Boss RC-505 Loop Station

THE FLAGSHIP TABLETOP LOOPER, NOW MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER
Infinitely inspiring, the RC-505 Loop Station has become an essential performance instrument for beatboxers, singers, and club performers around the world. Filled with new features requested by top users, the Version 2.0 update brings even more creative power to the flagship tabletop looper. Simultaneous effects can now be used in the Input FX and Track FX sections, and a number of new effects types are included. Many refinements to the loop functionality offer a multitude of ways to enhance and improve live performances. The control target functions have been greatly expanded as well, providing a wealth of external control options for musicians who loop with guitars, keyboards, and other instruments.

Features:

Tabletop Loop Station that can be operated with the hands, perfect for beatboxers, vocalists, and club performers

Five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks, with dedicated controls and independent volume faders

Wide range of Input FX and Track FX for processing loops, including DJ and sampler-style effects

Independent play mode and tempo sync settings enable a flexible combination of track behaviors and advanced performance options

99 phrase memories, each containing five phrase tracks, custom effects/playback settings, and more

85 onboard rhythm patterns, including odd-measure beats

External control via MIDI and optional footswitches or expression pedal

USB for phrase import/export and DAW integration with computers

XLR mic input with phantom power, mono/stereo instrument inputs, and stereo aux input

Version 2.0: Newly Added Features

Up to three effects can be used simultaneously in both the Input FX and Track FX sections

New effects types, including Ring Modulator, Slow Gear, Pitch Bend, and others

Extended parameters added to previous effects, including dotted and triplet note values for tempo syncing

New targets for external foot control, ideal for musicians who play guitar, keyboards, and other instruments

Assign functions have been increased from 8 to 16, providing expanded performance control via the front panel, external footswitches, expression pedal, and MIDI

Enhanced Phrase Memory functions such as individual track monitoring via headphones, quantized loop recording, and more

Added system functions, including loop indicator status settings and more

Five Stereo Tracks with Dedicated Controls
The RC-505 features five stereo phrase tracks that can play simultaneously, the most yet in a BOSS Loop Station. Independent record/overdub/play and stop buttons for each track let you capture and control loop performances with your fingertips, and dedicated volume faders allow you to mix loop levels on the fly. Each track can have its own playback mode (multi, single, one-shot, reverse, etc.) and tempo sync settings, providing an unlimited range of creative looping behaviors.

Powerful FX Onboard
With the RC-505’s large selection of built-in effects, it’s easy to enhance your sounds as you perform. Input FX allow you to process the sound during loop recording, while Track FX provide further processing options for phrase playback. Six dedicated on/off buttons—three each for Input FX and Track FX—can be loaded with your favorite effects, while grab-and-go knobs let you tweak parameters such as filter cutoff and effect depth in real time. With the Version 2.0 update, the assigned effects can now be used simultaneously, and newly added effects types offer even more processing options to choose from. Global compressor and reverb effects are also on hand, perfect for adding some finishing polish to the overall sound.

Phrase Memories and Rhythms
99 phrase memories provide onboard storage for phrase track data, various playback and effects settings, and more. A combination of frequently used settings can be saved as a User Set, which you can easily load to quickly reconfigure any phrase memory, even in the heat of performing. 85 different onboard rhythms offer backing for loop recording, with a large selection of odd-measure beats for advanced looping. The rhythm part can be routed to the rear-panel Phones jack only, giving you a dedicated click track for monitoring purposes. With the Version 2.0 update, it’s possible to route individual phrase tracks to the headphones as well.

Audio Inputs and USB
The RC-505 is outfitted with a number of simultaneous inputs, allowing you to capture and mix a variety of different audio sources as you build loops. There’s an XLR microphone jack with phantom power, mono/stereo ¼-inch inputs for guitars, synths, or other instruments, and a mini-jack for connecting a smartphone or other stereo device. Via USB, you can plug into your computer and import/export WAV audio phrases, great for loop archiving or loading up phrases with live backing tracks or sounds for sampler-style triggering. The RC-505 also functions as a USB audio/MIDI interface, making it easy integrate with music software for stage performing with a laptop, audio recording, MIDI sync, and more.

Customized Looping Control
The RC-505 lets you set up customized real-time controls, extending your command of looping and many other operations. With the Version 2.0 update, you can specify up to 16 different functions and access them in a variety of ways—with front-panel controls, an external expression pedal or footswitches, and/or various MIDI CC messages. Many newly added target functions are tailor-made for foot control, perfect for looping musicians who have their hands occupied with a guitar, keyboard, and other instrument. The 16 control assignments are stored with phrase memories, allowing you to create and recall custom setups for different songs and performing situations.

SPECS:

Nominal Input Level:
INPUT MIC (variable): -40 dBu (typ.), -10 dBu (max)
INPUT INST (variable): -10 dBu (typ.), +4 dBu (max)
INPUT AUX: -20 dBu

Input Impedance:
INPUT MIC: 4 k ohms
INPUT INST: 200 k ohms
INPUT AUX: 22 k ohms

Nominal Output Level: LINE OUT: -10 dBu
Output Impedance: LINE OUT: 2 k ohms
Recommended Load Impedance: LINE OUT: 10 k ohms or greater

Recording/Playback:
Maximum Recording Time: Approx. 3 hours (stereo)
Maximum Phrase Memory: 99
Number of Tracks: 5
Data Format: WAV (44.1 kHz, 16-bit linear, stereo)

Effect Type (INPUT FX/TRACK FX):
FILTER
PHASER
FLANGER
SYNTH
LO-FI
GUITAR TO BASS
TRANSPOSE
ROBOT
VOCAL DIST
VOCODER
COMP
EQ
ISOLATOR
OCTAVE
PAN
SLICER
DELAY
TAPE ECHO
GRANULAR DELAY
CHORUS
REVERB
BEAT REPEAT *1
BEAT SHIFT *1
BEAT SCATTER *1
VINYL FLICK *1

*1 TRACK FX only

Effect Type (MASTER FX):
COMP
REVERB

Rhythm Type: 85
Display: 16 characters, 2 lines (backlit LCD)

USB:
Mass Storage Class
Audio/MIDI

Connectors:
INPUT MIC jack: XLR type (balanced, phantom power: DC 48 V, 10 mA Max)
INPUT INST (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
INPUT AUX jack: Stereo miniature phone type
PHONES jack: 1/4-inch Stereo phone type
LINE OUTPUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch Stereo phone type
CTL 1, 2/EXP jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
USB port: USB Type B
MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
DC IN jack

Power Supply: AC adaptor
Current Draw: 420 mA

Accessories:
AC adaptor
Owner's manual

Options (sold separately):
Footswitch: FS-5U, FS-6, FS-7
Expression pedal: Roland EV-5, FV-500L, FV-500H

SIZE AND WEIGHT
Width: 420 mm, 16-9/16 inches
Depth: 210 mm, 8-5/16 inches
Height: 68 mm, 2-11/16 inches
Weight: 1.4 kg, 3 lbs. 2 oz.