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has anyone tried this yet? i'm in the market for a looper to use on stage and would love some feedback on this particular unit.
thanks!
thanks!
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Vancouver
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Re: Boss RC-50
Tue, August 8, 2006 - 9:01 PMI don't know the definitive answer but there is quite a lot of
information about it and discussion, currently, at www.loopersdelight.com
They have an amazing searchable data base with thousands of postings
on every single piece of software or hardware that you could think of.
The current discussions are that the RC-50 has several really major flaws in the way
it works and Boss , apparently, has decided not to address them.
I'd definitely read all of those discussions thoroughly before buying one.
On the basis of those discussions, I persuaded a student of mine recently to not purchase one, for what it's worth. -
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Unsu...
Re: Boss RC-50
Wed, August 16, 2006 - 11:09 AMyeah, I'm considering purchasing some kind of loop station and after I read those reviews, I went "no way"... if I'm gonna spend $500 on something I don't wanna have to be devising compromise strategies to try and work around its performance flaws...
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Re: Boss RC-50
Tue, January 2, 2007 - 6:10 AMI have for the last week been working with the RC-50. I am not impressed. This unit needs some serious help in the MIDI Department. I spent over an hour on the phone with Boss trying to sync this with a Drum Machine (Boss DR-770), never did get it to work (Start and Stop only). Also if you record a loop at a certian speed, you can't change the tempo (not one beat) without it sounding all garlbled. This thing is going back today. It is not user friendly compared to my repeater. Maybe with some software updates I will look at this thing in the future, but as of now, no way. I hope this helps, if you have any further questions please ask. -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Tue, January 2, 2007 - 5:45 PMThe RC-50 is not designed to change tempo with any kind of pitch correction.
That being said and done, it is still an excellent choice for someone who wants to do simple
acoustic looping with the advantage of being able to sync three tracks together and later,
mute and unmute them in a composition.
They have, apparently, just come out with a revision of software that has fixed the silent first note
problem that was in the original which is a good think.
In terms of having a looper that will synchronize three tracks, there is nothing in the price range to compete.
The more sophisticated loopers that have midi syncing like the Repeater, The EDP or the Looperlative do
far more things but they are also 1 1/2 to 3 times as expensive.
I don't actually play one but I have a looping student that uses one and I"ve gotten to know it pretty well.
Personally, I think it's more creative for the same amount of money to buy two Line 6 DL-4 Delay/Modellers.
You can't sync them, but if you have a good sense of time you can use them together in a live show (I use three of them now).
They have the advantage over the RC-50 in that they have all the amazing historical Delay models (early digital, analogue, tape and filter delays) and they have backwards/forwards/half speed and double speed options (octave up, octave down, effectively) which are
really wonderful for trippy and psychedelic loops.
If you are a musician who just wants to lay down straightforward tracks, I think the brand new RC-50 (only buy the one with the new software in it) is an excellent choice.
If you want trippy, additional delays and backwards/forwards/half/double fun buy two DL-4s
If you want extensive midi syncing capabilities (or even basic syncing capabilities) buy a used Repeater (Electrix is currently out of business), an EDP (although despite it's amazing editing abilities-unrivaled in ANY looper- it is only mono and has limited bandwidth)
or save your sheckles and get yourself the cadillac, the LOOPERLATIVE (around $1500 currently). -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Wed, January 3, 2007 - 4:56 PMdoesnt the rc-50 also have a reverse feature?
and i thought that the DL-4 was just a Delay pedal with a looping function. -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Wed, January 3, 2007 - 7:02 PMmight have, esteban, I can't remember.
and nooooooo, the DL-4 is has a lot of stuff going for it, all mentioned above.
I love running one into an other for resampling or just delaying the first loop.
Now because one was damaged on my way to perform at PAS in Austin I had
to replace it immediately only to discover that I could fix it for free when I got home.
I have a sinful three of them now......................WOOOOHOOOOOO! -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Mon, February 5, 2007 - 1:07 AMThe great thing about the DL4 is that it's incredibly easy to use.
The 3 button "user interface" gives a really good range of functions.
"BoneHead Simple" , as Tim 'Bonehead' Bowness described it.
..and then it's possible to do some quite sophisticated 'remix' tricks using the rotary controls if you decide to become an advanced user.
