Boss RC-50 Loop Station

^# 19

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$250.77 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (37)

2 Critic Reviews

4 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Boss RC-50

6 community setups

31 wishlisted

81 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (16)

$250.77 5 available Used

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Average Price: $475

High-end/Boutique

$100

$301+

Price Tier

In the Looper Effects Pedals category, Boss RC-50 Loop Station is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Boss RC-50 Loop Station, an unparalleled looper designed for the most demanding musicians. Whether you're a solo artist or part of a band, this pedal offers a vast array of features that make looping a breeze. Its seven footswitches allow for nimble navigation, while the 99 patch loop bank provides plenty of space for your sonic explorations. With a remarkable 49 minutes of recording time, you can create expansive soundscapes or intricate compositions. This loop station doesn't stop there - it can simultaneously play up to three stereo phrase effects, adding depth and complexity to your performances. Plus, its support for WAV files via a USB port opens up a world of possibilities. Truly, the Boss RC-50 Loop Station is a powerhouse for live performances and studio sessions alike.

Key Features:

Seven footswitches for easy control
99 patch loop bank for storing your creations
Impressive 49 minutes of recording time
Capability to play three stereo phrase effects simultaneously
WAV-file supported with a USB port for enhanced playability

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	RC-50 Loop Station
Finish	Black and Red
Year	2000s
Categories	Loop Pedals and Samplers

FAQs

How many loops can the Boss RC-50 Loop Station record simultaneously?: The Boss RC-50 Loop Station can play up to 3 stereo phrase tracks simultaneously, allowing for complex layering and looping in live performances or recording sessions.
Does the Boss RC-50 Loop Station have MIDI capabilities?: Yes, the Boss RC-50 features MIDI clock synchronization, enabling you to sync loops with other MIDI-enabled devices for seamless integration into larger setups.
What is the total recording time available on the Boss RC-50 Loop Station?: The Boss RC-50 offers ultra-long recording time, allowing up to 49 minutes of mono recording, which can be divided among its 99 patches.
Can I use a microphone directly with the Boss RC-50 Loop Station?: Yes, the Boss RC-50 includes an XLR phantom-powered mic input, enabling you to connect microphones directly for vocal or instrumental looping.
Does the Boss RC-50 Loop Station support USB connectivity?: The Boss RC-50 is equipped with a USB port for data/audio backup and allows you to import or export loops as WAV files, facilitating easy management of your loop library.

Videos

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Edward Owen

Boss RC 50 Looper Demo

Edward Owen

How to setup an RC50 loop station for live performance

John Gilliat

Boss RC50 Looping Pedal Pt1 of 2

SamAshdotcom

RC-50 Loop Station at Winter NAMM 2006

BOSSchannel

Reviews

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PROS

Best layout for live looping
High durability with easily repairable switches
Upgrade from previous models offers noticeable improvements
Functional as a backup unit
Versatile use with different instruments for one-person-band setup
Offers endless looping possibilities
Recognized as a top looper when released

CONS

Replacement knobs can have poor movement compared to factory knobs
Initial skip when setting a loop with quantizing
Guide track difficult to turn off
Slight delay in loop start/stop may challenge timing
Not quite perfected compared to newer models like the RC-505

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss RC-50 Loop Station.

Features and functionality

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The Boss RC-50 lacks the RC-505's DJ effects, prompting users to seek external processors like the Korg Kaoss Pad KP3 for live sound manipulation.
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The RC-50 includes three separate inputs, which can be maximized by routing all instruments through a mixing board first for easier management.
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The RC-50 allows playing unquantized loops of different lengths, facilitating unique phasing effects not possible with newer Boss loop stations.
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An initial playback delay on the first loop is noted, affecting the first note; however, subsequent loops play as expected.
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Comparisons

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The RC-505 is favored over the RC-202 for its clearer display and additional tracks, offering a more user-friendly experience for effect selection.
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Some users prefer the RC-505 for its immediacy and creative potential over software solutions like Ableton for live looping.
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The Aeros Loop Studio is suggested as an alternative, with numerous demonstration videos available for prospective buyers to assess its features.
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Some users transitioned to the RC-300 for its improved functionality, such as individual stop buttons for each phrase, which the RC-50 lacks.
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User experience

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Owners have adapted by using footswitches like the FS-5U with the RC-505, finding hands-on control more intuitive despite initially seeming counterintuitive for guitarists.
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The RC-50 is favored for its ability to handle distinct loop lengths, providing creative flexibility during live performances.
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Mods and upgrades

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The Nektar Pacer midi footswitch is recommended for expanding control capabilities beyond the basic two-switch setup with loop stations.
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Owners recommend using auxiliary switches for one-tap actions like delete and reverse, enhancing live performance adaptability.
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Use cases and applications

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Users highlight starting loops with guitar as a common practice, emphasizing the need for foot-operated controls in their setups.
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Users integrating multiple instruments like drum machines, synths, and bass into the RC-50 suggest using a Keystep 37 for seamless input control.
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Setup and maintenance

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It's recommended to start with a mixer if budget is a concern, optimizing the signal chain before utilizing the RC-50's looping capabilities.
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Critic Reviews

Boss RC-50 Loop Station - Looper Pedal Reviews

looperpedalreviews.com

The Boss RC-50 Loop Station is a powerhouse for musicians seeking extensive looping capabilities, offering vast memory, high-quality sound, and a plethora of features. Despite minor playback delays and MIDI sync issues, its potential for creative experimentation with multi-track layering and overdubbing is immense. While not ideal for tech novices or those expecting flawless operation, its versatility and robust functionality make it a standout choice for seasoned loopers.

positive

Full Review

Boss RC-50 Loop Station review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Boss's RC-50 Loop Station is a powerhouse for loop enthusiasts, offering unparalleled looping capabilities with its multi-track, looper, and rhythm machine features. Musicians will find themselves crafting groove-based progressions effortlessly. The build quality is robust, with a metal chassis and intuitive layout, making it stage-ready. However, the manual isn't the most user-friendly, and a lack of a click track for drummers can be a letdown. Despite these minor drawbacks, the RC-50 is a creative catalyst, encouraging users to explore and innovate. It's a must-try for any musician looking to expand their sonic horizons.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 37 Ratings

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solusash

1787

over 6 years ago

On And On Anon

Loops for days. And days for loops! I've never really mastered the whole loop thing, and since there seems to be a slight (few millisecond) delay between the loop start/stop with this pedal (or my timing is slightly off, could be that, I won't front), that's made it a bit harder on me to get used to looping.

Still, this thing, when you do get it going, it goes and goes and goes! You can do all kinds of crazy things with it! Got a drum pad set? Play some drums, then loop a bass line over it, then play your guitar and sing. You're a one person band! Don't have drums? No problem! Use your acoustic guitar as a drum set! Bang on the body for the drums, use the strings as a snare and cymbals!

The possibilities are endless with this station. And with the new ones?

Dude, just go get one. Or the new ones. Or the RC-1. Or just SOMETHING that's got a looper built with it.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Electronic Folk rock Progressive rock

mistertim

over 11 years ago

Fun but slightly flawed looper

The RC-50 was the best looper of it's kind when it was released, but did not quite hit perfection (the RC-505 hit perfection). 3 phrase loops, some great features, and a looper that has been used joyfully by many a performer, but had some shortcomings that have been almost completely remedied in the 505.