BOSS RC-1 vs RC-3 vs RC-30 | Better Music

Looping pedals can add so much to your sound. Whether you're just starting out, or looking to upgrade, today Bob takes you through which looper is right for you.

[Indeedlydoodly]

Top simplified break down. Told me exactly what I wanted and needed to know about the pedal range, their capabilities and functions. Thank you.

[hitmanbluesband]

I just did a livestream this past weekend and used a borrowed RC-1. A few things:
There are two modes: the first is record-overdub-playback. The second is record-playback-overdub. Most people like the second, but for some reason the default is the first. You can change modes in the pedal.

From Roland's "Zen Desk":

1. While holding down the pedal switch, turn the power on (insert a plug into the OUTPUT A jack). The LOOP indicator (red) lights, indicating the current recording mode. Red in a 1/2 circle on the top means mode 1, on the bottom means mode 2.

2. Press the pedal switch successively twice (within one second) to change the recording mode. So if it's red in the top half, pressing twice will switch to red in the bottom half.

3. Press the pedal switch (once). The LOOP indicator (green) lights up (green instead of red), indicating the current stop mode.

AVAILABLE RECORDING MODES:
-UPPER HALF LIT: Switch in the order of recording > overdubbing > playback (default setting).
-LOWER HALF LIT: Switch in the order of recording > playback > overdubbing.

AVAILABLE STOP MODES:
-UPPER HALF LIT: Press the pedal switch successively twice to stop immediately (default setting).
-LOWER HALF LIT: Press the pedal switch successively twice to enable stopping at the end of the phrase; playback stops when the phrase has played to its end. When playback stops, the phrase is erased.

How operation works when stop has been enabled:
• The LOOP indicator (green) rotates while blinking.
• Press the pedal switch successively twice to stop immediately and erase the phrase.
• Hold down the pedal switch for two seconds.



Notice that you then have to turn the unit off (unplug the output jack) to get OUT of this programming mode. Then plug it back in, and you're in whichever mode you selected. I know it looks confusing, but once you know this and THEN look at the instructions, it becomes pretty clear.

But you still have that idiotic "dance" where you have to press once to stop recording, then press it twice to stop playback. For instance, let's say you have a song and you want to solo over the verse - pretty typical - but you have to get through a chorus first before you solo. If you record the verse, you need to stop it from recording, then stop it from playing because now you're doing the chorus and they will, obviously, conflict. And you're probably singing, and remembering lyrics, and looking at the audience, and desperately trying to click it three times but you miss and only click it twice or maybe four times.

Disaster awaits.

Answer: you can spend $30 or $50 on a BOSS pedal. OR, you can spend $15 on an Imelod keyboard sustain pedal. You plug that in to the external footpedal plug. Now, you record your verse, and press the Imelod pedal ONCE. The recording stops, and it doesn't play back until you press the RC-1 pedal. Cool! To erase your recording, just hold down the Imelod pedal for a few seconds.

Works GREAT.

It doesn't have to be Imelod, any keyboard sustain pedal should work if it's "momentary default closed". That means the pedal doesn't "click" when you press it. Think of a doorbell - it's momentary, it only rings as long as you hold it. A doorbell is default open - it doesn't make a connection until you press it, then the circuit is complete and the bell rings. We want the OPPOSITE - we want it to remain closed until you press it, then the circuit is broken.

For whatever reason, that's how the BOSS pedal it set up. It expects to see a closed connection from the external footpedal. When the circuit "opens" by your pressing on it, the recording stops and the pedal goes into pause mode. No overdub, no playback, it's just waiting for you to press the RC-1 pedal and it starts playback. Then you press the Imelod pedal again to stop playback - no double press needed. And, without that Imelod, if you want to erase your recording, you have to hold down the RC-1 pedal for a few seconds - and it starts playing back before it erases. Not good for a live show. WITH the pedal, you just hold down the Imelod for a few seconds and it deletes the recording without it playing back first.

MUCH, MUCH better! BTW, the Imelod has a switch on it so the pedal can be either default open or default closed - your choice.

[hatanbu]

No 1. Simple and very informative. Now I know which one I need. Thanks.

[foxtrot]

Wow this is a perfect video. It told me exactly what I needed and without a bunch of extra stuff like most videos these days do.

[leozaiss]

What a great channel! So simple and of such high quality!! Really keep up that work!!

[bhhNC]

After 10+ years using a gray basic DITTO in live and studio environments, I bought a used Boss RC-3. I love the DITTO, but an upcoming New England gig next month requires the additional loop-saving features of the Boss. I'm experimenting with the stereo inputs to send a 2nd signal into the loop other than my Telecaster.

[juanshaman]

Great intro to this kind of Boss pedals. Thanks a lot.

[clarkyyy]

Awesome video, exactly what I was looking for thanks!!

[JohnOhkumaThiel]

Exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!

[natesparza]

I’ve been looking for this information for a long time. It was very useful! Thank you!

[fab-heidema]

Great simple explanation. Just what I needed to make a decision 👌🏼😃

[javierarnaldosbernal]

so the main difference between the RC3 and the RC30 is the possibility of recording vocals in the RC30? If that's the only significant difference I think I will get the RC3. thanks, great explanation

[shambooki]

I bought a DD8 recently which has a built in looper and for the first week I owned it I didn't touch any of the other delay modes...I just used it as a looper. Now that I've started using the delay as an actual delay more, I'm almost certainly going to need a dedicated looper.

[degacci]

Great video mate, exactly what I was looking for plus RC1 and RC300 which I wasn’t even aware of. RC30 plus stop pedal seems ideal for, double tap can be annoying haven’t tried it yet but glad to know I have options! I have a Line 6 HD500x which I LOVE. Only issue is the built in looper is only 60 seconds or so.

[teacher]

Boss rc 1, rc 3, rc 30.looper stations....rc 200. In early year's, ....build for professional guitarists... fast seller pedals...only one, and one only !!!!

[MADKOALA]

If I record a loop with the RC1 can I stop that individual track and bring it back into the chorus for example if I'm playing live?

[mdynsnc]

Hello! Rc-5 or Rc-30? What do you think?

[chicharones]

What if you want 1 vocal and 2 instruments? Bass and guitar? I see there are 2 in’s on the 30 can’t you plug your bass and guitar?

[PreciselyP]

Great breakdown! So glad I stumbled on to your page! New follower! I'm leaning towards the RC 3...using it for more vocal based ideas...wondering if you would go with RC 3 or the TC Electronic Ditto Jam X2 Looper pedal?

[KcLee]

What's about boss Rc-20xl ( look similar ) to Boss RC-30..

Work by the same?