Have you actually tried this setting and accomplished loop aging? On other loopers you have to be in overdub mode and a knob usually controls the decay parameter. Loop aging is like using a looper as a super long delay. You keep overdubbing as the previous loop and overdubs gradually fade out. I was just doing it with the Ditto X4 that I am getting rid of because of reliability issues. To bad. I like to do the loop aging on top of my RC10R loops. Mobius software on the PC is the king of loopers and this is where I learned it from, long before the Ditto X4 existed.
Ahhhh.. my apologies. Thought you meant a fade. Yeah you mean loop decay as some call it loop feedback. That’s mad if it doesn’t. [UPDATE] - NO.. I can’t find it in either the main Manual or the reference manual either 😞 I set mine on my looper to 98% so you don’t overload the audio output
Hi I have the RC5 and as for a 2 trk. looper the RC 500 ,only seams a bit complicated to learn ,only me! in my researching I found a loop pedal that is a 2 trk. looper but looks easier to use ,it also has a Fade button which is a nice way to end songs The Pigtronix infinity 3, just wondering if you had any experience with it and Though you are somewhat a spokesman for Boss, I know you are good at what you do, Thanks Eddie
Hey 👋 I haven’t had any experience with them but I do know from others they are good. My needs are slightly different and I need both XLR as well as Jack inputs. The Infinity only has jack but it’s it does have some nice features. For the price thou, it’s not that much more to get an RC-600!!
hi! is it possible to change the tracks with the footswitch while playing? For instance, I have 2 sections: verse and Chorus, is it possible to switch between both section without stopping the recording?
Hey 👋 So yes you can. With the RC-5 you could use 2 memories and switch between them. That with work without stopping. Or use undo/redo with one memory, adding and taking things away. With the RC-500, you can put it in Single mode and have the two tracks as a verse/chorus system on one memory no problem 👍🏻
Hi Paul, do you have any good idea how to use it as a simple vocal looping tool with headphones? So I would like to use it with battery, mic in, headphones/earphones out. I'm planning to use a simple Y cable to sum up the left and right channels...
Hey 👋 Yeah that would work. You can just go mono in and mono out (unless it’s a stereo mic) but most mics are mono anyways so if you plug in the one then it should just be a balanced mono signal, no need for the Y cable or to use input 2. 👍🏻 Hope that makes sense.
I just recently bought a rc3 without even seeing any of this new rc5. Do you think I should return it and is the quality noticeable thru play back? There both the same price.
I would return it if you could - its a big upgrade, the record time, the LCD is more useful and there is more functions/controls when you expand it. 👍🏻 I’m sure if you exchange it for an RC-5 then the vendor will understand why.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK Does the RC5 rhythm tempo auto sync with the loop you've recorded like the RC3? just upgraded from from RC3 to RC10r and I'm going to return it due to the lack of this feature.
Last question! I swear lol I just got the rc500. Maybe I went over my head with the rc500 does the peda have everything and more then the rc5? And can I use my dc 9v caline power brick to power the rc500? I’m sorry I’m super dumb and new when it comes to this stuff
No probs. 👍🏻 Yes - it has everything and more than the RC5 and you should be able to use the power brick but check the voltage as a lot of Boss power adapters are switched when it comes to positive/negative tips 🙄 Have a look at the newer video and that should help - ruclips.net/video/Dw_7fAMn854/видео.html
Just got the rc5. Seems you can't edit your dubs, only undo the last one. Also seems that you cannot record a whole song in seperate loops (verse,chorus,solos,etc.), without switching memory and causing a pause/break. Help!?
Hey 👋 Only just seen both of these messages. All okay? Have a look at my RC-5 and RC-500 playlist - that should help. ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
Hi everyone! I have an issue with RC-5 & Rc-505. When using the loopers as midi clock slave devices, synced to Maschine software, there are glitches / artefacts all over the place. BOSS recommends to turn Tempo Sync off for each track to avoid those issues, but this led to another issue (tracks start / skip bars / stop randomly). SO that was not a solution. I have contacted BOSS about this, they said they tested it with Ableton and it works fine, but in general their loopers dont like to be slaved. However, no matter how i put the MIDI settings on the looper, nothing helps. Is this also the case with RC-500?
Recently sold the RC-10R on, couldn't live with the drums and the auto-fills after every loop pattern, start and ending, was enough to drive you crazy. Usability was iffy too with a FS6, bugs maybe that the update never fixed. So disappointing as an upgrade to the original RC3
Yeah ive heard mixed reviews of the RC-10R.. think Boss were jumping on the Beat Buddy wagon and failed. So you looking at the RC5 or 500 or something else?
@@JohnPaulMusicUK maybe the RC 5, mainly for song sketching and practice, the improved drums sound good. Will check some more reviews I think, the 500 looks great but maybe too advanced for me
could it be programmed like «play loop 1 for two times and then go to loop 2 and then repeat the whole process»? if not, is there something like this in the market?
Sort of. You would have to switch it to single mode instead of multi so it plays the loop B when you select it but you would need something external to control that to do it automatically. Have a look at the parameter guide here as thats where all the midi controls are. static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
Hey so I recently returned my rc3 for the rc500 am I able to store samples or anything from my computer on to one of the memory banks on the rc500? I mainly got the rc500 because of the stop switch
Yes you can. The new RC5 and RC500 uses the Boss Tone Studio app on the computer and you can drag a sample or loop onto one of the memory banks and give it a name. 👍🏻
I would advise to put the looper not on your fx loop but at the end of your pedal chain, that way you can record all your sounds before it reaches your speaker or amp.
Hiya John- I just got the Boss RC-500, but am not sure if it does what I thought it could now. I have been trying to figure out if I can use the two tracks to record & overdub completely different verse and bridge sections, then switch between the two.... the manual has been very confusing & I haven't managed to find any how-to within any of the demos posted on youtube. If it can only use the two tracks for creating layers to use, and not for creating completely different sections, that's a deal-breaker for me & I'll be sending it back to look for another looper... thoughts? It's seems like a waste if the tracks can't be used for entirely separate sections of a song; I've always created dynamics within a single loop by using the undo/redo of layers... hell, I had that on my old Boss RC-1!!!
