BOSS RC-505 Loop Station

BOSS has just introduced the RC-505 Loop Station, a new breed of looper that’s perfect for beatboxers, singers, club performers, and DJs. With its compact, tabletop design and powerful yet simple interface, the RC-505 gives you fingertip control of five simultaneous stereo loop tracks, a variety of recording and playback options, amazing real-time effects, and much more.

The RC-505: A New Concept in Loop Stations

Fueled by BOSS’ industry leading Loop Station products and annual Loop Station World Championship competitions, the live looping movement has exploded over the last few years. From the start, Loop Stations have been incredibly popular with guitarists, singer/songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists. But recently, increasing numbers of solo vocalists have been discovering the amazing potential of live looping as well. With just a microphone and a Loop Station, beatboxers and singers can perform in a highly creative and dynamic new way, using the incredible expressive range of the human voice to deliver jaw-dropping soundscapes, intense rhythmic onslaughts, and beyond.

Until now, Loop Stations have been designed mainly for floor use, so that instrumentalists and vocalists can operate them with their feet while performing. However, most vocal loopers prefer to use them at table height so they can manipulate the controls with their hands. The RC-505 is ideal for these modern performers, offering a powerful, dedicated device built for easy fingertip operation and maximum expression.

With its five simultaneous stereo loop tracks and up to three hours of recording time, the RC-505 is also well suited for DJs and club performers. Via USB, you can load up the RC-505’s tracks with WAV audio files consisting of everything from sound effects to entire songs, then trigger, mix, and manipulate them sampler-style with the front-panel controls and effects.

BOSS RC-505 Loop Station—front view

Effects, External Control, and More

Powerful INPUT FX and TRACK FX make it easy to enhance or mangle live sounds and loops as you perform, with quick-access buttons for effects selection and dedicated knobs for real-time tweaking. Multiple inputs (all available simultaneously) include an XLR mic jack with phantom power, mono/stereo instrument jacks, and a mini-jack for hooking up a smart phone or music player. 99 phrase memories allow you to save your loop creations instantly, including all five tracks plus effects and playback settings.

BOSS RC-505 Loop Station—rear panel

The RC-505 can be operated externally via optional foot switches, an expression pedal, or MIDI devices, providing extended control for vocal performers and instrumentalists. The RC-505 also functions as a USB audio/MIDI interface, so you can integrate with your favorite DAW for audio recording, MIDI sync, and more.

Learn more about the amazing RC-505 Loop Station at RolandConnect.com.

Related links and articles:

• Roland Connect Main Page
• BOSS Loop Station World Championship 3: International Finals
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

Here’s what we shipped to Austin for you to play!

Going to SXSW? Our new pedals are, too! Join BOSS at SXSW this year during the the first edition of The Austin StompBox Exhibit hosted by The Deli and Delicious Audio. This free, interactive, in-the-headphones display of guitar effects pedals will take place Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16, at the Austin Clayworks Gallery on 1209 E 6th St. BOSS is showcasing the brand new line of Multi-Dimensional Processing pedals alongside some of the tried and true BOSS classics. Curious to see what a stompbox exhibit looks like? Here’s a picture of the 2012 StompBox Exhibit in Brooklyn, NY. Don’t forget to bring your guitar so you can test them out in person! Here’s a preview of the BOSS pedals on exhibit.

Download BOSS Compact Pedals PDF

TE-2 Tera Echo

Our 100th BOSS compact series model! Powered by our latest MDP technology, the TE-2 produces a dynamic new ambience effect that goes beyond traditional delay and reverb. Although any guitar sounds fine in John 5‘s hands, we dare to declare that any guitar is fun to play paired with this pedal.

Features:

• Proprietary Multi-Dimensional Processing technology separates incoming audio into several dimensions to provide optimum effect for any type of sound or playing.
• Unique ultra-dynamic stereo echo and ambient effects controllable by playing dynamics

DA-2 Adaptive Distortion

In a nut shell, this pedal employs musical distortion that plays well all over the neck, from tight, edgy low-string tones to fat, smooth highs for lead playing. In other words, this pedal creates the ideal tone for every register. Don’t want to take our word for it, read Sonic State’s Richard Beech’s DA-2 review.

