BOSS RC-30 vs BOSS RC-500 Loop Station!! Is it worth the upgrade!? BOSS RC-500 WHAT'S NEW!?

The BOSS RC-30 was my very first loop pedal! It was what began my passion for live looping! Today we are going to do a BOSS RC-30 vs BOSS RC-500 comparison video! I am getting very excited to go back to a two track loop pedal with the BOSS RC-500 for certain live looping setups!
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Thanks for watching!!

[@BenRowlandsMusic]

Check out my BOSS Product Guides and more: www.benrowlandsmusic.com

[@marca7434]

Damm dude ... Great video !!! Killer info and fast, yet not rushed, very clear. You really have nailed the art/skill of making videos. Thank you 🎵

[@williamnorth5277]

I’m crap at looping so your vids are very helpful. My RC 500 is on order. Keep it coming. Thanks.

[@CaseyWickstrom]

Excellent video, seriously. Straightforward and packed with useful information. Thank you. 🙏🏻

[@PaulMorhen]

Great video, have being trying to decide which one would be best and this was really informative

[@willyssinging1206]

Thanks for this great video bro. I’m picking up 500 after watching this 👍🏻

[@grantnelson]

Excellent comparison & video quality

[@TadJennings]

You didn’t mention that the rc30 has an aux and that it’s a shame the 500 is missing this necessity. The 500 would have been better if they also gave it an aux input

[@mellocello]

Thank you for the informative video. I love my RC30, and have the outrigger FS-6. That outrigger really makes the RC30 a dream to use. Also, I get about 20 hours of use from 6 Rayovac (budget) batteries. You are right about the sound quality, especially for more complex instruments such as cello, but it's something I can live with. The one thing that really surprises me is its robustness. I've been busking with it for ten years, and I don't really treat it nicely. It has never complained, works every time.

[@raymondhirschfeld4382]

Thanks...a good all round comparison....I'm sold

[@russstanziale3375]

Great overview, Ben. Can you run the two tracks sequentially (verse/chorus) or are they only for stacking?

[@abramtreadwell722]

Thank for this! I was sold on the RC500 by minute 2:38

[@aaronabercrombie4610]

These videos are awesome! Stoked for the 500. Should have listened to you on the 10R. Definitely not a pedal built for gigs.

[@mdenison2567]

Really great video dude. Question for the group.... Anyone else a bit gutted they binned ALL the old effects? I didn't use them often, but for a few songs I really enjoyed using the LoFi and pitch bend for example. Getting rid of them all seems like a bt of unnecessary step backwards when they could have just updated them...

[@nicolim6656]

Great video. You mentioned that there's no rhythm hardware volume control, are you still able to adjust the volume of the rhythm or backing tracks you load on?

[@mike1967sam]

Please somebody explain how you can assign different rhythms one to each track when you have the RC500 in single mode and you're using each track as Verse and Chorus. Thanks.

[@mobizoid8261]

Nice review. Hey is there a way to vary the decay of a loop? Like how fast it fades out. Sometimes called aging on other loopers.

[@kevindelk]

I like to record backing tracks from KZbin etc via the Aux input. I see the 500 doesn't have that. Is it Bluetooth capable? Download tracks can be added via USB but I don't always have downloaded able backing tracks

[@automstone7613]

What is the best boss looper for song writing and recording music ?

[@ethaneverettgutheil5692]

My first loop pedal was the RC-20XL! I must be a little older than you lol. I picked up an RC 500 a few days ago. So far I love it! Even more than my Headrush Looperboard! Only downside I can potentially see is the lack of a third output for "rhythm" out (which I just use for metronome). But I'm finding ways around it with a second mic or maybe you can help me figure out something I can do with MIDI to resolve it!

[@SergioSouzaTeatro]

Hola! From Argentina. Tengo uno, enciende pero muchas veces no prende el display. Le puse baterias, le puse las fuente y nada. A veces anda a veces no. Alguna idea?

[@WoozleEffect]

Great overview!

[@BenRowlandsMusic]

Thank you!! Hope your doing good!

[@bigslav5043]

thanks ben, i,m old school gadget wary , i want a looper to play covers with a couple of chums. and would like a rhythm program. i would appreciate your advice.

