Boss RC 500 Loop Station Absolute Beginner's Guide
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- Especially for those who are new to looper pedals. Get to know your way around the controls of this guitar pedal with built in drum machine so you're ready to record your first loop.
Free PDF Quickstart guide and article containing lots of info at beginnercbg.com/boss-rc-500-l...
A larger free PDF is available here: beginnercbg.com/beginner-tips...
0:00 batteries vs adaptor
0:35 the very important button
0:59 3 foot switches
1:28 inputs and outputs
1:39 plug in amp to turn the pedal on
1:43 turning on the drum machine
1:55 saving to memory
2:08 changing the tempo
2:25 the memory/value dial/button
3:36 choosing your drum pattern, kit and instrumentation
6:19 colors on the LCD screen: why they change
6:42 where to find my free PDF Quickstart guide
Next video in this series is here: • BOSS RC-500: A Questio...
If you haven't purchased your pedal yet, here is an affiliate link to the RC-500 which I bought on amazon.co.uk: amzn.to/3im2vLj and here's a link for those of you who want to look at it on amazon.com: amzn.to/3zdBvUY
Affiliate link for the mains adaptor on amazon.co.uk here: amzn.to/3yhCT9i.
If you buy from these affiliate links I will receive a small commission.
![ОРБАН приехал к ПУТИНУ и "отчитался" о поездке в Киев 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0ukDovOWq8/mqdefault.jpg)
at long last, an editorial i can understand. No, long boring flashy ,show off guitar solos, Just plain speak. thanks very much. Arthur, keyboard player
Thanks very much. I'm glad you found it helpful
This has to be the 20th tutorial ive tried for this little toy. It's also the only truly coherent one that doesn't demand a degree in trigonometry to understand!! Thanks so much for taking the time to do these vids. Beyond helpful 😊
I felt so inadequate. The Boss guide was incomplete gibberish, not even complete gibberish. 🤣 YT “experts” show off to those who already know. I came on YT one last time, searching for a tutorial I can understand because I had made up my mind to sell it for a simpler loop pedal. I found you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
More practical than any other instructional
Hi Kim, thanks for an excellent tutorial, very clear, concise and easy to follow. Boss should pay you for creating this and writing the pdf beginners guide. Really appreciate the work you put into this 🙂
This is a very useful introduction. Thank you. There are lots of speedy techno geeks out there bamboozling us with information that might be useful later, but yours is the best get started tutorial I have found.
Thanks very much.. I'm glad it was helpful.
So true, Brian, they seem more interested in showing
us how slick they are instead of teaching us how to
use it.
Thank you! I have just started using the RC-500 and I had no idea to save the loops I was creating. Such a quick and simple explanation too.
Phew!......at long last I've found a simple easy pace introduction explanation. Now having lots of fun with my RC500 - THANK YOU. The additional written info was extremely useful too.
Hi Kim! Thanks for the time and care you spend giving us old simpleton's simple concise directions. love ya lots
You're a genius. This finally explained what three other videos and the manual didn't seem to understand I needed explained to me.
Great, your Video cuts it short, without unnecessary stuff I often find on youtube! Great Job!! Thanks
Thank you. I was floundering connecting my RC500 to my Katana amp. You have helped with this overview.
It’s great you took the time to make things clearer from a beginners level as many on here move speak very fast and assume you know loopers . Thankyou Scott🇦🇺 They are a great guitar practise and performance tool.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for the PDF. I'm very grateful! 🙏
This was super useful for an absolute newbie like me. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this straight-forward tutorial.
I was (and still am) intimidated by this unit. Some YT vids are so intensive/extensive and I got lost. All I needed was some scaled-down instruction to get over that hump. Now I actually want to use this thing (after almost a year of owning it!).
I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm still very much a beginner myself but it's great fun to just improvise.
Hi, I learned so much more from this tutorial than any other. Thank you for this! Great channel, btw.
Hey Kim,
Thanks for pdf 🙏
Really helpful 😊
Really useful demo...thx a lot !