Hey. Yeah it’s weird they have both a manual and a reference manual. So in short, yes it can and that can be saved per track.. so you could have one track multi and another in single Mode. Go to memory, and scroll through to ‘play mode’ and change it from Multi to single. Have a look at page 5 on the parameter guide, (which i think is more important than the normal manual) which is here: static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
@@JohnPaulMusicUK thank you for taking the time to get back to me brother. I got it figured out with the page you suggested. I edited each track parameter to “single”, and also set “loop synch off” for each track, and set each for “immediate play” as well. I have record mode set to “record/overdub” and in parallel mode, I can now build a verse, then when satisfied, I que the other track with track select, then can seamlessly begin the recording/overdub building of the bridge, then switch between the two by hitting “track select” beforehand, then “play” at the moment I want to switch over. Next step will be to figure out if I can switch tracks in record/overdub mode with one button, rather than having to anticipate with a “track switch” click followed by a “play” click, so I can go right from the finished overdubs of the verse to recording the bridge with one click... haven’t figured out if that action is possible yet. I really appreciate the help!
Just got the RC5. Does anyone know if you can play at your own tempo and then the drums sync to it or must you set the tempo first? Also I would like the count in bar before recording to be default but it seems to keep reverting to off.
Regarding the first part of your question, yes the tempo will just sync, which is awesome as you can save that per memory. 👍🏻 For the second part of your question, I know you can certainly have a count in but unsure why it’s reverting. If you have audio on there it takes the count in off but if the memory is blank (blue) then it should offer the count in.
RC-5 and RC-500 have the same quality of recording but the 500 has 2 loops where the RC-5 has 1. There is more expandability in the RC-500 than the 5.. but it depends what you want out of a looper.
RC-500 question. Struggling with what I consider should be a fundamental function. I want to record with no rhythm track and then add the rhythm track when I’ve recorded the first track of the loop. If I assign my chosen rhythm to the memory before I begin then hit record/start playing guitar simultaneously I can record with no rhythm. I can then play it back without the rhythm track. Once I start the rhythm track it seems I’m stuck with it. If I decide to erase the guitar I’ve just recorded and redo, it the next time I press record the drums start whether I like it or not. I cannot get the drums *not* to play unless I completely erase the track and then I have to reassign my chosen rhythm track and start again. Surely this isn’t right?
Hey Rowland - So this is foxing a lot of people but you need to go into memory - go to rhythm and change the start / stop options of the drum track. I've just made a video about this here: ruclips.net/video/BunZH2Vnbno/видео.html
A recently sold my RC-300, I loved it but hated lugging it to gigs. I got a cheap one but I don't like it at . I have room for an RC 500 on my pedal board, do you think it's worth it. I saw in the comments that it doesn't have a stop all. Have you ever used the TC Electronics (ditto)? That one seems pretty good. let me know what you think.
Having a look at the parameters manual which is available on Boss’ website, it does not look like it has a stop all initially. However, you can assign that stop all start all to an external pedal like an FS-5, FS-6, FS-7 or equivalent. Hope this helps. static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
Hi all I’m looking into the possibilities of the RC5. Just as a backing track machine. Is anyone doing this that might wanna share their experiences. Thanks. This would be more or less a back up system for me.
Yes I have been waiting for an upgrade the size of the RC-30 , I’ve been using the RC-30 in my live show ever since it came out. I would really be interested in something that I could use the drums too. The drums in the RC- 30 are unusable as far as I’m concerned. But I am amazed at how many shows I’ve done with that RC-30 and how durable it is. I also would be interested in having better playback quality especially for the mic input. Vocal looping quality is not that good. I noticed it was better on my RC-300. I was really disappointed in the RC-10R. I need a dedicated stop button. I start and stop loops all the time In my songs.
Thats a real good show of the durability of the RC-30. Yeah its like Boss looked at the Beat Buddy and then has a think 🤔 Im happy with the routing option as it annoyed me with the RC-30, hence the ‘dual mono’.. so thats great with the RC-500. Also the quality when you add multiple overdubs will be much better with 32bit.. thats even higher than the HeadRush Looperboard! Ace!
Hey, great video. I had a RC3 for years. Loved it, but was always a bit sad that you couldn’t do instant undo/redo with an external Footswitch. I also always longed for a rhythm stop/start footswitch option, plus the ability to select accurate bpm tempos. For these reasons, I’ll be upgrading to the RC5. It seems to be everything I wanted the RC3 to be. Quick question though. The RC10R (that I promptly returned!) had one good feature, and that was the option to isolate the rhythm track through just one output so you could send drums to PA and loop to amp for example. Do you know if this is possible with the RC5?
Hey. yeah you can do this. its in the parameters guide of changing the output signal chain. have a look at the guide to make sure it does what you want before you purchase it.
So the RC-5 definitely has a specific tempo, via the dial like 115bpm? Looks like it in the manual but haven't seen a demo of this feature. Love the RC-3, but missing an exact tempo for drums
Please somebody explain how you can assign different rhythms one to each track when you have the RC500 in single mode and you're using each track as Verse and Chorus. Thanks.
So you can’t change the rhythms for each track. They have a variance A & B but you can’t have a completely different rhythm or kit on the same memory. BUT.. The way round it is to program 2 memories beside each other.. let’s say memory 1 & 2. Memory one would be your verse and memory 2 would be your chorus. You can then set different rhythms, BPM’s and kits if you with and then either program one of the three buttons to be memory up/down or use something like an FS6 / 7 to be men up or down or a midi pedal. When you are playing memory 1 and hit the button to go up a memory, it will play either instantly or at the end of the loop.. so you can make different versions.. it just has to be a bit more work. Hope that makes sense?
