BOSS RC-600 Loop Station, Flagship floor-based Loop Station with next-level sound quality and flexibility,Red

Product Information

The screens on both the 505 MK2 & the 600 are also incredibly similar. In fact, both loopers share the exact same menu structure & navigation. Virtually all the systemwide settings are identical, as are all the audio routing options. Stereo inputs and outputs: All BOSS Loop Stations support mono or stereo inputs and outputs. This is great if you run a stereo rig, but it can be a great way to experiment with looping different instruments together. Two XLR mic inputs with phantom power, two stereo line input pairs, and three stereo assignable line output pairs. Live use: some pedals are easier to use in live performances than others. You probably don’t want to need to bend down to adjust your pedals in a performance. The RC-3 isn’t quite dated, but it feels that way when you compare it against the RC-5’s RGB LED screen.

Buying an external footswitch to add to your RC-3 might give you enough control over your loop that you don’t need to consider the RC-30. Crucially, over the RC 300, you also get both mic and master compression with the RC 600. All of which should give you a more level and even mix.

BOSS created the RC-1 to compete against the incredibly popular Ditto Looper by TC Electronic ( read my review of the Ditto here). The Ditto Looper became popular thanks to the low price and easy-to-use features. The Ditto can record up to five minutes, while the RC-1 records up to 12 minutes in stereo. You’re unlikely to ever need to record a loop that long, so both pedals provide more than enough recording time. If you feel split between the features across these two options, look at the prices of secondhand RC-3 pedals to see whether the extra features in the RC-5 is worth the extra cost. For anyone who’s often ‘on the go’, you’ll be pleased to know that the RC 500 can be powered by batteries (4X AAs). Something you cannot do with an RC 600 looper.

But if you want to create multiple loops, complex layers, and use other advanced features like what you saw in the above video, one of the more feature-filled loop stations like the RC-30, RC-500, or RC-300 might suit you better. The best looper pedal depends on what you want from it. There is a big difference between many of the Loop Stations covered in this guide. The Automatic mode will begin recording as soon as you start playing. The Count-in mode gives you a bar of rhythm set at a tempo of your choice (using a tap tempo button) before it starts recording. As you will read next, a better comparison is the RC-3 and the RC-5. Read about the RC-5 below before you decide on either one. Unlike the other loop station pedals in this guide, the RC-10R really does focus heavily on the rhythm aspects instead of the looping aspects. BOSS RC-10R vs RC-30

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The RC-500 basically takes the brains of the RC-5 and puts it in a bigger enclosure to give you far better control over your loops and rhythms. You have a lot more control over your loops, the ability to store recorded loops on the pedal, and mix in rhythm patterns. A few other things may be an issue, depending on what you’re looking for. First, and most obviously, there is no longer an expression pedal as there was on the RC-300. The certainly isn’t a deal breaker, but it was nice having it on the RC-300. The RC-600 also costs more than the 300 did, even at release. You’re able to connect an external footswitch so if in the future you begin to feel limited by the one footswitch, you can easily expand it for more control. RC-3 vs Ditto X2 In terms of rhythms, the RC 600 comes out on top too. It has over 200 built-in rhythms, while the RC 500 makes do with just 57.