Boss RC-20 Loop Station

This unit is easy to use except for the tempo matching to a drum machine or live drummer. The manual does not dive deep into the functions of this unit, and I found it for the most part useless. The unit is easy enough to use without a manual

I am using it with a Les Paul, and a Marshall AVT150 Stack. It is noisy when NOT being used (lots of hiss coming out of the amp when the unit is not being used). I had to put a noise gate on it to dampen it.

I would not use this on a live gig. I have tried several times to use it in sync with both a drum machine and a live drummer and found it extremely frustrating to use. By myself on my acoustic with no one else it worked great.

I originally got this so I could play a chord progression and record it, let it loop so I could play lead with it during live performances. I was originally looking at the Boomerrang, but it costs a lot more. I think it would be a great mistake to use this box during a live show; but for messing around it works fine. I do not think it will take the place of a good digital recorder. For the most part I feel I wasted my money buying this thing since I already have a digital recorder that has a drum machine and a programable bass synth on it.

Overall easy to use, got it working perfect on 1st try, no manual needed. I got even more proficient after reading the manual. One concern, I bought an FS-5u to switch phrases but your original phrase is repeated before it goes on th the next phrase automatically. Wish I could switch phrases, mid-song without having to bend over and do it by hand.

Sounds good enough for me. I pumped my Korg Karma playinng midi files into it...saved the phrase it works great.

Only had it 4 weeks and it seems ok.

Haven't needed support yet.

Its a great match, I play a solo gig. I could either lay down background phrases then play leads to it or lay down leads and strum behind it. Works great either way. Only other issue is the tempo button...it doesn't seem to match perfectly to what tempo I tried to create (while being in sync with a drum machine). I have to experiment more.

The RC-20 is very easy to use, I almost didn't even have to look at the manual at all. I wish there was a foot control to switch from different phrase banks.

I think the sound quality is good, You have to be careful how you set the levels. I think the metronome is to loud and and heavy, a simple rimshot would have sufficed.

all BOSS products have been very durable, and reliable.

If I got my RC-20 stolen, I would replace it right away. I even thought about getting two of them. For the price, you can't beat it. It is great for practicing and recording, and with a little ingenuity you can use it live just as well as the more expensive loop stations. You're only limited by your creativity and talent, that is all up to you, after all folks,.. BOSS can't do everything for you.

This thing is VERY easy to use. The only challenge is knowing how to loop properly, but the pedal is as easy as can be. The manual is OK as long as you know how to read.

The sound quality is pretty damn good. What yo put in is what you get out, as long as you do the levels right. I use a Conklin GT-7 through a SABDDI to a Composer to a Mackie 1400. It may very marginally darken the sound, but it's almost imperceptible.

Boss stuff is heavily armoured. I have a few of there things, they all work after many, many years.

N/A

The five and a half minute time, the selectable loops, the quantize function (for those that are intelligent enough to know what that actaully means) all make this a very useful option for those that don't have the $$$ for a repeater.

Good grief, this thing is TRIVIAL to use. I checked around before buying it, and based on comments here and elsewhere was able to plug and play. I still haven't looked at the manual: it's self-explanatory.

It's not perfect: your sound will be colored; a little darker or maybe muddier, even when not in use. It adds a little noise (not much, but it's there) when in use, and the noise gate that cuts things out completely when volume is down can be annoying. Otherwise, the reproduction quality (never-minding the tonal complaints) is quite good: what you heard the first time you played through it is EXACTLY what you hear each loop, and the loop is instantaneous - no pause whatsoever.

I haven't had it long enough... seems sturdy, and I've never had a Boss pedal go bad on me (out of about 5 that I've owned) but I won't rate it.

Again, n/a.

First off, I got this thing so that I can practice guitar solos by myself, and for that, it's PERFECT. I just play the progression I'll be soloing over, and loop it. Then I play the solo over it until I've got it licked. I can make up a few "just in case" solos, too... or just mess with it long enought that I can feel the changes coming, and improv over the whole thing. Whatever I want to do... anyway, that's the only reason I got it, and for that purpose, it's a to-die-for piece of gear. Absolutely awesome, worth every dime, and yes, if I lost it, I'd get another one and have them overnight-deliver it.

I've been playing about 14 years and can't believe I never had one of these or even anything like it. Occasionally I would tape something and play it back, but that is time-consuming and annoying to stop/rewind. This is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered for practice.

I've been a bit of a gear junkie the past several years, going through numerous guitars and amps while searching for a tone I could call my own. I think I have that, but recently I got back to working on my chops... one generally doesn't through the name "Boss" around for "must-have" pieces of gear, but the RC-20 is definitely a "must-have". You won't play it on stage (probably not, anyway) since it colors your tone. But you'll use it for practice more than any other pedal you own... you will if you want to be a monster guitar player, anyway - nailing a solo that fits the progression perfectly.

Anyway, for these reasons, I have to give it a '10': fantastic value.