Thanks for ur help! Great tutorial-bit. There is SO much to this unit
This was super-useful.Thank you :)
Excellent way of explaining things....Great stuff..
This was very helpful for a beginner like me. Much appreciated.
This was REALLY helpful! I've had my looper for month's and couldn't find any help with it. You're video really helped me! Thank you!
Glad it helped! My blog has a PDF download if you need it beginnercbg.com/boss-rc-500-loop-station-beginners/
Thanks for this Kim I bought an rc500 over 2 years ago I still haven't taken it out of the box I plan to this weekend kind of intimidating even though I've been playing around electronics and lead guitar for 35 years this is new
awesome demo. very very clear and helpful. the best yet !!..wish they were ALL like yours !!
Wow, thank you!
Really useful info . Only unboxed my rc500 yesterday so this has helped a lot. Thanks !
Great to hear!
Thank you!!! Finally, someone explains the what's this the how to the my loop station! Mahalo(Thank you) from Hawaii!
So useful! Thanks :)
very helpful. this pedal has lots of features!
Such a detailed approach! really cool video.. Bravo!
Thanks very much. I'm doing a series of these videos showing what I discover. Hopefully as I improve, I can help others to improve too.
I am an absolute beginner, more like a music hobbyist. I bought this for my Cajon. Watching now! Thank you!
It's great fun once you start to get your head around using it. Lovely to practise improvisation!
Great Info Thank You!
Really good tutorial! So Easy to follow!❤️🌟🎶👍
Thanks very much.
Very helpful!!!! I’m still figuring out mine as well. Great pedal , but more information for beginners is needed.
I'm glad you've found it helpful. There's a lot to learn and I'm still very much a beginner myself.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This gave me the kick start I needed.
Glad it helped!
Hello Kim! Ginger Morgan here from Western North Carolina in the US! I just purchased my RC 500 and really love your tutorials! So nice to see another lady talking about guitar gear! You are very clear and succinct. I’ve been playing for 58 years (since 4th grade) and love Songwriting. The RC 500 seems like it’ll be a great facilitator for that! Kudos to you for posting your awesome info!
You are so welcome! There's so much to learn but I hope to be adding to these looper videos soon.
Thanks for responding so quickly Kim! I look forward to more RC 500 help from you! You give very clear and concise information. 🙌🏻
I have now made a free PDF that you can download from beginnercbg.com/beginner-tips-for-using-the-boss-rc-500-as-a-backing-track/
Thank you! God bless you!
thank you so much for making this video.
I'm glad you found it helpful
Super helpful. I had a bit of a problem with the batteries aswell...
very good tutor . thank you very much.
Thank you for your very clear and concise tutorial the best I've seen
Thanks very much
@@beginnercbg I don't what it is about your tutorials the calm voice perhaps your demeanor but I really learn from you thank you so much my rc 500 is in route
I hope you have lots of fun using it. It's a bit complicated to start with, but I love just messing about and getting different sounds
Thank u so much cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪
Happy to help
I have the rc500 too and your tutorial was very helpful. I am still trying to get to grips with it.
There's so much to learn isn't there, but it's so great when something suddenly works and you get a great new sound
Thank you!!!!!
Good video
Very helpful thanks
Glad it helped
Thank you :)
Many thanks
Best video I found
Thanks very much
At last someone who doesn't assume you know the basics and helps you save so much time digging into the manual and searching forums for things that would be a lot easier to find yes I will subscribe hope your a logic user or is the asking to much 😀Thank you for this your a gem
Thanks very much Andrew .Sorry I don't use logic
Thank you so much
Great vid cheers
Thanks very much.
great share
Thank you!
You're welcome
Thank you
You're welcome
Thanks so much for the clear explanation. I'm new to looping and deciding which looper to buy. Question: Does this connect to my mixer USB into my computer for livestream music.
You can run your guitar into your amp and amp into looper headphone out or recording interface etc. That way you get different sounds and fx going into looper.
Great vid!! I just need to know if I can import two wav files in the same memory number, and treat it as loop 1 and loop 2 in the same song.