I’m sorry dude please forgive me for this. Does it glitch out for you. When I’m starting a loop and when I hit play to stop the loop it had like a delayed stop. It flash red like twice or sometimes 4 times and then stop. Sometimes it doesn’t even stop and it just keeps going to going. I’m kinda sad since it’s doing this but was wondering if you know any kinda of fix. I’ve tried to contact boss but it’s extremely hard and rare to get a reply back
It’s okay. Firstly it’s best to contact them via social Media - I find you get a faster response as there is normally someone manning their social media feeds. Are you getting any errors on the LCD display? Is the loop set to end at the end of the loop instead of instantly.. like play the loop out before ending. You can restore back to factory settings also look at the troubleshooting on the manual from page 22. Sounds strange but I’m wondering if it’s just playing out the loop instead of ending instantly and that is a setting you can change.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks for the reply the only thing I’ve changed is I wanted to recording to start when I strum so I turned auto recording on. Also no I’m not getting any lcd error messages. How to I change it so the the loop ends instantly if you don’t mind me asking
Page 2 of the reference manual under the stop options - static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf You really need to spend some time with you and the looper locked away with the manual and reference manual and go through it. It will help massively. 👍🏻
one man band?... i think about it,,but maybee it will be to complicatied? i hope500 would help me,,or i may go to put in finnish backing track from the i mac
I would always look at why you need something. Performance is everything and if looping is going to hinder that then yeah, a backing track option might be the way to go. Depends thou.. you might find that by adding something live to the backing track might just elevate the performance. Sorry for being devil’s advocates there but it’s good to hear both sides. 👍🏻
It depends. Here is the playlist of all the videos I have done for the RC-5 and RC-500 so far. Have a look. The basic functions are simple but the setup is a little more complicated: ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs&si=KsvwFoOZ0aN-HGab
I’m sure they will come down in price over time.. but with things like the Aeros Studio and HeadRush Looperboard in the £6-700 range.. there is a lot of tech in these little boxes.
Crap review. Didn’t show physical product comparison. Not much more information shared than just reading descriptions on purchase descriptions. Keep trying and I’ll keep trying to watch your vids.
Thank you. I will. This was filmed before I was able to get my hands on the loopers and was just a talking comparison. Here is the playlist of all the videos I have done so far with the Boss RC-5 and Rc-500. ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
*CORRECTION* - when I said 9hrs on the RC-3 & RC-30 - I meant 3hrs. Oops. 🤦🏻
RC-500 arrived in the mail a couple days ago. I love it, but it will take getting used to. I've actually been using an old Boss delay with the hold (loop) feature for years and the 500 is light years ahead. Having realistic drum backing is fun, and the loop quality is great. I intend to use it with backing tracks, and using drums instead of fretting the board and strumming a percussive beat for every song. A couple issues I have found is that with attenuated amps set to low wattage, the guitar gets muddied in the drum track, so you need to boost the wattage and lower the amp volume. Also, when strumming a loop, and then adding a beat based off the automatically measured tempo, some audio artifacts appear. Haven't figured that out yet, but that might be a firmware upgrade.
Hey Frank 👋
Oooh that’s very interesting with the wattage. Wondering how that is on battery power vs plugged in as well.
Glad your having it to play with.
Let me know how it goes. 👍🏻
Just bought one; 32-bit helpful for fidelity in layering, 2 inputs, 2 outputs, USB, MIDI, upgrade in LCD color display, durable, etc. Much of the competition may cost less, but are mono only, single phrase storage, simplistic LED display...
Yeah it’s pricey but they have just upped the game with their features in a compact size. Explore it and enjoy!
(I’m not sponsored by Boss but just happy when someone buys a looper! 😆)
The modern looper should have a very flexible interface and flexible uses for the hardware buttons, as well as MIDI expansion. It looks like the big 3 right now (RC-500, HR Looperboard, and Aeros) all have it. I sent the Aeros back after buying it when it first came out but they addressed my concerns in their recent update. I did the same thing with the HR Looperboard, but then bought it again and it's my main looper right now (or was, until I got a RC-500). I have had the RC-500 since Tuesday and it's really wonderful. I was an RC-300 adopter, but not an RC-50 or RC-30, so using a button to switch channels is taking some practice. However, you can put a pair of external footswitches and the channel switch to use making this a two-channel version of the RC-300. So, right now, you really can't go wrong with anything, except that the HR Looperboard is too big to also use external effects, and they still have some work to do in making that system of effects work.
Curious... Did you hang in there with the HR Looperboard all the way up to the 2.0 firmware update? It got a lot better after that. Otherwise what was your sticking point that you couldn't get past with the HeadRush?
@@Acoustribute I wound up re-purchasing it after wandering lost in the woods for a year. The first iteration of the Headrush was cool hardware and dumb software--there were several of the most basic things it wouldn't do. They fixed it, except for the effects are still kinda a mess.
Thats a great comment!
Yeah im sticking with the HeadRush Looperboard for the long haul as I think they will adopt a better FX system like TC-Helicon’s. but Boss are always a great shout and have had so many of their loopers and still have the RC30 and 300
Be very interested to hear how you set it up with the external switch to become a two track 300, that’s exactly what I need
yellowisfriedegg get a pair of boss FS5Us and a stereo TRS to 1/4” TS. On the international site is a parameter guide that tells you what you can do with each of your (now) 5 pedals. Set fs 1 to play/stop/dub tr1, fs2 to stop it, fs 3 to all
Start (which is also all stop), fs4 (which is now called ctrl 4 or something like that) to play/stop/dub tr 2, ctrl 5 to stop tr2. I found a cooler way to do it though, because the track switch isn’t that hard to get used to. So now everything is stock on the pedal but ctrl 4 is all start (which is also all stop) and ctrl 5 is undo redo tr1. Now I record a two layer percussion track on 1 and use ctrl 5 to move between the layers (verse/chorus, for example) and ctrl 4 does the all start all stop. It’s really great and the sound quality (like the HR) is thrilling compared to even the RC-300
I love your quick, comprehensive approach to explaining these phenomenal pieces of gear. I use the 500 along with gt 1000 core for live looping performances while accompanying a singer. Crazy possibilities at the touch of a few switches!
