BOSS RC-5

The BOSS RC-5 is a compact, single-track looper pedal from BOSS, released in October 2020 as one of two new Loop Station flagships alongside the BOSS RC-500¹. It records one stereo track at a time, holds 99 phrase memories with up to 13 hours of stereo recording in total, and includes a dedicated drum machine with 57 preset rhythms²³⁴. Housed in BOSS's compact series stompbox format with full stereo I/O, it lists at $199.99¹⁵.

What it does

The RC-5 is built around one stereo track with 32-bit sound processing, aimed at guitarists and live performers who want advanced looping in a stompbox⁴⁷. BOSS positions it for intermediate players, live performers, and acoustic musicians, and describes its interface as the most advanced available in any stompbox looper³. It offers reverse and quantize modes for precise looping, plus a single onboard effect, a reverb⁷⁶.

Guitar World's buying guide called it the best all-rounder of the loopers tested, with the reviewer writing⁶:

GuitarPlayer's guide, updated May 2026, names the RC-5 its best looper overall, noting it "offers you more memory than you're ever likely to use, with a huge 13 hours worth at 1.5 hours per track"⁸. Performer Magazine's review found that "with 13 hours of internal recording time, along with a USB connection to backup loops to a computer, it brings contemporary looping power to a compact pedal"⁹.

The controls

The RC-5's front panel keeps looping to a single versatile pedal switch that covers all the basic looping functions: record, overdub, and playback¹¹⁰. The LCD's backlight changes color to indicate which state you are in, recording, overdub, or playback, so you can see where you are on a dark stage¹. A multi-function parameter knob handles navigation of rhythms, system settings, and more, on a color screen BOSS describes as easy to navigate¹⁷.

A useful live trick from BOSS's own gigging tips: hold the footswitch down for two seconds to turn off the overdub layer (Undo), and hold it again to bring it back¹².

For players who need more than one switch, the RC-5 supports up to two external footswitches for direct control of many assignable functions¹⁰. BOSS suggests a two-button footswitch such as the BOSS FS-6 or FS-7 for scrolling through your loops, dedicated record and stop switches, and tap tempo¹². MIDI is also available for extra control options⁷.

Rhythms and memory

The onboard drum machine provides 57 preset rhythm patterns with an A/B variation and seven different drum kit sounds³¹³. An expression pedal connected to the RC-5 can be used as a volume pedal for your loops or the drum machine, or to change tempo¹².

Memory is generous: 99 phrase memories holding up to 13 hours of stereo recording, at 1.5 hours for a single track⁶. Loop audio can be backed up to a computer over USB⁴.

Power and connections

The RC-5 runs on a 9V AC adaptor or four AA alkaline batteries⁴. BOSS highlights battery power as a busking-friendly option on its compact Loop Station models, including the RC-5, so you can loop away from mains power¹⁴. The pedal has two outputs and full stereo signal paths⁶¹³.

External connections cover up to two footswitches, an expression pedal, and MIDI in and out¹²³.

Firmware updates

Boss publishes a reference manual for the RC-5, which covers the pedal's system settings and operations in detail, and it can be downloaded from the Boss support site¹⁵¹⁶.

Where it sits in the lineup

The RC-5 arrived in October 2020 alongside the dual-track RC-500, both offering 13 hours of stereo recording and extensive external control¹¹⁷³. It sits above simpler single-switch boxes like the Boss RC-1 Loop Station and below the Boss RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station in BOSS's compact looper range⁷. BOSS rates its skill level as beginner to intermediate, and describes it as suited to guitarists and live performers⁴.

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