[@PoserAddictsLLC]

@Ben Rowlands Music - Hello Ben! I haven't found any videos explaining the difference between the FS-6 and FS-7 footswitches, maybe because the FS-7 is so new. Are the pedals set to do the same thing, just the FS-7 being smaller and compact, or is the FS-6 although larger with 2 individual footswitches. Do they do the same thing? Or is the FS-7 the newer version of the FS-6 and smaller? I'm trying to figure out which one to buy, they are between 59 EUR and 69 EUR here in Germany, and as we are in total lockdown, I cannot simply go to the Music Store in the city and ask anyone. And since the RC-500 is really new, most of the folks at Just Music Berlin, don't really know much to answer any of my questions about this newer gear. Thanks for reading my comment, hope you are staying safe, and I'm enjoying all your videos about this brilliant gear - Greetings from Berlin, Germany - Antonio.

[@lauriehwrdlh]

My first and current looper is the original boss RC20... I bought it in 2001, I think, from the Guitar Centre on Sunset Bvld whilst at LA Music Academy on a summer scholarship. They used to have Alex Van Halen's drum kit in the "museum" entrance and B.B Kings guitar, Lucille, on the other side. Oh the memories, RC500 will be my next one, will be sad putting my 20 year old industry changing bit of history in the cupboard after all this time 😔

[@dennisloobman8013]

I completely wrote off the RC30 years ago and I can’t understand why nobody talks about the very obvious question of series and parallel looping. All they (and even you Ben) say is “this is a great looper”. I got myself an RC-20XL back in 2010. It was the same size format as the RC30 (like carrying a housebrick around in the gig bag) but it only had a single loop, I wanted to do verse chorus. I personally can't see any other reason for having two loops, and I borrowed an RC30 off my mate for a try out, but I wasn’t able to get it to do verse chorus and he didn't know how to do it either. I was so disappointed I gave up and bought my current Pigtronix Infinity (which does everything the RC30 could do and lots more). The RC30 is able to remove the first track while the second track is playing, but that was it! It wasn’t a massive step away from basic ‘undo/redo’, which to me made it a bit of a ‘one trick pony’, so what was the big deal with it? IMHO series/parallel is the most OBVIOUS 'difference' between RC30 and the RC500. Now here you are doing “a comparison” and not mentioning this apparently blatant difference, so my question to you Ben is; did YOU ever get the RC30 to do verse/chorus? I wasn’t able to do it, I’ve never seen anyone ELSE doing it in any KZbin review, I can't find anything about it online and yet everyone still raves about this ridiculously limited pedal. Is it me, or am I missing something?

[@Lugaresrotos]

panning in track 1 and 2? Thanks!! :)

[@SebastianTreeMusic]

Great video maten

[@nathanrobarge6970]

I prefer the stomps on the rc20 vs rc500, and the aux. The higher audio quality is why I upgraded.

[@flymakena]

Can you put FX on input mic?

[@diogocaetano2646]

Hey man! Nice content on this video. I have one question. Are the tracks independent like, you can record a 1 bar section in track 1 and a 2 or 4 bar section in track 2? Or variable bars in the same track? I don't know if I'm being clear enough. Thanks! Nice job!!!

[@JamieVictor]

I’ve been searching KZbin for the same question / answer. On the RC-30, however many bars you record on track 1, you have to match when you record on track 2. This makes sense but is also stupid and limiting. I want to be able to make a 3 second drum loop on track 1, and then record a multi-bar bass line for however long I want on track 2. Do any of these loopers do this?

[@lauriehwrdlh]

Sick burn on the split LCD display on the RC30. My RC20 doesn't even have a display.... 🤣

[@cs20m]

Preset names is all that I'm missing in the RC30. In many ways I like its physical architecture better than the "newer" Boss pedals.

[@zachbrady8168]

Are you gonna post the Headrush Looperboard review soon? Also would love to hear about the new serial mode improvements in the update that came out today!

[@BenRowlandsMusic]

It will probably be Saturday’s Videos! Keep a look out for it!

[@MattGilmourMusic]

Hi Ben! Thanks again for your content! I was wondering, I recently sold my rc-300 as I needed to scale back on gear size. I have been using my old rc-30 as workaround. One of the features I really miss though, is being able to have track 1&2 as separate sections like you can on the 300. Ie putting verses on one track and chorus on the other, and on the 300 I could have a bridge on track 3. Do you know if the 500 can do this? Or is it only layers over each other like on the 30? Thanks dude! Happy New Years!

[@Giovannigio123]

I would also like to know that

[@MattGilmourMusic]

@@Giovannigio123 two years has a way of figuring things out for me. I know the answers my self now! :) the 500 can certainly play in sequence or parallel. Like I asked. I own the 30-300-500-600 now :) it does take some setting up to make it work as different sections though. It comes out of the box set for both channels to work at the same time. Theres lots of videos explaining. If you have trouble finding it, ping me again and I might be able to put a short one together for you.