Thank you for the informative video! Have you had experience with the tracks not syncing with each other even with the correct setting? Trying to record rhythm and lead for both tracks but when I try to track the second track, it doesn’t sync up correctly. Any advice or setting that you noticed works best?
My friend just loaned me one of these. I messed around with it a little. Like anything it has a learning curve. Your demo was very useful. Thanx for posting. Most times I dont hit the button to stop recording and start playback at exactly the right time. Im wondering if you have a drum beat going and then record a guitar track and dont hit the button to start playback at the exact right time, will the lopper automatically start the playback at the right time (start of the measure) ??? thats what I need
Hello and congratulations for your channel, I always follow you.. I wanted to ask you for some info: I have the RC500 and I would like to know if it is possible to start the song by creating a drum kit with the guitar "but not letting the public hear it and therefore not letting it go out from the speakers" but simply record it in the RC and then use it for example in the middle of the song, maybe there is a function? Thank you!
Thank yo, very clear vid! I just need to know if I can import two wav files in the same memory number, and treat it as loop 1 and loop 2 in the same song. Do you have this info?
Hello Kim. First it's right to say what everyone else has, thank you, you have a gift for explanation. Second, I'm over 80 and have difficulty reaching down to the floor pedal so the purchase of the FS6 was key. However, it would help me considerably if you could give me some guidance in setting up the FS6 so that it provides the basic functions, Record, Play, Stop and Start.
Great tips and clear explanation- thank you! Yes, for the price (not cheap) this looper definitely should come with an adapter! Even my lithium rechargeable batteries do not last over an hour. It is definitely a great looper- outstanding 32 bit sound quality and it is also fairly intuitive to use- but it takes some practice.
Also, if you HOLD down the MEM/VALUE knob (technically, it does not click) and turn it at the same time, you will reduce or increase values like volume much quicker- in increments of about 10. One is too slow- the other is too fast so it's tricky. IMO they should just make it medium speed and be done with it.
It's nice to record loops on separate tracks so you can more easily control the volume accordingly. I also like using multiple outputs. I have one going to an acoustic amp and the other to a studio monitor. You can also use this with your computer via an audio interface and plug-ins. It will however apply any effects you add to the original track so that didn't work too well. Clean however work just fine.
QUESTION
Regarding the drums- what does it mean to BEGIN or END. I haven't really figured that out yet. Usually I do a count in 1,2,3,4 which seems to work ok. Does it mean it will forego the count and just play the drums and start looping when I start playing? How does it know how to end?
Thanks for the tip on holding and turning at the same time. I've just started trying 2 amps as output A and B and sitting between- a tip from a viewer- which sounds great as it's a good full sound in stereo. As to your question, did you mean start and stop? You can choose whether the rhythm starts before you record, as you record or after you record. Also whether it stops when you stop recording, when the loop stops or whether the rhythm just keeps playing independently of the loop. I tend to use START- before loop and STOP- off so that the rhythm is completely independent.
@@beginnercbg Sure thing and yes, Start/Stop. I'll have to experiment with that. So I guess you prefer the START function vs. the Count-In. Another reviewer likes it also- said it's easier to get in sync. So, to get the rhythm to STOP do you have to do anything or just select it in the menu? Thanks.
I've spent a bit of time experimenting with the different start and stop settings and it's all seems a bit complicated when you are tying the START and STOP into the loop. I may do a video on what I've found. The easiest way to stop the rhythm seems to literally just hit the middle footswitch and stop everything. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
@@beginnercbg Thanks and that is helpful. I agree- sometimes you just have to keep experimenting until it all clicks. Some devices are more intuitive than others. The RC-500 really isn't too difficult but still it does take some practice. Other units like TRIO+ Band Creator is much harder to master. Good news is you are playing the whole time so it all counts as practice!
I use batteries on mine as I have problems with a ground loop & 50Hz hum because of the set up in the room which is difficult to resolve. I use rechargeable batteries and keep 2 sets so it's easy to swap them over and recharge when I've finished. The 1900 mAH ones I use give decent battery life and are cheaper in th long run than regular AA alkali batteries. I get the eneloop ones. They cost a bit more but hold their charge when not in use.