Hey Alfie - oooh that GT1000 core has a lot of potential! So many features!
Yeah it’s all fun with the loopers. Have a look at the playlist of all the videos I’ve done with it so far - ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
Hi JL, probably buy one of these soon, but after deep reading all manual for both units, want to ask if the only way to save a recording is bending you back to the floor and press "write" keys. Is there any other way? ( asignable CTRL FS or midi CC or else) for both units?
Great review. One thing I don’t see in the RC-5 manual is different “stop modes”. For example, playback stops at the end of the loop, or fade out the loop. Did you find those features available in the RC-5? They are so common in loopers, I’d be really surprised if they were left out. 🤔
I’ll check it out Matt and get back to you on here. 👍🏻
@@davidpipkin573 Thank you! When I had searched for the manual a few days ago I only found a brief guide. So happy to read the complete manual, and to see the stop modes are included! Thanks again. :)
The full parameter guide is on Boss' international site, but not the USA site. Figure that one out, I can't. I only know because I asked them. You want to get the parameter guide.
@@davidpipkin573 Thanks a million for this web site. The only reference material I received was a small basic two sheet overview, which was worthless.
You mentioned the battery, so I will add my two cents: I have used the RC 3 with an FS 5U on hundreds of gigs. If you use the battery, it is flawless. If you use the powered input, sometimes there will be a momentary failure of the power and the loop will just disappear. You will think somethings wrong with the pedal, but there is nothing wrong. There are musicians on stage and everything is moving around and sometimes the cable moves a bit and there’s a momentary power failure. Then, you are left with your pants down-the loop disappears. These units should all have rechargeable batteries just like any cell phone. You would plug it in and charge it fully and then use it for the gig. Boss knows that the batteries work and they eliminate one cable. I prefer to have the battery.
And, thank you for your excellent review!
I totally understand. I never know why these companies don’t switch to usb-c cables or something that properly clicks in, instead of the old circular pos/neg pins 🙄
Yeah a rechargeable battery is totally an answer but then that comes with it’s own problems for the company - how to replace - what if one doesn’t work etc.
The alternative is a rechargeable battery pack which is tied to a pedalboard but then you are still connected to that power cable,
Best solution is to use both - sort of - where you are plugged in but then if it looses that connection and the battery kicks in as a backup.
Don’t know how that would work - wish the flagships were battery based too.
Yes, the battery kicks in a fraction of a second later, but it is not seamless. By the time it kicks in as a backup, your loop is gone and there is silence. I tested this to confirm it with a power strip. I would turn it off and on quickly when I had a loop running. Even with the battery in the pedal, your loop disappears, (though it appears to remain “on”.) Thank your for answering me. Keep making these great videos.
Hats a shame but I suppose there is no real way to get an uninterrupted power supply to it without carrying huge batteries and thats just inconvenient.
Thanks 🙏
i just ordered the rc 5, my intention is to use it as a teaching tool, ill start with the metronome, and work my way up.
That’s cool. 👍🏼
I have a playlist of every video I have made on the RC-5 & RC-500 here for you to binge watch.
ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
Enjoy 😉
This preview is absolutely fantastic! Very informative and concise.
Question answer: I use my looper for all of the above: music practice, busking, gigging out, live streaming, etc.
RC500 is very far out of my price range but I would want one otherwise. (It's about time they got with the battery powered options).
Thanks 🙏
Yeah its a great upgrade. 👍🏻
I went from RC-300 to the Singular Sound Areos together with the BeatBuddy and Midi Maestro, and never looked back. I also have the Headrush, and have enjoyed your reviews on that. You should really try the Singular Sound trifecta. I think you would appreciate the versatility and the possibility that opens up. Only thing I miss is the silent switches on my RC-300. But noisy switches seems to be the case with all new loopers these days, the Headrush Looperboard included.
The Areos and beat buddy combo just looks awesome and really want to try it.
I have a beat buddy and it’s cool but I like to hit my carbon fiber guitar to make beats live, it just had a more authentic flavor. It’s all preference though-for awhile I was using the beat buddy with the world beat drum set (which has to be purchased) and I loved the sound.
Kim Borgen i totally agree i have the same setup and its killer. I also went from the RC300 to the Headrush that i sent back as it crashed 3 or 4 times in the middle of a song even with upgrades. I splashed out on the Aeros and Maestro then grabbed two beat buddies, have never looked back. Really amazing products. 👍🏻
7:09 hi, how do you save the rhythm with the loop? As I mentioned on another one of your videos , all my loops deleted on an rc5 I recently bought second hand. I just today backed up a few of my new loops on the computer. While on the laptop I copied a loop I created into another folder to see if it sounded OK when I plugged my rc5 back into the amp. Anyway, the loop didn't have the rhythm part included. Also when I added the rhythm back in at 126bpm it didn't fit right and the loop (bass guitar) started sounding weird and slowing down. Would really appreciate any help on this, again 🙂, as I'm afraid to use this unit for my backing tracks in case I lose everything again.
Okay I got an RC 5 using it for backing tracks works great. If I hook up a rc500 through the midi. Can I sync all three tracks from both units. One for click one for bass one for keys. And can I control all of this from the RC 500? Will it change the presets on the rc5 when I'm changing them on the rc500 to go from song to song?
Hey 👋 sort of but there one or two slight issues with this. You would have to setup a few assigns and midi to control one.
Let’s say the 500 is the one in control. All you would need it to do is follow the midi clock. However, when there is no midi clock (a.k.a you stop the loops on the RC-500) the RC-5 will stop too.. so you will need to program it so it either doesn’t do this or have your workflow in such a way that it works well with both.
