Boss RC-500 Loop Station

^# 35

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$279.00 to $351.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (2)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

Find out who is using Boss RC-500

15 community setups

10 wishlisted

71 saved

Page last updated Jun 12, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated June 12, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.0 (38)

$351.99

View Deal

4.5 (20)

$351.99

View Deal

4.5 (398)

$337.97

View Deal

4.0 (20)

$300.86 52 available New

$224.99 17 available Used

View Deal

4.0 (1)

$351.99

View Deal

5.0 (2)

$351.99

View Deal

$351.99

View Deal

4.5 (179)

$285.00 $279.00 $6.00 · All time low

View Deal

£261.00

View Deal

Average Price: $323

High-end/Boutique

$100

$301+

Price Tier

In the Looper Effects Pedals category, Boss RC-500 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

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Boss RC-500 Loop Station". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Meet your ultimate on-stage companion - the Boss RC-500 Loop Station. A dual-track titan, this pedal brings the power of two full loop tracks, mic inputs, and stereo instrument inputs right under your feet. Whether you're a singer-songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist, or a guitarist looking to expand your horizons, this pedal is your ticket to unbounded creativity.

Derived from its compact RC-5 sibling, the RC-500 boasts class-leading 32-bit AD/DA and 32-bit floating-point processing, ensuring unparalleled sound quality. With a whopping 13 hours of recording time and onboard storage for 99 phrase memories, you'll never run out of musical ideas.

Add to that the 16 additional drum kits supplementing its 57 preset rhythms (with A/B variations), and you have a versatile beat machine at your disposal. The cherry on top? You can effortlessly sync it with your DAWs and drum machines via MIDI for seamless integration into your setup.

Key Features:

Two full loop tracks, mic, and stereo instrument inputs
Class-leading 32-bit AD/DA and 32-bit floating-point processing
13 hours of recording time
Onboard storage for 99 phrase memories
16 extra drum kits and 57 preset rhythms with A/B variations
MIDI sync with DAWs and drum machines

Owner's manual

Boss RC-500 Loop Station User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type	Loop Station
Looper	99 x Phrases, 2-track Looper
Looping Time	1.5 hours (1-track), 13 hours (max memory total)
Presets	57 x Rhythms (2 variations), 16 x Rhythm Kits
Effects	Loop FX, Reverb (rhythm parts)
Inputs	2 x 1/4" (A/mono,B), 1 x XLR (mic)
Outputs	2 x 1/4" (A/mono,B)
MIDI I/O	2 x 1/8" TRS (In,Out)
USB	1 x Micro-B
Other I/O	1 x 1/4" TRS (control 1/2,expression)
Bypass Switching	Buffered Bypass
Storage	WAV file audio (backup via USB)
Software	Boss Tone Studio
Power Source	9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries	4 x AA Batteries
Power Usage	330mA
Height	2.5"
Width	6.75"
Depth	5.43"
Weight	1.9 lbs. (excluding battery)

FAQs

How many loops can the Boss RC-500 Loop Station store?: The Boss RC-500 Loop Station can store up to 99 phrases across its two-track looper, with a maximum recording time of 13 hours.
Does the Boss RC-500 Loop Station have built-in rhythms?: Yes, the Boss RC-500 includes 57 rhythm presets with two variations each, and 16 rhythm kits, providing versatile backing options.
What inputs and outputs does the Boss RC-500 Loop Station offer?: The Boss RC-500 features two 1/4" inputs, one XLR mic input, two 1/4" outputs, MIDI I/O, and a USB port for connectivity and control.
Is the Boss RC-500 Loop Station compatible with external footswitches?: Yes, the Boss RC-500 can be used with external footswitches or expression pedals via its 1/4" TRS control input, allowing for expanded control options.
Can the Boss RC-500 Loop Station be powered by batteries?: Yes, the Boss RC-500 can be powered by four AA batteries, making it portable for on-the-go use. It can also be powered by a 9V DC power supply.

Videos

Add video

loopop

BOSS RC-500 Review and full tutorial // Including LoopStation MIDI control

loopop

BOSS RC-500 Loop Station - Our New Flagship Dual-Track Looper Pedal

BOSSchannel

BOSS RC-10R vs BOSS RC-500 Loop Station! Which should you choose!? | Product Review

Ben Rowlands Music

Deep Dive and Review - Boss RC-500 2 Channel Looper

EytschPi42

BOSS RC-500 Loop Station Review! A Two Track BOSS Loop Pedal done right!? | Product Review

Ben Rowlands Music

RC-500 Full Review & Demo w/ Chapters - Boss RC500 - Loop Station Guitar Pedal Reid's Review

Reid's Reviews

Boss RC-500 - How to Route the Loops

JohnPaul Music UK

Use BOSS RC-500 Pedal Functions! IT'S EASIER TO LOOP!