Nicely Explained, just got one.What else can you do with the MIDI port?
I haven't explored that yet. I would think a midi keyboard would be connected through this?
thanks. is it possible to save a loop using one of the foot pedals (even extension pedals)? i cant find any reference to this anywhere.
Question I'm getting low volume output on my looper when I plug my guitar in is there anyway to adjust the volume output for the Guitar Volume set 10
Can the kits be changed between variation A and B or just the parts and volume
Thank you
Hello, Than you for this Boss RC500 video for beginners. During the video you reference PDF instructions available for download. When I go to you website I don't see how to download those PDF instuctions. Will you please advise me. Thank You Again! Sam
Hi Sam. I'm glad you've found the video useful. The PDF is at the bottom of this page beginnercbg.com/boss-rc-500-loop-station-beginners/
I did go to your website but could not find the pdf file you reference in the video. There was a one page quick chart but the other info your provided in the two articles regarding the boss rc-500 was very useful. That would be a fantastic pdf as well. Please let me know. Thank you.
I am working on a pdf and will let you know when it's ready.
I have now made a free PDF that you can download from beginnercbg.com/beginner-tips-for-using-the-boss-rc-500-as-a-backing-track/
Hi 👋 , thnx for yer videos . I had RC30 boss. Since it’s not working anymore .. it had a function ( donno what’s called ?) I could strum my guitar in rhythm and RC30 wud pick up the tempo of my strumming . And hi hat wud start . Rather than choose a rhythm first and then strum the guitar .. does RC 500 has that function ? Could it pick up the strumming . ? Tempo . Appreciate so much if you guide. Thanks
the link for the adaptor does not work for me what is it called or do you have another link
Kim or anyone who reads this. I have tried to download your pdf of the Boss RC 500 Loop Station Absolute Beginner's Guide. It doesn't seem to be available. Can you or someone send me a copy? Thanks,
Thanks for this…. Made simple👍… what adapter do you use? A regular 9v adapter?
I am just using a regular 9V adapter. I checked and double checked that the polarity was right. I bought it on amazon.co.uk as a recommended adapter for the RC-500 but it isn't the Boss one. If you are buying in the UK I can give you the link, but I couldn't find the same adapter on amazon.com Hope this helps
I bought a ome shot at guitar center that works fine.
Have you foud out how to route drums only in one output?. Ta
This is a great tutorial! A few weeks ago I bought my RC 500, but I'm still struggling with it. I can't hear what I'm recording. I'm using my RC 500 with an Focusrite interface from my microphone, which is connected to my computer. But also when I disconnect the loopstation from the computer and plug in a headphone to the mono-output from the loopstation I still can't hear anything. Do you have any idea or tips?
That sounds very frustrating Liza. I'd like to see if I can help you get to the bottom of this. At first, I though that maybe the loop station needed to be amplified to hear the sound ( much like an electric guitar), but I can plug my headphones into the mono output and hear my recorded loop. So my first questions to you are: Have you recorded anything that you can hear- either on the computer or through the headphones? Also have you any memory banks that have gone white to show that you have recorded and saved a loop?
Hi! I would like to know more about that unit. Can the RC10r separate the drum/rhythm sound to output B while having your recorded loop on output A?
I don't know anything about the RC10r, sorry. Maybe someone else can help you.
Hi it's me again Len. I've been coming along nicely with my RC 500 thanks to your help. I have a question.
I want to take a file from UA-cam on my PC and record it into a memory slot on my rc500 to use and then I will of course add to it.
Can you explain how I can do that. I have the mini USB cable.
Len
Hi Len. I was wondering if you got your problem with the pedal sorted. I will do a bit of investigating on this question. Off the top of my head I think this is possible if the file is a wav file. I'll let you know what I find out.
