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Average Price: $89

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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 Grouper uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Grouper

Music Producer

Badgerlore

...
Verified via Photo

Seen in this performance photo

See how Jim Campilongo uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Jim Campilongo

Guitarist, Composer

The Little Willies

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, found on Jim's website, a Boss RC-20 can be seen.

See how Joseph Andreoli uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Joseph Andreoli

Singer, Guitarist

Giraffes? Giraffes!

...
Verified via Facebook

"New set up! Boss TU-2 > Digitech Whammy > Zinky True Grit > Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde > Electro-Harmonix Nano Muff Overdrive > Line 6 FM4 >Boss DD3 > Boss TR2 > Ernie Ball VP JR > Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Plus > Akai Headrush > Boss RC-20", Taken from Joseph Andreoli's Facebook.

See how Stian Westerhus uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Stian Westerhus

Guitarist

Ulver

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"I was using Boss RC-20 loopers when I first started building those big boards, but I didn’t like their headroom and preamps."

S

Sacha Dunable

Guitarist

Intronaut

...
Verified via Premierguitar

According to Premier Guitar, Dunable uses Boss RC-20 loop station.

See how Masahiro Tobita uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Masahiro Tobita

Guitarist

Envy

...
Verified via reddit

In a discussion on Reddit, user Tazmily228 shared a post about ENVY (Japan)'s pedalboards, where two Boss RC-20 Loop Stations are visible. One of the loopers does not appear to be plugged in, suggesting it might be a backup or used for specific performances by Masahiro Tobita.

See how John Haughm uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

John Haughm

Singer, Guitarist

Agalloch

...
Verified via Effects Bay

In an interview with Effects Bay, John Haughm discusses the gear on his pedalboard, including the Boss RC-20 Loop Station.

C

Cody Kelly

Guitarist

If These Trees Could Talk

...
Verified via YouTube

If you freeze at 0:23 you can see the pedalboards of Cody and Jeff. Cody has a Boss RC-20 sitting on the upper left of his board.

See how Gerry Leonard uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Gerry Leonard

Guitarist

David Bowie (band)

...
Verified via Photo

The Boss RC-20 can be seen as a part of Gerry Leonard's rig In this photo from his official website,

See how Mike Gallagher uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Mike Gallagher

Guitarist

Isis

...
Verified via YouTube

At 4:25, Mike says he uses the RC-20.

See how Michael Gallagher uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Michael Gallagher

Guitarist

Isis

...
Verified via YouTube

At 4:26 in the video, Michael mentions his Boss RC-20 pedal.

See how Michael Gibbons (Bardo Pond) uses Boss RC-20 Loop Station

Michael Gibbons (Bardo Pond)

Guitarist

Bardo Pond

...
Verified via effettidiclara

Michael Gibbons of Bardo Pond features the Boss RC-20 Loop Station on his pedalboard, as detailed by effettidiclara.

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 2413

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