It’s a complicated setup
Check out Ben Rowlands video here cause he actually did this and he can show you the complications it can come with.
ruclips.net/video/D-AV3DGeVts/видео.htmlsi=Istsbe3x2L6p1LVy
@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thank you 😁✌️
Yeah I'm just basically going to use them for a backing track player. I started off with the five and I bought a 500. So I can separate bass tracks from keyboards etc on the fly with the volume sliders on the 500.
And then my drummer says can you hook both of them up to play together and have the rc5 play a click track that just goes to my i e m rig.
So I'm like I believe so in theory I should be able to do that no problem with the MIDI.
So my setup is RC 500 loaded with backing tracks. Inputs not needed. Output a goes to backline. Output b goes to f o h. Rc5 loaded with qlick tracks. Input not needed. Output a go to IEM for drummer. RC 500 midi out to rc5 midi in.
Now getting them to play together and sink is where I'm having trouble. On the rc500 I have the first button to play stop the second button is to increase setlist and the third button is to decrease the setlist. Everything works together except for the play and stop. Do you have any idea what I'm overlooking or what setting I should change. I need help with this would be greatly appreciated.
For me the biggest improvement on the RC 500 from the RC 30 is being able to have different length loops. I’ve got an RC 300 which can have different length loops but it’s so big, the 500 is going to be much more pedal board friendly
Yeah it’s a great size and I think any looper now that has multiple loops in 2020 needs to have different loop lengths. 👍🏻
People are actually complaining about the RC 500 isn't able to deal with different loop lengths. Are they right?
I use my RC3 for gigging. Mostly for a drum machine that I record loops live. A few tracks have prerecorded rhythm or bass tracks. I tend to use the 99 tracks as song titles with drums only and then create loops on the fly. The only thing that really interests me with the RC5 is the added drum beats. Not sure I want to spend the money because I am running 2 different pedalboards with a looper on both depending on the gig so it would involve buying 2 of them.
Hi John 👋 - that’s a great idea and love the way you use it. Wanna end up with something like that myself for things like wedding gigs.
Regarding buying two, I totally get it. That would be a pain to reprogram.
I could only really advise, have a look through my RC5/500 playlist and then get yourself down to a dealer that has one on demo and go through it.
Here’s the playlist - hope some of it is useful to you.
ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
I traded in my rc-30 for an RC-5 primarily because of the rhythm tracks. One thing I miss from the RC-30 is the count in function, am I missing something does the RC-5 do this as well? I know you can set it up so you hit the pedal a second time but for me this is not the same.
Count in is ‘intro’ in the rhythm section.
Never looped before! I have a home studio With R-24 I see a lot of loopers and thought I would try it out. Glad to see you videos. After playing the bar seen for 35 plus years and being a home body its hard to find pickers to just sit with and write. I have ordered the RC 500 and am looking forward to learning it. Thank You for the videos.. Could you send me the order that you would watch your videos for the best learning curve? I may have already watched them all. Your video is why I went with the 500 and not the lesser or smaller pedals.
More than welcome. A loop pedal is a great writing tool for ideas and structure building. 👍🏻
Here is the playlist of all the RC-5/500 videos I have done so far - ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
Enjoy and if you need any 1-2-1 coaching you can find that on my website www.johnpaulmusic.co.uk
I just purchased the RC-5 & using it with an FS-6. Had it for about 3 days (so far-so-good). Great sound quality on the loop playback, and the drums are more fun/interesting . . . then just a metronome. I had the Donner triple-looper once, and did not care for it.
Thanks for sharing
@My Simply Music You are a bigger boss fan that I am. Great Job. Enjoyed it. Stay Safe.
How did they miss not putting a dedicated all stop all start switch. The one thing that separates the RC300 its the most used thing i use on my Aeros and RC 300.
Don’t know if that could be assigned with an fs-6 pedal?
JohnPaul Music UK
I’m pretty sure it could, as i know the RC202 your can do that. It was always my biggest complaint with the RC30
Yeah the 30 needs a stop start all. You can ‘sort of’ do it where you stop the pedals and then arm both tracks and then can start again.. but its SERIOUS pedal dancing and nearly impossible to do it in time!
JohnPaul Music UK I know I used it with a FC single pedal for ages and often missed out on getting the pedals all ready for the restart. Ha ha amazing foot work needed. I honestly got the Aeros and the Maestro and the beat buddy all linked up via midi and what a set it is. I use my Play acoustic for vocals and guitar then a sun n up for bass. Just love the Aeros such an amazing work tool. And small. Not sure if you have tried it. It’s really works amazingly well.
Its soooooo tempting. Im worried that if I try one, I will have to argue with the credit card! 😆 😂
On The PDL 3 FUNC, I wanted to know if there is a “stop all/clear all” function. I am seeing T1, T2 STOP(CLR as an option but does does that clear BOTH tracks when pressed and held down?
I’m guessing it does.
It doesn’t. You have to use a FS7 to delete both. A pedal for track 1 and B pedal for track 2. The only good part is you don’t have to hold it down to delete. It happens as soon you hit the pedal.
Good to know as I’m sure a lot of people will want that info. 👍🏻
Great video, some advice please mate as I'm new to looping, i have a Blackstar Silverline 2x12 Stereo Deluxe will a looper work with the 2 housed speakers in my Silverline (I presume what you've looped will play through the one speaker while what you play live will come through the second) or do i need 2 separate amp/speakers? Thanks in advance...
Hey 👋
So the looper will work - if this is a one jack plug in then yeah you can do dual mono looping and have what you looped out of one and play through another - if you want. Or can have both go into the same.
Have a look at my dual mono looping video (this is for voice and guitar but you can adapt it for just guitar loop and non loop ‘play’) ruclips.net/video/tErt9uASsPs/видео.html
Might have watched this already but nice tones and chord structure. Keep going. 👍🏻
Nice review. Hey is there a way to vary the decay of a loop? Like how
fast it fades out. Sometimes called aging on other loopers.
Hey 👋
Yes you can - checkout pg.5 of the reference manual.
