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Average Price: $40

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$301+

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Description

Introducing the Boss RC-20 Loop Station, the ultimate tool for musicians seeking to enhance their performance and discover new sonic landscapes. With an impressive 5 1/2 minutes of sampling time and a library of ten loop storage, this pedal is a powerhouse for creativity. Whether you're a singer-songwriter or a sound explorer, its instantaneous tempo change functionality and compact dual-stomp design will open up a new world of musical possibilities without overcrowding your pedalboard.

Key Features:

  • 5 1/2 minutes of sampling time
  • Instantaneous tempo change
  • Ten loop storage bank
  • Compact dual-stomp design
  • Ideal for expanding performance abilities
  • Great for experimentation and sound expansion

Product specs

Brand Boss
Model RC-20 Loop Station
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Made In Taiwan
Categories Delay Pedals, Loop Pedals and Samplers

FAQs

What is the maximum recording time on the Boss RC-20 Loop Station?

The Boss RC-20 Loop Station offers a total sampling time of up to 5 1/2 minutes, allowing you to create and store multiple loops for live performance or practice.

Can the Boss RC-20 Loop Station store multiple loops?

Yes, the Boss RC-20 can store up to 10 looped phrases and one "one-shot" phrase, even after the unit is powered off, providing flexibility in live and studio settings.

Does the Boss RC-20 Loop Station have a reverse playback function?

The RC-20 features a reverse function that allows you to create reverse sample playback on the fly, adding creative possibilities to your looping.

What inputs are available on the Boss RC-20 Loop Station?

The Boss RC-20 includes mic input, instrument input, and auxiliary input, enabling you to sample vocals, instruments, and prerecorded audio simultaneously.

How does the Loop Quantize function enhance the Boss RC-20 Loop Station?

The Loop Quantize function helps you create perfect loops by automatically aligning your recordings to a set tempo, ensuring tight, synchronized playback during performances.

Sarah Cunningham

Sarah Cunningham

Boss RC-20 Review/Demo

Video thumbnail for Boss RC-20 Review/Demo by Sarah Cunningham

Boss RC-20 Review/Demo

Sarah Cunningham

Sarah Cunningham

Video thumbnail for Boss RC-500 vs. Boss RC-20 by Leoh Kharlo

Boss RC-500 vs. Boss RC-20

Leoh Kharlo

Leoh Kharlo

Reviews

PROS

  • Can replace other loop stations, offering more features

  • Allows for adding drum and rhythm backing tracks, enhancing practice sessions

  • Includes a metronome feature for keeping timing and BPM

  • Connection for microphone expands usability

  • Saves loops for later use, improving workflow

  • More indicator lights and well-spaced knobs prevent accidental setting changes

  • Unique reverse button feature for creative loop manipulation

  • Durable and retains functionality over time

  • Intuitive loop start mechanism, ensuring precise loop timing

CONS

  • Larger footprint than a single pedal, requiring more pedalboard space

  • Learning curve can be steep for new users

  • Lacks an undo function, demanding perfect performance

  • Microphone input is not XLR, requiring an adapter

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss RC-20 Loop Station.

Features and functionality

  • The RC-20XL Loop Station includes dual foot switches, simplifying basic functions like record, overdub, and stop, which can be quickly learned for home practice.

    Source
  • It supports 16-bit/44.1kHz audio conversion, which is lower than some competitors offering uncompressed 24-bit audio, though the perceptible difference is debated.

    Source
  • The RC-20 has only 5 minutes of looping time compared to the RC-20XL's 16 minutes, limiting longer performances.

    Source
  • The RC-20 lacks a sophisticated undo feature, which can result in erasing all overdubs, unlike the RC-20XL.

    Source
  • The RC-20 does offer an undo function, but it's limited and less user-friendly compared to newer models.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The RC-20XL offers more advanced functionality compared to simpler models like the Ditto, which can limit creativity once basic functions are mastered.

    Source
  • Boss loopers, including the RC-20XL, are often praised for their quality and compared favorably against other brands, with many users loyal to the brand over years.

    Source
  • Digitech Jam Man Stereo and Boss RC-3 with an external footswitch are suggested alternatives, offering potentially better sound quality than the older RC-20XL.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners frequently recommend using YouTube tutorials to quickly grasp the extended features of the RC-20XL Loop Station.

    Source
  • Owners of the RC-20 note the lack of a fade-out feature, impacting live performance flexibility.