I just got this yesterday and am totally clueless so this helped, thanks. I want to use my Boss ME-50 multi fx pedal with this but can’t seem to get it to work. Do you know if this is compatible or if only select fx pedals work with it?
I'm really sorry but I don't know and I don't have one to test
It doesn't look like it according to the documentation I'm sorry to say, but someone might have a work around
You mean guitar into ME-50, and ME-50 into the RC-500, and the RC-500 into the amp / monitor?
It absolutely SHOULD be possible. The signal out from the ME-50 is just an audio signal, so it should definietly be doable, but...
I tried yesterday (with the ZOOM MS-50G...and the DROP...and the Whammy), and I couldn't get any sound, but that's a lot of pedals and cables (some say TOO many...), so the problem could be 'anywhere' in my tech spaghetti mess...
_thx for this great overview. can you tell me please, if the RHYTHM can be adjusted to 120,5 or 68,7 bpm? I mean 1/10 - steps. is it a possible function on the RC-500? thank you!_
At first I thought not, but if you select say 120.0 and then press the black dial, you can select 120.1 or 120.7 or any other 1/10 fraction. I hadn't noticed that before.Thanks for making me check!
@@beginnercbg _heartfelt thnx, 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼thank you REALLY, because that's what I need to find👉🏼 the right tempo (bpm) if I want check out the stuff I listen to. But: I had a device from BOSS (micro BR 80) which I loved but this will do it not longer and I looped myself with an on-board BOSS RC-3(as you may- please please please- recognize on my channel) and I am looking for a piece to give me minimum that choice to loop it and to check out the rhythm in 1/10-steps. Huh.... A lot of explanations - sorry for that 😄_
I checked out your channel.. Beautiful playing!
👍
Thanks for sharing!!! I can't figure out how to make the recording to keep playing instead of ending up and starting all over again. Could you help me? I would appreciate a lot!🙏
I'm not really sure quite you mean. Sorry
I assume, since it's called a 'LOOP station', and not a 'recording station', that it should definitely be possible to make it play your recording in a repeating loop. I believe there is a 'play once' / 'play endless loop' function, but I am not very experienced with this device yet.
I have a question for you. I hope you're still monitoring your comments and see this, and I thank you in advance for your response. If one were to record track one with 2 measures of built in rhythm and guitar, for example, and then record track two with 6 measures of rhythm and guitar (set on single mode), is it possible to start one track or the other from the beginning of it's loop ?
Every time I try this, the track being switched to starts somewhere in the middle of its loop. I need it to start at the beginning of its loop, no matter where the previous one is when I leave it. If I try this with loop sync turned off, the guitar and rhythm fall out of sync in short order. I have the very same issue with the RC-600.. This is driving me nuts. Please help.
I will try to help you, but I am no expert.
Do I understand it right that you are recording different length loops on tracks A and B but saving them to the same memory slot? and you have it set to record the rhythm as well as your melody to that memory slot like this:
Press the [INPUT] button.
- The editing screen for input/output settings appears.
Turn the [MEMORY/VALUE] knob to select “RHYTHM,” and press the [MEMORY/VALUE] knob.
Turn the [MEMORY/VALUE] knob to select “LOOP,” and press the [MEMORY/VALUE] knob.
Press the [INPUT] or [EXIT] button to return to the play screen.
and then when you switch between A and B it doesn't start at the beginning of the loop?
I found this answer on reddit that might help: www.reddit.com/r/guitarpedals/comments/rzoqrk/boss_rc500_independent_loops_in_time_is_that/
I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
Theres any way around to send the click/metronome/rythm only to hear it in a headphones and none in the speakers? As it doens't have any dedicated phones out seems it wouldn't be possible right?? :(
Not tried it but I'll experiment
Thx!! This is great. Yes the manuals are pretty lame, no in-depth instructions at all🥵
Hi Nice job explaining the menu...seems to me the 500 is a super glorified drum machine, lol...is there a looper function? also an octave down/up. I feel to be useful when laying rhythm tracks/bassline
I'm really just getting to grips with all the looper settings- the best thing to me so far seems to be that you can use 2 tracks and they are independently controlled ( volume, loop length etc) I wish it had an octave up/down now you've mentioned it, but I can't find it anywhere.
