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$200+ productBOSS RC-5 Loop Station Looper Pedal
A compact single-track stereo looper with premium 32-bit processing, 13 hours of total recording time, 99 phrase memories, 57 rhythm patterns, MIDI control and USB loop backup.
Current U.S. street pricing is around $210–$220; Guitar Center currently lists it at $209.98 after a small price drop. Retail pricing can move, so check the retailer for the current amount.
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Quick verdict
The RC-5 sits in a useful middle ground between simple one-button loopers and much larger multi-track stations. Guitar World calls it a strong all-rounder for practice, writing and live use, and the combination of 99 memories, 13 hours of stereo recording, onboard rhythms and MIDI makes it a high-intent product for players who have outgrown a basic looper.
Verified specifications
What you are actually getting
- Type
- Compact single-track stereo looper pedal
- Audio conversion
- 32-bit AD/DA
- Processing
- 32-bit floating point
- Sampling frequency
- 44.1 kHz
- Loop engine
- 1 stereo track
- Maximum recording time
- Approx. 1.5 hours per track / 13 hours total across memories
- Phrase memories
- 99
- Rhythms
- 57 patterns with A/B variations
- Drum kits
- 7
- Loop functions
- Record, overdub, play, stop, undo/redo and reverse
- Display
- 96 × 32 graphic LCD with RGB backlight
- Inputs
- Stereo 1/4-inch input A/Mono and B
- Outputs
- Stereo 1/4-inch output A/Mono and B
- External control
- 1/4-inch TRS Stop/Memory jack for footswitch or expression control
- MIDI
- TRS MIDI In and Out
- USB
- USB Type-B for loop backup/import
- Power
- 9V alkaline battery or BOSS PSA-series adaptor
- Battery life
- Approx. 2 hours with alkaline battery
- Weight
- 450 g / 1 lb including battery
- Dimensions
- 73 × 129 × 56 mm / 2-7/8 × 5-1/8 × 2-1/4 in
Why it stands out
Pros
- ✓13 hours of total stereo loop storage and 99 phrase memories give it far more room than a basic looper
- ✓32-bit AD/DA and 32-bit floating-point processing keep layered loops clear
- ✓RGB-backlit LCD makes loop position and record/playback state easy to monitor
- ✓57 built-in rhythms with seven drum kits make it useful for practice without extra gear
- ✓Stereo inputs and outputs work well with stereo pedalboards, keyboards and wider live rigs
- ✓TRS MIDI I/O supports synchronization and deeper control in advanced pedalboards
- ✓USB backup and WAV import make it useful for lessons, backing tracks and saved loop material
- ✓Classic BOSS compact chassis keeps a feature-heavy looper pedalboard-friendly
Before you buy
Trade-offs
- •The single onboard footswitch can feel limiting for live players who want dedicated stop and memory controls
- •An external footswitch is the easiest way to unlock more direct live control, adding cost and pedalboard space
- •Battery life is only about two hours, so regular users will usually prefer a 9V adaptor
- •It is a single-track looper, so players who need independent multi-track looping should look at larger RC models
- •The built-in rhythms are practical for practice but are not a substitute for a dedicated drum machine
Best use cases
Practice
Build rhythm and lead parts over your own chord loops, then add one of the onboard drum grooves.
Songwriting
Save up to 99 ideas and return to them later instead of rebuilding the same loop every session.
Live looping
Use stereo I/O, external control and MIDI to integrate the RC-5 into a more advanced performance rig.
Backing tracks
Import WAV files over USB and use the pedal as a compact playback hub for lessons or gigs.
Video demos
See the RC-5 workflow before buying
BOSS
BOSS RC-5 Loop Station — Introduction Movie
Official introduction covering the RC-5 workflow, LCD, rhythms, loop memory and compact format.
PMTVUK
BOSS RC-5 Loop Station — Features, Demo & Quick Start Guide
Independent walkthrough of the controls, drum machine, reverse function, loop saving and real playing examples.
Who should buy it?
RC-5 makes the most sense when...
Good fit
You want a compact pedal for serious practice and songwriting, need to save loops, want built-in rhythms, or plan to use MIDI and external control later.
Look elsewhere if...
You only need the simplest possible one-button looper, or you need multiple independent tracks with dedicated footswitches for complex live arrangements.
Research sources
Where these specs and claims were checked
Buying option
Check the current BOSS RC-5 price
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