Ben Rowlands Music

Boss RC 500 Loop Station Basic 1 And 2 Track Looping | How To Turn On The Quantize Feature

Brent Hutchinson

Getting Started with the BOSS RC-500 Loop Station Compact Phrase Recorder

Sweetwater

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Easy to use, intuitive design enhances usability
Lightweight and compact without sacrificing functionality
Versatile input options for both instrument and vocal looping
Superior sound quality with 32-bit processing
Extensive memory and loop time capabilities
Allows for complex song creation with beat and rhythm features
Customizable controls and assignable footswitches increase flexibility
Stereo functionality and I/O level controls for advanced setups
MIDI compatibility expands creative possibilities
Durable build quality ensures longevity

CONS

Higher price point compared to some competitors
Software for computer integration (Boss "Tone Studio" app) is outdated and lacks features
Some users experience difficulties with MIDI synchronization as a slave device
Background noise and limited gain reported with microphone use
Small footswitches may be less ergonomic for some users
Learning curve due to the wide range of features and settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss RC-500 Loop Station.

Features and functionality

0 0

RC-500's MIDI sync struggles with timing drift, causing loop dropouts or distorted audio when using 'Loop Sync' or 'Tempo Sync' settings.
Source
0 0

Owners recommend setting "Tempo Sync" to "off" and using specific track settings like "Loop Sync: on" and "Measure: Auto" to avoid skipped loops and artifacts.
Source
0 0

Users report success with panning each track to L and R for separate output routing, though it requires precise input settings to avoid feedback.
Source
0 0

Some owners achieved separate channel outputs by setting track inputs to mic or instrument L/R, avoiding 'ALL' to prevent self-feedback.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The Aeros Loop Studio is praised for its seamless MIDI syncing, unlike the RC-500, which faces issues with maintaining sync.
Source
0 0

The Ditto X4 was found to not lock to clock as tightly as the RC-500, making the RC-500 a preferred choice for capturing timing accurately.
Source

Software and compatibility

0 0

Users recommend using the RC-500 as the master clock to minimize MIDI sync issues, as it struggles with being a slave device.
Source
0 0

Users report the Alesis SR drum machine and E-RM as effective master clock sources for improving MIDI clock stability.
Source
0 0

Using high-quality MIDI clock sources and avoiding multiple intermediate devices in the MIDI chain enhances performance as a MIDI clock follower.
Source
0 0

An unofficial RC-500 editor is available and may provide a clearer overview of settings, aiding in troubleshooting and customization.
Source

User experience

0 0

Some owners find the RC-500's MIDI sync capabilities unreliable, leading them to seek alternative loopers like the Pigtronix Infinity for better performance.
Source
0 0

Some users find success by practicing precise timing when punching out loops, specifically just before the next beat, to avoid issues.
Source
0 0

It’s noted that track and global settings can differ, so it's crucial to verify these distinctions for consistent performance.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The RC-500's MIDI sync issues are particularly problematic in setups where precise timing with external sequencers is required.
Source

Other

0 0

A dedicated MIDI clock, such as the Blokas MidiHub, improves stability but doesn't completely resolve the RC-500's sync problems.
Source

Critic Reviews

Boss RC-500 review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Boss RC-500 Loop Station balances simplicity with impressive functionality, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced musicians. Its robust design and excellent audio quality are major highlights, alongside useful features like MIDI integration and extended recording time. However, the limited effects and need for some setup could deter users looking for an all-in-one solution. While it may not replace a comprehensive pedalboard, it serves as a reliable tool for practice and performance alike. Overall, a solid investment for loop enthusiasts!

positive

Full Review

BOSS RC 500 | REVIEW - Guitar Interactive Magazine

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

The Boss RC-500 Loop Station is a powerhouse of creativity, offering impressive two-track looping, extensive onboard effects, and a wealth of recording time. Its high-quality audio processing ensures clarity, even with multiple overdubs, making it a versatile tool for both seasoned musicians and aspiring loopers. However, newcomers may find the multitude of features overwhelming, suggesting that simpler models might be a better starting point. Overall, for those ready to dive deeper into looping, the RC-500 delivers an expansive playground of sound.

positive

Full Review

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

rb142

589

over 5 years ago

Super intuitive looper

This is by far the best looper I've ever used. I upgraded to this when my TC Electronic Dittox4 broke as I'm familiar with Boss' superior build quality. But it's not just built better; unlike the Ditto, the MIDI actually works on this device! I send a clock signal to it from an external drum machine, and the loops quantise perfectly every time without any issue. The buttons are re-mappable with the option to add an external foot-switch for 2 more buttons that can be assigned to a multitude of different onboard parameters. At 32-bit, the loop quality is excellent with no audible compression. Memories can be assigned and named for not just audio content, but also various parameters and settings. Eg. One memory could be set to stop the loop at the end of the bar, and another memory could begin a massive fade-out when the stop button is pressed). You can assign the MIDI output to be a MIDI Thru - which is very useful. I opted for a Midi Solutions Quadra-Thru to minimise the risk of damage to the 3.5mm trs sockets in a live band setting. There's a screen - so you can visually see how far through a loop you are, and it also changes colour depending on whether you're recording, playing or overdubbing. The inputs and outputs are assignable for signal routing options.

I initially found the lack of 5-pin midi annoying, but I now realise that once you've converted your midi signal to TRS, then if you have other midi capable pedals on your board also supporting TRS midi, then you can chain them with aux cables.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Genres:

New Wave Post-punk Gothic

From Gear Setup