Features:

• Uses BOSS’ Multi-Dimensional Processing technology (MDP) to deliver ideal distortion tones wherever you play on the guitar neck.
• Superb unique “clear” distortion; ultra-responsive to volume changes and playing dynamics.
• DA-2 “knows” where and what you are playing to produce optimum tone whether it’s screaming leads or heavy chords

MO-2 Multi Overtone

With shimmery multi-string resonance to flute-like transparency to powerful textures reminiscent of organs, the MO-2 is what Richard Beech also calls “an evil synth.” Read the review by Richard Beech.

Features:

• Uses BOSS MDP technology to produce unique polyphonic harmonic overtones for new unique sounds.
• Great for leads and chordal playing
• Combine with DA-2 and TE-2 for fantastic, huge tonal textures

RC-3 Loop Station

This pedal delivers a powerful looping ability in a small footprint. The RC series is preferred by many musicians the world over for practicing; many use it as a professional tool for playing live in a solo set-up. If you really want to get creative, see what this year’s Loop Station World Championship 3 (LSWC3) contestants pulled off during their showdown. Yes, there is a contest for such performances and it was amazing!

Enter for a chance to win an RC-3 Loop Station pedal autographed by John 5, Steve Stevens, Billy Duffy, Herman Li, and Darryl Jones. Contest ends April 5, 2013.

Features:

• Top of the line stereo compact pedal looper.
• Massive internal memory: 99 onboard loops, 3 hours of stereo looping.
• Built-in drums for perfect looping timing plus USB for easy connection to computers

DD-7 Digital Delay

The DD-7 takes the best features from its predecessors and expands the creative envelope with Modulation Delay mode, classic modeled Analog Delay mode, external pedal control option, longer delay time, and more. With this pedal you can take your delay up to 6.4 seconds and record up to 40 seconds in Hold mode for overdubs or solo rhythms.

Features:

• BOSS stereo digital delay with several modes, including Reverse, Modulation Delay and Analog Delay: models the famous BOSS DM-2 analog delay, beloved for its characteristic warm delay sound.
• 6400 ms delay time and built in 40 second looper (Hold mode).
• Built in tap tempo and external EXP pedal control for real time control of delay parameters.

MT-2 Metal Zone

Features:

• One of the most popular BOSS pedals; super long sustain and heavy mids and lows.
• Very wide range of distortion tones from mild to extreme.
• 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mid controls provide ultra-wide tone range.

CH-1 Super Chorus

Features:

• Provides the famous BOSS original stereo chorus sound.
• Four controls make it super easy to dial in perfect chorus sounds.
• Sounds great in mono and stereo.

DS-1 Distortion

 Features:

• The best selling BOSS distortion: used by top pros everywhere.
• Responds to playing dynamics for authentic feel and sound.

BD-2 Blues Driver

Features:

• Classic tube tones with strong gain and output.
• Very responsive to dynamics and picking technique.
• Sounds and feels just like a vintage tube amp

TU-3 Chromatic Tuner

Features:

• World’s most popular pedal tuner; seen on pedalboards everywhere.
• Super accurate and easy to read in any environment.
• BOSS durability and quality: 5 year warranty!

Related links and articles:

• How to Chain Your Guitar Effects Pedals
• Billy Duffy: The Cult of Tone
• Play an Entire Live Set with Just the GT-100
• Download BOSS Compact Pedals PDF

Enter for a chance to win an RC-3 Loop Station pedal autographed by John-5, Steve Stevens, Billy Duffy, Herman Li, and Darryl Jones. Contest ends April 5, 2013.

On Friday evening, January 25, 2013, loop artists from 12 different countries gathered at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney to compete in the international finals for the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 3. Held as part of Roland Connect during the 2013 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, the finals event was an exciting conclusion to the BOSS global competition that began in the summer of 2012. Over 500 looping fans were in attendance, with another 8,000-plus viewing live on the web as the event was streamed online.