Downside is that there's no feedback control on the loop, which is probably the reason a lot of loopers would call it a Delay box with added loop function.
Other downside is that the modelled delays don't really sound like the originals that they supposedly emulate ( at least not in a studio environment), but this isn't really a downside as they're still good sounds, and the couple of "models" which are Line 6 creations rather than intended copies are excellent.
The RC-50 also lacks a feedback control, but there's a clever workaround for that by mixing the secondary ouputs back to the input.
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Re: Boss RC-50
Tue, January 9, 2007 - 2:43 PMYou saisd that right, simple looping, that it is probally a great tool for teaching, but for Live shows I am not convinced that this is the right tool for the job. I thought there was a lot of set up just to make a loop compared to my Repeater, but you can also do some other functions that my Repeater can not do.
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Re: Boss RC-50
Sat, February 3, 2007 - 8:37 AMhas anyone seen the demo video with rico loop? thats basicly what i want to do too yet there can be so many negative comments on the looper. im also short on money i have around $500 and that is just barely enough for the RC-50 so if anyone can tell me of anything else beeter for that purpose or cheaper it would rock! -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Sun, February 4, 2007 - 2:03 AMIf you want to layer different parts in a fairly straightforward fashion, I think
the RC-50 is a wonderful tool and the only one that will do what you want it to
do (synchronize three different loops in one piece of music).
The drop out of the first beat or so when you truncate your loop is annoying to me at first
but easily worked around by learning how to use it (like all loopers, there is going to be a considerable
learning curve to using it flawlessly and musically in public).
I, personally, would rather own two DL-4s for the same price. They won't synchronize, but used in series,
you can do marvelous work arounds by resampling and layering your loops..............AND you can do
unbelievable more psychedelic and creative applications using the forwards/backwards/1/2 speed-normal speed/double speed
functions that these machines have.
I use my loops to create mostly rhythmica ostinato tracks that then allow me to solo over (or change instruments as I do in my concerts)
so I like the more musical options that the DL-4s afford but they do only allow for 14 seconds of full bandwidth looping.
If you want really long ambient loops then the DL-4 is not your puppy but do remember something that is very important in
in music.....................
just as if you play too fast or play too slow that a rhythm will cease to be percieved as a rhythm, so it is very, very easy to have a loop
so long that an audience doesn't get that there is repetition occuring.
In a four minute piece a 30 - 45 second loop will only occur 6-8 times in it's entirety.
The biggest question, Esteban and the CORRECT answer for you situation is entirely how YOU decide you want to use live looping.
As such, there is no correct answer, only your answer.
Why don't you tell us exactly what you enivision being able to do with live loopiing in your live (or recorded) work.
This will much better help us 'oldbies' here to give you the best advice.
Cheers and how damned exciting that you are going to commit $500 to the incredible rise in sophistication that looping will
afford you in your music.
Remember, that once you have spent it................it'll probably be one to two years before you start eyeing that $1500 LOOPERLATIVE
or $2500 LAPTOP looping solution that really expands the possibilites exponentially in your music.
LOL, careful..................this shit is addictive (said by one with an unrestrained GAS addicion----------------Gear Acquistion Syndrome) -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Mon, February 5, 2007 - 6:56 AMAnd I believe that the first loop trunctate drop-out has been fixed in the new software version. -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Mon, February 5, 2007 - 1:21 PMoh, wunderbar! that's nice to hear.
It's a cool looper for sure!
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Unsu...
Re: Boss RC-50
Mon, February 5, 2007 - 1:34 PM"I ***believe*** that the first loop trunctate drop-out has been fixed in the new software version"
i would like to know for sure if they DID fix that, if anyone has a positive answer, it was on my list of loopers to consider buying but that glitch was the one thing which absolutely ruled it out for me... -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Tue, February 6, 2007 - 6:49 AMFrom a thread on LD, it sounds like it is fixed, but I suggest you look at Roland's pdf for the upgrade to be more sure:
Quoting Sjaak <tcplugin@scarlet.be>:
>> 1) when switching from record to overdub the track is muted for the
>> first 1/2 second
>
>> That is the problem that has kept me from buying one. I thought this
>>> was addressed in the recent software rev?