[@qixiaowhs]

NO aux in？？？

[@freerockstar]

Well you can type the BPM you want on the rc-500 and that's decent.

[@martinaleksandrov7080]

Hey man, I hope you put a video on the MIDI performance of the Rc-500! :) Are there improvements over RC-505?

[@BenRowlandsMusic]

Hey! Still waiting on my RC-500 to arrive to test this out fully! Hopefully should be with me soon! Will for sure do a video about the MIDI functions!

[@45zapatero]

@@BenRowlandsMusic Great ! Would like to know if you can use it with a drum machine like the singular sound beatbuddy.

[@martinaleksandrov7080]

@@BenRowlandsMusic cheers dude!

[@ubellubo]

I picked up a really cheap used RC-30 yesterday. I considered buying a new RC-50, but this RC-30 was a third of the price. If I get better at playing guitar and looping I might consider an RC-600 down the track.

[@LOFIGSD]

For most people who have the RC30 it does what they need, but yes, it is dated, if buying new, then get the new one.

[@santosinio1]

This "small" truck may be was "hiding" in his blind spot ...🤔

[@javiercisternasnajle]

Rc 30 is way better than the 'upgrade' rc500 on batteries last not long enough for street performers.

[@JuicyLeek]

The dramatic drop in battery life is what’s preventing me from “upgrading” to the RC-500. For people like me who prefer cable-free wireless everything, this is a deal breaker.

[@xuxi1578]

Excellent video...I have my RC 30 and the only problem that I had it's to Swich from track 1 to track 2 ...i am thinking 🤔 to upgrade to RC 500

[@fedplaysguitar]

Use and external footswitch

[@garystackhouse5787]

I PREFER the old footswitch layout. I use an external footswitch to change tracks on the RC30, which I can move away from the others so it wouldn't accidentally get triggered during a performance. My problem with the NEW layout is that when I want to stop and start the loop while singing, the switches are FAR too close together to do this safely and consistently when not looking directly at the unit. It's too easy to accidentally hit the track button (or multiple buttons) instead of the stop when you are singing into a mic and can't look directly at the unit. This is a deal breaker for me, as I find it difficult enough to do on the RC30, and it's an absolute necessity to be able to do so in my show. Sorry, BOSS, you lost me on this "upgrade." (I can't be the ONLY one who has this issue.)

[@hemantsharma4351]

Boss has dropped the ball on being able to set a drum beat using 'chukka chukka' loop on your guitar. Rc2 has this but most newer ones done 😢

[@javiergiacomone9861]

Prefer the rc5, better and soft pedal

[@RealShinyDummy]

The mic input on the RC500 is useless! And the battery life is about an hour, compared to the RC-30’s ~7.5. The 500 is a scam if you wanted to lay down vocals or use batteries. Sweetwater even sent me a replacement to compare, same thing. It’s just not as advertised.

[@GregoryGuay]

Bummer

[@GuitarG123]

Footswitches on the RC 30 are way better and smoother

[@GregoryGuay]

The RC-30 stomp is nice and quiet too- I imagine the 500 has a louder snap, or is it quiet gentle touch? I need a quiet stomp for elec-acoustic gigs,,,

[@GuitarG123]

@@GregoryGuay I have never used the RC500 but the RC30 is very quiet with the footswitches and intuitive to use,the footswitches are big and smooth with good rubber grip on them.

[@GregoryGuay]

@@GuitarG123 Agreed - same here. Considering an upgrade for the dual track option.... but want to know if the tracks can be different lengths. 8 bar over a 4 bar pattern...

[@GuitarG123]

@@GregoryGuay Once you record the first track that governs the length of the 2nd track but I use 2nd track to add percussive rhythm and bass and then bring this in and out as required during song.Also means tou can leave the percussive track playing and then turn off first loop if you wanted to play a chorus for instance.Recommend an external fs6 for changing tracks though.

[@GregoryGuay]

@@GuitarG123 Bummer. It would make so much sense for a guitarist to be able to loop a 4 bar rhythm pattern on Trk 1 and then on Trk 2 record the 12 bar rhythm guitar part on top of it..... I wonder if there are ANY loopers that work this way?

[@samburnsoa2909]

Who the heck’s gonna record a 3 hr loop 😂😂😂

[@raffaelbar4879]

Who the fuck wants to loop 3 hours or even 13 hours

[@GregoryGuay]

Phish cover band

[@JONASALMEIDACE]

Bla bla bla