RC-3 giveaway ends April 5, 2013

The large audience enjoyed an entertaining evening of inspired and innovative performances, with all the loop artists delivering high-level musical presentations. Ultimately, Grison Beatbox of Spain claimed the looping title with a mesmerizing beatboxing performance that featured impressive technical skill with his RC-300 Loop Station and VE-20 Vocal Performer effects. For his efforts, he earned $3,000 in BOSS gear.

Now in its third year, the BOSS Loop Station World Championship spotlights artists around the globe that make fresh and inventive music with BOSS’ industry leading Loop Station products. This year’s international finals showed how the relatively new and wildly expressive art form of live looping continues to evolve at a lighting pace, with the artists performing an eclectic array of music styles with vocals, effects, a huge range of instruments, and full-throttle musical creativity.

All 12 loop artists were winners of BOSS Loop Station competitions held in their home countries throughout the latter part of 2012. Regions represented were the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Iberia, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe.

Continue reading this article

Related links and articles:

• The Art of Looping
• Meet the Loop Station World Championship 3 Judges
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

Darryl has played bass guitar for the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Cher and Peter Gabriel. He also plays with an amazing trio, the Stone Raiders. Darryl uses BOSS effects and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

John 5

John plays guitar for Rob Zombie. He has also played with Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, David Lee Roth and many others. John’s innovative and versatile guitar style has been featured on many projects. John plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer. John is featured on the new BOSS compact pedal Connect videos.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

Steve Stevens

Steve is the guitarist for Billy Idol. He has performed with Michael Jackson, Vince Neil, Ric Ocasek, Robert Palmer, Tony Levin, Terry Bozzio, the Atomic Playboys and Flamenco a GoGo. He played guitar on the mega-selling soundtrack “Top Gun” which earned him a Grammy Award for Pop Instrumental Performance. Steve plays BOSS compact pedals, the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer and Roland G-5 V-G Stratocaster.

Billy Duffy

Billy has played guitar with Johnny Marr, Morrissey and many others. He is best known for his work as guitarist for the Cult. His iconic guitar riffs are known to millions of music fans. Billy plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland JC-120 amplifier.

Herman Li

Herman plays guitar for DragonForce. His blindingly fast and precise guitar playing has won the respect of many fans around the world. Herman is originally from Hong Kong and studied in the UK where he now lives. Herman uses BOSS compact pedals, BOSS eBand and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

Gary Lenaire

Gary Lenaire is the Product and Marketing Manager for BOSS and Roland Guitar Products. As a guitarist and composer and is mostly known for his work with the bands Tourniquet and Echo Hollow. He has released 12 records and has published over 90 songs worldwide, including those found in the Roland VS-2480, BOSS® MICRO BR and BOSS BR-800.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

Related Links and articles:

• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 2
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1
• 18 Exciting New Products For Winter NAMM

There are 12 contestants from all corners of the world that will be participating in this year’s Loop Station World Championship. Here are the six remaining contestants and the performances that got them to the finals.  Using a Loop Station, each finalist will compete with an original one-man song and will be critiqued by our celebrity judges as well as viewers around the world.

Watch the Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

The Prize:

• 1st Place – $3000 in BOSS Gear
• 2nd Place – $2000 in BOSS Gear
• 3rd Place – $1000 in BOSS Gear
• Social Loop Award (Viewer Vote) – Mystery Prize

Event details:

• When: January 25, 2013 during NAMM
  • Streaming begins at 6:45 p.m. PST
  • Follow @Roland_US for free ticket giveaways
• Where: House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
• Watch and Vote Live: BOSS Website

Vinh – Germany

Grison Beatbox – Spain

Jon Rosner – Canada

Super Tall Paul Newman – USA

Fair Phillis – Belgium

Jonathan Mendez – Costa Rica

Essential looper gear:

Related links and articles:

• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

There are 12 contestants from all corners of the world that will be participating in this year’s Loop Station World Championship. Here are six of the contestants and the videos that got them to the finals. Each finalist will compete by creating a one-man song using a Loop Station and judged by our celebrity judges and the viewers around the world.