>
> Yes,
> It's fixed in 1.01
> www.rolandus.com/uploads/C...0_v101.zip
>
> Sjaak
>
Thank you very much for this info.
This Operating System upgrade fixed the "gap" when going from record
to overdub mode.
Also, the playback when syncing is glitch free as long as the track's
"Tempo Sync" is set to "Off".
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Re: Boss RC-50
Mon, February 5, 2007 - 8:41 PMwell thank you Rick so much i just bought the RC-50 and it is just what i wanted so far i have only had it 2 days so later in like a month i will post what is great and not so much about it....but so far I have fallen in love for the first time and have just become a LOOPER!!!! yay i got it with money people gave me for my 16th birthday and now i fell like those teens that get a car at age 16 to drive places...i get a looping pedal to begin my ride on to my new looping career....i am so happy...i will write about the RC-50 soon and will post up music with it :D
thanks again :) -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Tue, February 6, 2007 - 8:29 PMthis is so exciting, Esteban.
What I would have done with a looper at the age of 16!
It's an amazing world you are about to enter.
LOL, since I'm a grizzled old vet I'd be more than happy to advise you
if you hit snags in the looping world. Just write to me off tribe.
good luck, buddy!!!
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Unsu...
Re: Boss RC-50
Wed, April 11, 2007 - 11:06 PMHi there, I also recently bought the rc-50 and so far I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I think it just comes down to what your needs are. I'm using it to create Fripp-ish soundscapes with guitar, and also running a handsonic percussion unit through it to create beat loops.
Hi all, I'm new here.
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Re: Boss RC-50
Wed, February 14, 2007 - 2:23 PMI just got off the phone with BOSS tech support. Apparently, this thing has absolutely no ability to sync to external MIDI. This, despite the fact that all the advertisements I've seen advertise MIDI sync, as well as multiple sections in the user manual describing how to set it up. I bought this thing solely because of MIDI sync. It is going on eBay tomorrow. I would seriously reconsider buying this box if you need MIDI sync. -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Wed, February 14, 2007 - 7:17 PMDear Mos Dave,
If you bought this as a brand new unit and it will not do midi sync as advertised, I would
absolutely demand your full money back for the unit. Even if you've had it a bit of time.
Manufacturers of looping devices really don't want to have their products bad rapped in public forums.
Insist that they return your money OR fix the problem and live up to their promises.
Otherwise, it is false advertising.
If we let them get away with stuff like this, they'll keep doing it. These are not cheap devices.
We deserve better.
If you have any problems with it, let me know. I moderate this tribe and have been very active on Loopers Delight for many years and will gladly write them on your behalf.
Certainly, the music store you bought it from should back you up on this, at least.
Good luck. and start saving your money for a Looperlative, an EDP or a happening laptop setup running Mobius or Augustus loop
yours, Rick -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 2:27 AMI agree 100 percent. I also from my earlier post had this unit, and took it straight back to the store. For someone who needs to use Midi, this thing is a disaster. I guess for a learning tool this unit would be fine, however for live use, there is no way. I have read some postive feedback on this unit but they must be just using it by itself. I have had several diffrent loopers and this thing was totally useless to me. I will kep looking for a live user friendly Looper to replace my Repeater if it ever goes.
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Re: Boss RC-50
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 10:05 AMNo ability at all? That's what they said? The MIDI In port is for looks? -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Thu, March 8, 2007 - 6:53 AMHere's an email message that someone on Looper's Delight received when they kept on asking Roland US tech support for information on when the RC-50 software was going to be upgraded next:
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had a late answer from roland support in the us regarding the rc50....but i
have already let the matter go in my mind....still interesting tho.......he
sounds a bit worn down by my questions...
"The RC-50 has had a few quirks in its short life. One, a short skip in the
audio playback upon using it live to loop, was addressed in an update. These
updates come from Japan where the product is designed, developed and
manufactured. When they get to the US, they are complete and ready to go on
the shelf. If they need fixes, such as the RC-50 needed, it requires us to
contact Roland Japan and ask their engineers to stop the development on
upcoming products and to turn their attention to developing this software
update. Needless to say, it can sometimes be difficult to convince our
parent company that they NEED to do something for us. Although we here at
Roland US seem like we own and operate the entire Roland world, the real
truth is that we are merely distributors of the Roland brand here in the US.