You can change it from under 1 beat up to 64 bars.. which is awesome and again it is memory by memory.. so it doesn’t have to be on every patch.
Love that.
Here’s the parameter guide to get your teeth into:
static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
@@JohnPaulMusicUK I see that but it looks to me like that is just fade in or fade out time when you start or stop the loop. On other loopers the loop has to be in overdub mode and most usually a decay knob controls the decay time of they continues loops as they are created. It has become pretty obvious to me that the RC500 does not have this loop aging....so sad.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thanks for the reply. I see what you you are talking about. Have you actually tried this setting and accomplished loop aging? On other loopers you have to be in overdub mode and a knob usually controls the decay parameter. Loop aging is like using a looper as a super long delay. You keep overdubbing as the previous loop and overdubs gradually fade out. I was just doing it with the Ditto X4 that I am getting rid of because of reliability issues. To bad. I like to do the loop aging on top of my RC10R loops. Mobius software on the PC is the king of loopers and this is where I learned it from, long before the Ditto X4 existed.
Ahhhh.. my apologies. Thought you meant a fade.
Yeah you mean loop decay as some call it loop feedback. That’s mad if it doesn’t.
[UPDATE] - NO.. I can’t find it in either the main Manual or the reference manual either 😞
I set mine on my looper to 98% so you don’t overload the audio output
@@JohnPaulMusicUK Boss really missed the mark. I decided to go with Quantiloop and Lumbeats on the iPad. So sweet!
Hi I have the RC5 and as for a 2 trk. looper the RC 500 ,only seams a bit complicated to learn ,only me! in my researching I found a loop pedal that is a 2 trk. looper but looks easier to use ,it also has a Fade button which is a nice way to end songs The Pigtronix infinity 3, just wondering if you had any experience with it and Though you are somewhat a spokesman for Boss, I know you are good at what you do, Thanks Eddie
Hey 👋
I haven’t had any experience with them but I do know from others they are good. My needs are slightly different and I need both XLR as well as Jack inputs. The Infinity only has jack but it’s it does have some nice features.
For the price thou, it’s not that much more to get an RC-600!!
hi! is it possible to change the tracks with the footswitch while playing? For instance, I have 2 sections: verse and Chorus, is it possible to switch between both section without stopping the recording?
Hey 👋
So yes you can. With the RC-5 you could use 2 memories and switch between them. That with work without stopping. Or use undo/redo with one memory, adding and taking things away.
With the RC-500, you can put it in Single mode and have the two tracks as a verse/chorus system on one memory no problem 👍🏻
Hi Paul, do you have any good idea how to use it as a simple vocal looping tool with headphones?
So I would like to use it with battery, mic in, headphones/earphones out.
I'm planning to use a simple Y cable to sum up the left and right channels...
Hey 👋
Yeah that would work.
You can just go mono in and mono out (unless it’s a stereo mic) but most mics are mono anyways so if you plug in the one then it should just be a balanced mono signal, no need for the Y cable or to use input 2. 👍🏻
Hope that makes sense.
I just recently bought a rc3 without even seeing any of this new rc5. Do you think I should return it and is the quality noticeable thru play back? There both the same price.
I would return it if you could - its a big upgrade, the record time, the LCD is more useful and there is more functions/controls when you expand it. 👍🏻
I’m sure if you exchange it for an RC-5 then the vendor will understand why.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK the only thing is the mp3 aux input is really great! Is there anyway I can do something similar with the midi input
Yes... run, don't walk
Hey Beer 👋
I’ve been through the manual and the Midi input is just that and is not an AUX. 😞 Bit of a shame they didn’t keep that on there.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK Does the RC5 rhythm tempo auto sync with the loop you've recorded like the RC3? just upgraded from from RC3 to RC10r and I'm going to return it due to the lack of this feature.
do both 5&500 have the feature to change tempo after record(afecting time,pitch or both)?
yes they do.
Last question! I swear lol I just got the rc500. Maybe I went over my head with the rc500 does the peda have everything and more then the rc5? And can I use my dc 9v caline power brick to power the rc500? I’m sorry I’m super dumb and new when it comes to this stuff
No probs. 👍🏻
Yes - it has everything and more than the RC5 and you should be able to use the power brick but check the voltage as a lot of Boss power adapters are switched when it comes to positive/negative tips 🙄
Have a look at the newer video and that should help - ruclips.net/video/Dw_7fAMn854/видео.html
@@JohnPaulMusicUK dude thank you so much! You were such a big help! I’m definitely gonna subscribe to your channel. Thanks so much man!
Thanks dude.
Ace. 👍🏻
I notice the RC 500 doesn’t have the aux input like the 30 and 300 or does the midi in socket perform this function?
You are correct. 😞
Can I route rythm to 1 output to say PA and guitar loops to 2nd output to amp on the rc5? I'm pretty sure you can on rc500. Thanks
Yea you can do this. 👍🏻
Routing is much more customisable on the RC-5 and RC-500.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks for your response. Do you happen to cover this customization in a video?
Just got the rc5. Seems you can't edit your dubs, only undo the last one. Also seems that you cannot record a whole song in seperate loops (verse,chorus,solos,etc.), without switching memory and causing a pause/break. Help!?
After playing with it some more, I'm ok with it all.
Hey 👋
Only just seen both of these messages.
All okay? Have a look at my RC-5 and RC-500 playlist - that should help.
ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs
Hey, will do. Txs so much. Wish it had song writing features, but this can be done by saving your loops to a device..
Hi everyone! I have an issue with RC-5 & Rc-505. When using the loopers as midi clock slave devices, synced to Maschine software, there are glitches / artefacts all over the place. BOSS recommends to turn Tempo Sync off for each track to avoid those issues, but this led to another issue (tracks start / skip bars / stop randomly). SO that was not a solution. I have contacted BOSS about this, they said they tested it with Ableton and it works fine, but in general their loopers dont like to be slaved. However, no matter how i put the MIDI settings on the looper, nothing helps. Is this also the case with RC-500?