The Prize:

• 1st Place – $3000 in BOSS Gear
• 2nd Place – $2000 in BOSS Gear
• 3rd Place – $1000 in BOSS Gear
• Social Loop Award (Viewer Vote) – Mystery Prize

Event details:

• When: January 25, 2013 during NAMM
  • Streaming begins at 6:45 p.m. PST
  • Follow @Roland_US for free ticket giveaways
• Where: House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
• Watch and Vote Live: BOSS Website

Christian Zezza – Italy

Kalle Mathiesen – Denmark

Dawson – UK

Koukun – Japan

Agata Kurzyk – Poland

Thiago Ramalho – Brazil

Essential looper gear:

Related links and articles:

• Loop Station World Finalists Part 2
  

Tommy Walker stops by Roland studios to shoot an RC-300 Loop Station artist impressions video. We caught Tommy on break to discuss his history with BOSS and Roland products and also to catch up.

Tommy is a guitar player, composer, singer and overall a well rounded musician. Since the 90s, he has also been a worship leader at Christian Assembly, a church affiliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Tommy has taken his Christian Assembly Worship Band on domestic and overseas tours. Tommy recalls his most memorable performance with his band being at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with Promise Keepers. Tommy’s newest project, Generation Hymns Live is a cross-over album of hymns for all ages.

For over ten years, Tommy’s pedal of choice was the GT-5. This multi guitar effects processor featured COSM technology which allows guitarists to play entirely new, synth-like sounds with guitar-based dynamics. It also featured the world’s first Acoustic Guitar Simulator which was later separately released as it’s own unit, the AC-2 Acoustic Simulator according to The BOSS Book: The Ultimate Popular Compact Effects.

Do you have any videos with the products mentioned in this blog post? Share with us, we want to know how you use your BOSS or Roland product.

Related links and articles:

• The VG-99 Inspires
• Steve Stevens Demos the G-5 Strat
• LoopStation World Championship U.S. Finals

Check out the video from the Loop Station event last weekend (it starts about 35 seconds in).

Have a great weekend everyone!

Lisa Harriton became the touring keyboardist and back-up vocalist for the Grammy-award winning alternative rock band, The Smashing Pumpkins, in 2007. Harriton appears in the videos for “Tarantula” and “That’s the Way (My Love Is)”.  Since her work with the Pumpkins, she has toured/performed with Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) Adam Lambert, Ke$ha and Natalia Kills, opening for the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, and Bruno Mars. Also a singer/songwriter, Harriton serves up a soulful blend of Alternative Electronic music in her band, “Elle Rae”. Using the Boss RC-300, “Elle Rae” incorporates live looping with her vocals and Roland keyboards. Harriton will release her debut “Elle Rae” EP in Winter of 2013 on Broadstroke Records. She is currently the Chair of the Keyboard Technology department at Musicians Institute, Hollywood.

Billy Morrison

Billy Morrison, a seasoned guitarist for Billy Idol, joined rock band The Cult on their 2001 reunion. He continues to release solo material while writing and recording with his own bands Stimulator (signed to Geffen Records in 1995), Doheny, and Circus Diablo (signed to Koch Records in 2007). Morrison is also one of the founding members of the Los Angeles-based band Camp Freddy, along with Dave Navarro, Matt Sorum, Chris Chaney, and Donovan Leitch. Camp Freddy has shared stages with some of the world’s greatest musicians ranging from Ozzy Osbourne, Steven Tyler, and Slash to Chester Bennington, Jerry Cantrell, and many more. Morrison’s many television appearances include performances on Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, and Sharon Osbourne. He is currently co-writing a new Billy Idol record with Idol and Steve Stevens while planning more Camp Freddy performances in the near future.

Michael Laskow

Michael Laskow has been helping songwriters and artists succeed in the music business since 1974. He began his career as a producer/engineer at Criteria Studios in music’s golden era, and later by founding TAXI, the world’s first independent A&R company in 1992. For more than two decades, Laskow and his team of music industry veterans have helped identify and develop independent songwriters, artists, and composers, resulting in thousands of musicians all over the world landing indie and major label deals, publishing deals and countless placements in TV and film, commercials, trailers and video games.