The MAIN function of this device IS the looper, but the drum tracks are great when you work alone, or don't have a drum kit / drummer / drumming skills / external drum machine. I don't think it has any octave (or pitch shift at all) function, but I have a Whammy I can use for that.
Can this be connected where a software download would give a better look and control of options?
I have the latest software from the boss site so I don't think that will make a difference. You can set things up differently to customize the controls using the parameter guide though
You can connect it to a PC with a USB Micro B cable to get the latest updates from BOSS, but given the physical setup of this "pedal", I don't think any updates will fundamentally change the menus / controls or appearance of these..
Does the drum has intro/fills/end?
Not like a traditional drum machine.Take a look at tomorrow's video where I will show you what I've found out.
FYI, Rechargable Ni-Mh batteries last longer than most alkaline batteries. Use the battery feature for gigs.
Good tip - thanks
Depends on the capacity of the rechargable batteries. They're usually marked with a number of mAh (milli-Ampere/hour), and this number should be at least 2000, upwards of 3000, I think, for these AA batteries.
I just got my RC500 and not matter what I do I cannot seem to save a simple 1 track guitar loop I make to memory for use on stage at a later date. Everytime I think I did it properly it does not save it. What am I doing wrong? I think I need a video on RC-500 for dummies? Can you guide me.
Are you pressing exit and enter together to save the loop that you record? It should go white to show it is a new memory. You can rename it, but I just tend to use the default number.
@@beginnercbg Yes I do that and memory 01 turns to white. I then press the black bottom and figure I'm done and can I can consider it saved. To test it I change the memory button from one to 2 and back to one. When I do that 1 changes back to blue and what I thought I saved is gone. There is something basically I am doing wrong. A short video showing the steps for this simple procedure would be a great help. Sorry I'm such a knucklehead.
I'm sure you're not! It's very confusing. I'll make a quick video and let you know when it's live
@@beginnercbg great thanks for your time.
Everybody on youtube spends all there time showing all the features, how to change this and that but nobody takes the time to just produce one single loop, and show exactly how to save it for use at a later date. The hell with all the bells and whistles if you don't show how to make a basic loop, save it, and how to recall it when you need it what good is the rest? Once that basic function is shown clearly us dummies can move on to the bells and whistles.
This video somehow has very strong Kay's Spaghetti Bolognese vibes
Are you happy with?
Yes, I am really happy with it. I'm looking forward to getting better at using it and intend to do more videos using it, especially trying out using the 2 tracks
i wish someone would show how to fix a mistake .if i dont play something right. because of miss cord or timeing i got to unplug the looper and start over.Every video shows how great they can lay down tracks And nothing on how erace a mistake
i run all my pedals including the RC-10 using a power bank (2 actually 1 for looper and strymon volate and one for ocean machine reverb, plus assorted low current pedals.) plus a 2 quid 9volt from usb adapter. Cant recommend this hack highly enough.
That sounds like a great idea. I've heard of people using them for their practice amps too. I'm just a bit nervous myself about over powering something and wrecking it....
@@beginnercbg had no issues. I did volt and current checks first. Can pull a max of 9.18 volts and 90 mamps. made my own daisy chains from old boss ones.
You obviously really know what you're doing : )
@@beginnercbgI try. If anything goes pop! I'll write you again heheh
I regret to not have buy the rc505…
Did you buy the RC500 instead?
@@beginnercbg yes but it’s complicated
I agree. I wonder if the 505 would be even more complicated. I know it has 5 tracks and I find 2 tricky.....
I've nothing much to offer
There's nothing much to take
I'm an absolute beginner
And I'm absolutely sane
As long as we're together
The rest can go to hell
What the Boss manual doesn't tell you by someone who obviously didn't read the manual.
Pretty sure its all there.
That doesn't sound right. No power adaptor. ☹️ Dam 😂🤘🏼🎸 from new Zealand 🌏🎸