    Source
  • Some users mention using the RC-20 primarily for idea sketching rather than live performance due to its limitations.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • It's suggested to keep the RC-20XL set up permanently in a home practice area to mitigate space concerns and encourage regular use.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 12 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
sayteekay

Loops pretty good

but it is not really intuitive and it is not tb. Takes up a lot of real estate. I do not enjoy using it tbh but it has some really useful features and does what it is supposed to.

kulastrio

One Track Looper that Does The Job

I Bought this because I love Ed Sheeran (but he uses RC20XL before, not RC20). got it for about $152.

Pedal Feel

It's amazing how this pedal feels. When you step on it for the second time to set the end of the loop, the loop starts just where you want it to, unlike other loopers that feels like there's a little bit of delay.

No Undo

One thing that I kinda dislike about this is that there's no undo function. You really have to practice to perform your piece perfect.

Mic Input

Unfortunately, the mic input is not XLR but a TS jack., so I had to buy one.

Sound Quality

You can hear that there's a not so noticeable compression.

OVERALL

This is great, but if you can afford

M

15+ years old

And it still works as well as it did on day one. Boss, your stuff is unbeatable.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Daron Malakian uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Daron Malakian

Singer, Guitarist

System of a Down

...
Verified via Photo

Daron brought the Boss RC-20 to the Souls 2004 show. It didn't end on his final pedalboard though.

See how Stuart Braithwaite uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Stuart Braithwaite

Singer, Guitarist

Mogwai

...
Verified via YouTube

After the Boss Tremolo is a Boss RC-20.

See how Efrim Menuck uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Efrim Menuck

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

...
Verified via Photo

Efrim's board. Top left pedal - in red.

See how Brian Aubert uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Brian Aubert

Singer, Guitarist

Silversun Pickups

...
Verified via Photo

This photo of Brian Aubert's pedalboard, taken at a Silversun Pickups gig at the Belly Up Tavern in November 2006, shows his Boss RC-20 Loop Station pedal.

See how Richard Bona uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Richard Bona

Bassist

Pat Metheny Group

...
Verified via Roland

The product website insists that Richard Bona uses this looper.

See how Tyler Bates uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Tyler Bates

Guitarist, Composer

Marilyn Manson

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, taken from his Premier Guitar interview, many of his studio pedals are photographed. One of the pedals in this photo is Boss RC-20 looper.

See how Mike Dawes uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Mike Dawes

Guitarist

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

"I had the Boss RC-20, but I just replaced it with the DigiTech JamMan XT Express, which is incredibly compact and super-affordable. It’s stereo, it’s true bypass, it has a very small footprint, and it’s all I need—on and off."

See how The Haxan Cloak uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

The Haxan Cloak

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

The Haxan Cloak, a music producer known for his electronic and experimental soundscapes, is confirmed to use the Boss RC-20 Loop Station. This equipment is visibly utilized in his performance at the Boiler Room X Bowers & Wilkins Primavera Sound, as observed at the 7:36 mark in the provided video by Boiler Room.

See how Ángel Parra uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Ángel Parra

Guitarist, Composer

Los Tres

...
Verified via Photo

In a 2014 photo of Ángel Parra's pedal board, you can see the inclusion of the Boss RC-20 Loop Station.

See how Dan Briggs uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Dan Briggs

Guitarist, Bassist

Between the Buried and Me

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen at 3:54, just to the left of the DL4

See how Tomo Milicevic uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Tomo Milicevic

Guitarist, Bassist

Thirty Seconds to Mars

...
Verified via Photo

Tomo Milicevic includes the Boss RC-20 Loop Station in his gear setup, as shown in a user-uploaded photo of his gear diagram.

See how Colin Hay uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Colin Hay

Singer, Guitarist

Men at Work

...
Verified via Hugeracksinc

The second is an acoustic board designed for Colin Hay of Men at Work. Colin wanted a very versatile system that was state of the art. It allows him to blend his dry acoustic sound with stereo effects.

A custom box was built by Martin to allow a DI feed and stereo XLR through the pedals to the house as well as a mono amp send. The box also allows a master mute of all outs to the tuner and a mute of the XLR's and amp send individually. The XLR's are ISO'd with two Jensen Transformers.

The signal chain is as follows: Custom switching box---Demeter Tube DI---EBS Comp----Durham Sexdrive----Fulldrive II----Boss Loop Station---TC Modulator----TC Nova Delay---Swith box.

The Demeter tube DI is an incredibly natural sounding piece. The TC pedals blended in stereo are amazingly spacious.

Album Usage

The Boss RC-20 Loop Station has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss RC-20 Loop Station, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
rothhandlestudios

rothhandlestudios

Gear IQ 1963

alecani

alecani

Gear IQ 2393

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