Start/stop/rec/playback very easy. Little hard to tell which phrase is selected for rec/play from standing up (LED would be helpful), but I've got poor vision:-(. Very compact, sturdy unit (good!). Must use knob to change selected "bank" (or buy add-on footswitch that moves up only). Auto-start recording is very handy.

Not pristine, but good enough for live and practice situation. Wouldn't record vocals with it, but good enough to jam along with (and would track guitars if appropriate). Playback level seems inconsistant with different "takes", but could be I haven't found the sweet spot yet. Play '76 Strat (JBJr p/u) thru POD w/both metal (rectified) and outlaw-country (chunky Twin) sounds, and also Martin-D18 ac direct via Fishman Rare Earth Hummer. It "dulls" the sound a bit, but is still quite usable! Upshot of "duller" tone is that what's being played over the loop cuts better.

Only had it short time, but it's built like a tank.

n/a

My goal was a product I could QUICKLY lay down a rhythm track/groove of whatever I'm working on, and then practice soloing over it. This is the perfect tool! Been playin' nearly 20 yrs but very little lead gtr in that time. Workin' on R&R, metal, and country soloing. UNEXPECTED STUFF: overdub feature handy for workin' out grooves (and just great fun!); might bring it out "live" for open mic/acoustic stuff. GREAT STUFF: 5.5 min of samplin';sample memory survives being unplugged; dual-pedals; tiny!. NOT-SO GREAT: sound quality; quantize/guide track (could be I just don't "get it", but I don't need it either); AC Adapter extra. If lost/stolen, I'd beg, borrow, or steel to get another.

not bad, but it takes some time to get used to.

It colors my sound, and I can for sure tell it's not true bypass. Using carvin guitars, yamaha dg amps, boss cs1 and nf1, morley badhorsey wah with fulltone inductor.

Boss, reliable, do you need to ask?

Okay, her goes. I had this thing for two years, and I liked it fine. I saw my buddy play in a club, using a boomerang, and I went out and sold this pedal the next day. The rang blows this pedal away. I think, if you don't have the cash, go for the boss, since it will get you through, but the rang is the shit!!

Hey Shane. Enough already. You got a lemon, get over it. Even great car makers have a lemon roll off the production line once in while.

The Loop Station is butt easy to use. I reviewed it in October 2001 and have since chaged my opinion regarding using it in the effects loop. I've found it sounds much better at the end of the signal chain (the volume drops are far less inconsistent than they are through the effects loop) than it does through the effects loop.

Very good sound quality compared to Boomerang, Headrush, Line 6 DL4, and Jamman. I have had the Boomerang and Headrush, which don't match tonal quality with the Loop Station. I have the DL4 & Jamman and the Line 6 equals the Loop Station is sound quality but you only get 14 seconds of loop time (60 with the Echo Pro) and the Jamman easily sounds better than the Boss but only offers 32 seconds of loop time (not to mention that you'd be hard pressed to find one for under 300-400 dollars). Sure the Loop Station can be a little tempramental with regard to volume. You need to send a strong signal into it or the loop volume can sometimes sound as if a noise gate is turned way up. My opinion of the quantize function is: why is it there? I can't figure out its purpose. I never have trouble tapping in the right tempo so it's pretty much worthless to me. Also, the rhythm guide is worthless. The good thing is: you don't have to use them. By the way, I own two loop stations with no problems whatsoever.

I own two Loop Stations and have never had problem one with either of them. Add to that the dozen Boss pedals I own along with a VF-1 and BR-8, all without a problem. Shane, sorry about your luck, but it seems that it's not just your Boss gear you're having trouble with. Why don't you treat your gear with a little more respect and you might be surprised at the results.

I like the Loop Station. It's not perfect but nothing is. For the money it's as good as the other loopers within the $150 to $400 price range and easily outdoes the loop time. Be prepared to spend some time with it before you pass judgement on it.

As simple as gets. Pulled it out of the box, glanced at the manual and was off looping in minutes.

You have to adjust the input signal and effect level a bit to get the right volume level compared to the original signal. But then again you have to do those fine adjustments with every pedal.

Looks really solid never had a problem with BOSS pedals. Sorry to hear about some of the other comments made about the reliability of the pedal. But then again I take really good care of all my equipment.

never had to call

I DJ and play guitar and the pedal is the answers to my prayers. Compared to your other options which in my opinion there is only 1 other option. The Bommerang thats the size of a diningroom table, costs twice as much and is made of plastic. The RC-20 is easy to use, dependable, the overduband quantize functions are great! I would like to have an option to erase overdubed passages. Other than that I am more than pleased with the product. Thank you BOSS!!!!

Update.

Update.

So, I got the store where I bought this POS from to call them.....

They are waiting for a part.....

Since October.

5 months for one part.

If this was a automobile manufacture, someone would have had there HEADS by now.

Line 6 and Roland suck.

End of story.

I am buying a Digitech GNX 3 with the hard disk recorder/looper.....

Lets see how long that lasts.......and the support they give me.