Gary Lenaire

Gary Lenaire is the Product and Marketing Manager for BOSS and Roland Guitar Products. As a guitarist and composer and is mostly known for his work with the bands Tourniquet and Echo Hollow. He has released 12 records and was nominated for six GMA (Dove) Awards. He received HM Magazine’s “Guitarist of the Year” award from 1994-1996. He has published over 90 songs worldwide, including those found in the Roland VS-2480, BOSS® MICRO BR and BOSS BR-800. Gary has been featured in Billboard, Guitar Player, Guitar World and other magazines and continues to make appearances at popular music events.

Related links and articles:

• Meet the LoopStation World Championship 3 Finalists
• LoopStation Contest Countdown
• GuitarTV

Berlin Belgin Ugursu – Baltimore, MD

Belgin Uğursu, aka DJ Berlin, is best known in her country as the “Queen of Pedals.” A loop artist, songwriter, guitarist and DJ from Istanbul, Turkey, DJ Berlin became interested in music at an early age. She grew up playing the baglama, a popular Turkish instrument, and eventually picked up the guitar. She moved to the United States to work on her music with Tony Jones, an American bass player and songwriter, eventually relocating to Baltimore to attend a DJ school. Berlin aspires to make music in the style of Deadmau5 and would eventually like to write music for film.

Vox Machina – Longmont, CO

Matt Murphy and Mister Tim combine their beatboxing skills, vocal prowess, and technical savviness to create their signature in-your-face sound. Fused with an eclectic array of sounds ranging from electro pop to funk, folk and rock, the two minds of Vox Machina have been in countless bands, productions, experimental groups and cutting-edge a capella acts around the country.

Paul Newman – Hollywood, CA

Super Tall Paul Newman could be best described as a multi-instrumentalist, utilizing the BOSS loop stations to act as the modern day “one man band.” He has played host to renegade shows and street performances for nearly a decade. Well versed in the art of improvisation, Super Tall Paul has created his shows based off of the rapport with his unsuspecting audiences. A truly unique vocalist and beatboxer, he is also skilled in playing the ukulele, flute, sax and nose whistle.

Robert Williamson – Dublin, GA

When his wife was diagnosed with MS, Robert Williamson made the decision not to pursue a career in music, instead working at a paper manufacturing plant to care for his wife and three boys. He has spent time singing in his local church, and placed second in the talent category and third overall in the 1996 Country Showdown national finals, the world’s largest country music contest. Williamson bought a BOSS RC-300 when a friend showed him a Jarle Bernhoft video on YouTube. On a whim, Williamson submitted a video to the Loop Station World Championship and it brought him all the way to the U.S. National Finals.

Danny Watson – Cincinnati, OH

Danny Watson has always loved the creative process of making music, especially live looping. He has been singing and beatboxing for the past six years and began rapping and looping two years ago. He is currently studying mechanical engineering at the University of Cincinnati while recording his first studio album. He plans to work on his music and grow in the industry for many years to come.

Steven Cantor – Alpharetta, GA

Steven Cantor, aka Heaven Beatbox, has recently emerged from the hip hop scene as one of the next up-and-coming beatboxers. A true hip hop head, he is also skilled in b-boying and graffiti art. Heaven has had numerous TV and radio appearances including BeatBox Event Europe (Paris), 95.5 and Q100’s “Atlanta Talented Show”, “All About the Business” on the CW, and Scribble Jam National Beatbox Championships. In 2008, he opened for Big Boi of Outkast. He began touring in 2010, performing in clubs and different venues on the east coast. He was most recently in Berlin, representing the United States in the World Beatbox Championships. He is currently the 2012 American Vice-Beatbox Champion.

Related links and articles:

• LoopStation World Championship Judges
• LoopStation Contest Countdown
• GuitarTV

Congratulations to our six U.S. finalists