Have you updated the firmware of the RC-5/500?
ruclips.net/video/pBUyIajS_BY/видео.html
Recently sold the RC-10R on, couldn't live with the drums and the auto-fills after every loop pattern, start and ending, was enough to drive you crazy. Usability was iffy too with a FS6, bugs maybe that the update never fixed. So disappointing as an upgrade to the original RC3
Yeah ive heard mixed reviews of the RC-10R.. think Boss were jumping on the Beat Buddy wagon and failed.
So you looking at the RC5 or 500 or something else?
@@JohnPaulMusicUK maybe the RC 5, mainly for song sketching and practice, the improved drums sound good. Will check some more reviews I think, the 500 looks great but maybe too advanced for me
could it be programmed like «play loop 1 for two times and then go to loop 2 and then repeat the whole process»? if not, is there something like this in the market?
Sort of. You would have to switch it to single mode instead of multi so it plays the loop B when you select it but you would need something external to control that to do it automatically.
Have a look at the parameter guide here as thats where all the midi controls are.
static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
Hey so I recently returned my rc3 for the rc500 am I able to store samples or anything from my computer on to one of the memory banks on the rc500? I mainly got the rc500 because of the stop switch
Yes you can. The new RC5 and RC500 uses the Boss Tone Studio app on the computer and you can drag a sample or loop onto one of the memory banks and give it a name. 👍🏻
I have almost no sound when I connect it to stereo fx loop.
Can you please advise?
I would advise to put the looper not on your fx loop but at the end of your pedal chain, that way you can record all your sounds before it reaches your speaker or amp.
Hiya John- I just got the Boss RC-500, but am not sure if it does what I thought it could now.
I have been trying to figure out if I can use the two tracks to record & overdub completely different verse and bridge sections, then switch between the two.... the manual has been very confusing & I haven't managed to find any how-to within any of the demos posted on youtube.
If it can only use the two tracks for creating layers to use, and not for creating completely different sections, that's a deal-breaker for me & I'll be sending it back to look for another looper... thoughts?
It's seems like a waste if the tracks can't be used for entirely separate sections of a song; I've always created dynamics within a single loop by using the undo/redo of layers... hell, I had that on my old Boss RC-1!!!
Hey.
Yeah it’s weird they have both a manual and a reference manual.
So in short, yes it can and that can be saved per track.. so you could have one track multi and another in single
Mode.
Go to memory, and scroll through to ‘play mode’ and change it from Multi to single.
Have a look at page 5 on the parameter guide, (which i think is more important than the normal manual) which is here:
static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
@@JohnPaulMusicUK thank you for taking the time to get back to me brother. I got it figured out with the page you suggested. I edited each track parameter to “single”, and also set “loop synch off” for each track, and set each for “immediate play” as well.
I have record mode set to “record/overdub” and in parallel mode, I can now build a verse, then when satisfied, I que the other track with track select, then can seamlessly begin the recording/overdub building of the bridge, then switch between the two by hitting “track select” beforehand, then “play” at the moment I want to switch over.
Next step will be to figure out if I can switch tracks in record/overdub mode with one button, rather than having to anticipate with a “track switch” click followed by a “play” click, so I can go right from the finished overdubs of the verse to recording the bridge with one click... haven’t figured out if that action is possible yet.
I really appreciate the help!
Just got the RC5. Does anyone know if you can play at your own tempo and then the drums sync to it or must you set the tempo first?
Also I would like the count in bar before recording to be default but it seems to keep reverting to off.
Regarding the first part of your question, yes the tempo will just sync, which is awesome as you can save that per memory. 👍🏻
For the second part of your question, I know you can certainly have a count in but unsure why it’s reverting.
If you have audio on there it takes the count in off but if the memory is blank (blue) then it should offer the count in.
Which is better and why? This is what I came to find out.
RC-5 and RC-500 have the same quality of recording but the 500 has 2 loops where the RC-5 has 1. There is more expandability in the RC-500 than the 5.. but it depends what you want out of a looper.
If you’re just asking which one is better then it’s the RC-500 as it’s like having 2 RC-5’s tied together with more features built in. 👍🏻
Thanks. I've just ordered one.
RC-500 question.
Struggling with what I consider should be a fundamental function.
I want to record with no rhythm track and then add the rhythm track when I’ve recorded the first track of the loop.
If I assign my chosen rhythm to the memory before I begin then hit record/start playing guitar simultaneously I can record with no rhythm. I can then play it back without the rhythm track.
Once I start the rhythm track it seems I’m stuck with it. If I decide to erase the guitar I’ve just recorded and redo, it the next time I press record the drums start whether I like it or not. I cannot get the drums *not* to play unless I completely erase the track and then I have to reassign my chosen rhythm track and start again. Surely this isn’t right?
Hey Rowland - So this is foxing a lot of people but you need to go into memory - go to rhythm and change the start / stop options of the drum track. I've just made a video about this here: ruclips.net/video/BunZH2Vnbno/видео.html
@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thanks. Keep up the good work. Resources for this pedal are quite few and far between.
Does anyone know if there is a clock midi sync on the RC-5?
yes there is - have a look at page 17 of the reference manual here: static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-5_reference_eng01_W.pdf
@@JohnPaulMusicUK WoW that is insane and that is the best news of the day. This thing is a beast. Will get it ASAP. Thanks a million for the answer.
No worries. 👍🏻
A recently sold my RC-300, I loved it but hated lugging it to gigs. I got a cheap one but I don't like it at . I have room for an RC 500 on my pedal board, do you think it's worth it. I saw in the comments that it doesn't have a stop all. Have you ever used the TC Electronics (ditto)? That one seems pretty good. let me know what you think.
Having a look at the parameters manual which is available on Boss’ website, it does not look like it has a stop all initially. However, you can assign that stop all start all to an external pedal like an FS-5, FS-6, FS-7 or equivalent.
Hope this helps.
static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
Hi all I’m looking into the possibilities of the RC5. Just as a backing track machine.