We are the Guitar Center that ONLY sells Roland, you could say.
Anyhow, long explanations aside, this is the reason behind the "That is the
way it works" answer you seem to keep getting. We don't HAVE engineers here
in the US that we can tell to "get on it" or to devote to, what we consider,
an important update. We don't have a way to fix this problem you are having
and it seems that we may not have a way in the near future. We were very
lucky to get the one update we did receive and it would seem that there are
no more coming down the pipeline. I realize this may be a little
disillusioning for you, but I guess sometimes the truth can do that. In the
end, if the pedal seems unstable and unusable to you, it may not be the
product for you.
Again, sorry for the lengthy message, but you seemed to want a rock solid
answer. This explanation is literally THE best answer you can get from
anyone in the entire US on this product.
I hope that this helps answer your request. If you need more assistance in
this matter, please either re-submit your support request or contact our
Product Support Department at the appropriate number:
Digital Recorders and Mixers: 323-890-3741
Guitar/Percussion Products: 323-890-3743
Pianos, Organs, Arrangers: 323-890-3744
Synths/Sound Modules/Groove Products: 323-890-3745
Product Support Main: 323-890-3740
Sincerely,
Roland Product Support" -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Thu, March 8, 2007 - 8:35 AMOK, so I won't be buying any Roland equipment.
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Re: Boss RC-50
Mon, April 16, 2007 - 5:06 PMWow, what a refreshingly honest answer! (Even if the result itself is annoying.)
I'll bet this goes for a lot of the other companies, also... -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Mon, April 16, 2007 - 7:32 PMYes, and as irritating as that answer is, The RC-50 would have
blown my fucking mind in 1995 with what it can do currently (in it's latest version).
I've come to believe that the musical technology world is an imperfect world with a lot of
irritating things about it.
Do I wish that the Repeater had better midi sync capabilities....................of course!
Do I wish that someone would update the hardwared of the Gibson EDP.....................in a heartbeat
Do I wish that the Looperlative could snip it's loops into musical rhythmic intervals............I've been lobbying for months
But each of these instruments has been a godsend to the way I make music in my life.
Before them, I could play drums or percussion or bass or keyboards in a band.
Now I am the band!
So, the next time you are macking on a manufacturer for their failings, also ask yourself, what CAN I do with that equipment.
Obviously if the failing is too short..........then don't buy the stuff, but , trust me, if you can't make really interesting music
with an RC-50 you probably can't make interesting music.
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Re: Boss RC-50
Tue, June 19, 2007 - 11:49 PMI use the rc-20 xl version loop pedal and I love it. I believ the rc-50 has a lot more features. Id go with it.
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Re: Boss RC-50
Wed, November 12, 2008 - 7:59 PMwhat a turd, its a $500 doorstop.......it doesnt sync to midi period, it says it does but it needs to be the master, and it has to have midi start message to sync and when it does its just not syncing well. its good as a stand alone looper,but even then its not musical like a boomerang.
I am selling mine its 2 month's old - ,interested ? email me denis@dtguitar.com -
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Re: Boss RC-50
Thu, November 13, 2008 - 4:49 PMUnfortunately, in order to get really good midi sync
you will be forced to buy a used EDP (monophonic, limited band width but
wonderful, wonderful loop editing features...........the deepest of any hardware looper),
a used Electrix Repeater or bite the bullet and get the
fabulous Looperlative (around $1500 USD) which is an amazing piece of kit
which I can say honestly, even though I am an endorsee.
Also, Matthias Grob, the inventor of the EDP echoplex is just about to release a wonderful,
full bandwidth, stereo version of the EDP (LOOP V) in software.
That release is imminent. If you can't wait for that, then try Jeff Larson's EDP (and more)
emulation that is freeware.............................you have to have a good laptop and a good
audio breakout box which is going to set you back a minimum of $1,000 or more
and also be prepared that a laptop computer is not dedicated to live looping functions
as a hardware box is.
There are pros and cons in both worlds but it was interesting to note that of 45 live looping artists
at this years' festival, only three of them were using laptop rigs............all the rest were using
hardware.
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