Is anyone doing this that might wanna share their experiences. Thanks. This would be more or less a back up system for me.
You might wanna see this video: ruclips.net/video/txztkFgg7wU/видео.htmlsi=0C-yhOIJolpLTq7H
Yes I have been waiting for an upgrade the size of the RC-30 , I’ve been using the RC-30 in my live show ever since it came out. I would really be interested in something that I could use the drums too. The drums in the RC- 30 are unusable as far as I’m concerned. But I am amazed at how many shows I’ve done with that RC-30 and how durable it is. I also would be interested in having better playback quality especially for the mic input. Vocal looping quality is not that good. I noticed it was better on my RC-300.
I was really disappointed in the RC-10R. I need a dedicated stop button. I start and stop loops all the time In my songs.
Thats a real good show of the durability of the RC-30. Yeah its like Boss looked at the Beat Buddy and then has a think 🤔
Im happy with the routing option as it annoyed me with the RC-30, hence the ‘dual mono’.. so thats great with the RC-500.
Also the quality when you add multiple overdubs will be much better with 32bit.. thats even higher than the HeadRush Looperboard! Ace!
Hey, great video.
I had a RC3 for years. Loved it, but was always a bit sad that you couldn’t do instant undo/redo with an external Footswitch. I also always longed for a rhythm stop/start footswitch option, plus the ability to select accurate bpm tempos. For these reasons, I’ll be upgrading to the RC5. It seems to be everything I wanted the RC3 to be.
Quick question though. The RC10R (that I promptly returned!) had one good feature, and that was the option to isolate the rhythm track through just one output so you could send drums to PA and loop to amp for example. Do you know if this is possible with the RC5?
Hey. yeah you can do this. its in the parameters guide of changing the output signal chain.
have a look at the guide to make sure it does what you want before you purchase it.
Amazing!! Thank you.
That’s it. I’m sold!
So the RC-5 definitely has a specific tempo, via the dial like 115bpm? Looks like it in the manual but haven't seen a demo of this feature.
Love the RC-3, but missing an exact tempo for drums
Certainly can. - page 2 of the reference guide. - www.kraftmusic.com/media/ownersmanual/Boss_RC-5_Reference_Manual.pdf
32 bit processing is very cool....
It certainly is a grande move by Boss 👍🏻
32 bits to me is noticeable and also quite amazing...we’ll see it shwoing up in many more places
Please somebody explain how you can assign different rhythms one to each track when you have the RC500 in single mode and you're using each track as Verse and Chorus. Thanks.
So you can’t change the rhythms for each track. They have a variance A & B but you can’t have a completely different rhythm or kit on the same memory.
BUT.. The way round it is to program 2 memories beside each other.. let’s say memory 1 & 2.
Memory one would be your verse and memory 2 would be your chorus.
You can then set different rhythms, BPM’s and kits if you with and then either program one of the three buttons to be memory up/down or use something like an FS6 / 7 to be men up or down or a midi pedal.
When you are playing memory 1 and hit the button to go up a memory, it will play either instantly or at the end of the loop.. so you can make different versions.. it just has to be a bit more work.
Hope that makes sense?
I’m sorry dude please forgive me for this.
Does it glitch out for you. When I’m starting a loop and when I hit play to stop the loop it had like a delayed stop. It flash red like twice or sometimes 4 times and then stop. Sometimes it doesn’t even stop and it just keeps going to going. I’m kinda sad since it’s doing this but was wondering if you know any kinda of fix. I’ve tried to contact boss but it’s extremely hard and rare to get a reply back
It’s okay.
Firstly it’s best to contact them via social
Media - I find you get a faster response as there is normally someone manning their social media feeds.
Are you getting any errors on the LCD display? Is the loop set to end at the end of the loop instead of instantly.. like play the loop out before ending.
You can restore back to factory settings also look at the troubleshooting on the manual from page 22.
Sounds strange but I’m wondering if it’s just playing out the loop instead of ending instantly and that is a setting you can change.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks for the reply the only thing I’ve changed is I wanted to recording to start when I strum so I turned auto recording on. Also no I’m not getting any lcd error messages. How to I change it so the the loop ends instantly if you don’t mind me asking
Page 2 of the reference manual under the stop options - static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RC-500_Parameter_eng01_W.pdf
You really need to spend some time with you and the looper locked away with the manual and reference manual and go through it. It will help massively. 👍🏻
one man band?... i think about it,,but maybee it will be to complicatied? i hope500 would help me,,or i may go to put in finnish backing track from the i mac
I would always look at why you need something. Performance is everything and if looping is going to hinder that then yeah, a backing track option might be the way to go.
Depends thou.. you might find that by adding something live to the backing track might just elevate the performance.
Sorry for being devil’s advocates there but it’s good to hear both sides. 👍🏻
Number 4 is bad luck in Japanese culture. Nice review, by the way.
Oooh didn’t know that! Fair enough.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK because "four" and "death" sound identical in Japanese.
Oh wow!
Is the RC500 difficult to figure out by someone with a slight learning disability ?
It depends.
Here is the playlist of all the videos I have done for the RC-5 and RC-500 so far. Have a look. The basic functions are simple but the setup is a little more complicated:
ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs&si=KsvwFoOZ0aN-HGab
Both massively overpriced. I had to do a double take on the RC5 price tag.
I’m sure they will come down in price over time.. but with things like the Aeros Studio and HeadRush Looperboard in the £6-700 range.. there is a lot of tech in these little boxes.
@@JohnPaulMusicUK in the states its 200/00 free shipping that seems great with all it can do.
I think so. 👍🏻
Crap review. Didn’t show physical product comparison. Not much more information shared than just reading descriptions on purchase descriptions. Keep trying and I’ll keep trying to watch your vids.
Thank you. I will. This was filmed before I was able to get my hands on the loopers and was just a talking comparison.
Here is the playlist of all the videos I have done so far with the Boss RC-5 and Rc-500.
ruclips.net/p/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs