Boss RC-3 Loop Station Guitar Effects Pedal Review (September 2024)

Name: Boss RC-3 Loop Station Guitar Effects Pedal Review ([month] [year])
SKU: 799
Price: 178.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$178.00

Last updated on September 16, 2024 8:12 pm Details

Description

In this review post we’re going to be discussing the Boss RC-3 Loop Station Guitar Effects Pedal, including an overview of its unique features.

Product Description

The RC-3 is powerfully equipped yet conveniently housed in a compact pedal. Enjoy up to three hours of stereo recording time, storage for 99 loops, a “real drums” rhythm guide, and USB 2.0 compatibility all in a small BOSS stompbox.

The RC-3 provides three hours of stereo recording capacity direct to internal memory. Now you can record long phrases without worrying about memory. 99 memory locations let you save as many phrases or ideas as you can create. Guitarists who want to incorporate external stereo effects devices will appreciate the true stereo I/O on the RC-3.

The Auto Recording feature starts recording the moment you begin playing your guitar, or as soon as you start a connected audio player. Count-In mode gives you one bar of rhythm before the recording starts. You can Undo/Redo as you go. The sky’s the limit with three hours of recording time!

To keep your loops tight and in time, you can play along with one of the basic rhythm patterns in the RC-3’s onboard library as you record. Ten types of rhythm types are provided, including Rock, Pop, Funk, Shuffle, R&B, and Latin. A dedicated knob lets you adjust the volume of the rhythm, and you can set the tempo via tap tempo. You can also specify the time signature. When you save a phrase, the rhythm type and time signature will also be saved.

In addition to recording your guitar or bass performances and turning them into playable loops, you can also record other external stereo audio sources via the RC-3’s AUX IN. Sound from a digital-audio player connected to the AUX input, for example, can easily be recorded and made into a loop.

Product Features

Compact and powerful stereo stompbox looper
Massive internal memory with up to three hours of stereo recording time
99 onboard memories for storing loops
USB 2.0 port allows you to connect to a PC and import/export WAV audio
Rhythm guide with real drums
Runs on a single 9-volt battery or optional AC power supply
BOSS five-year warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

Strong build quality
Incredibly reliable
Positive customer ratings
Worth the investment
Excellent sound output
Perfect for studio recording and live performance

Cons

Large in size
Rather expensive

Boss RC-3 Loop Station Guitar Effects Pedal Demo

Our Verdict

This pedal can be used for a variety of purposes, including jamming with yourself, laying down a set of chords to practice over, composing and arranging new songs by adding new parts in overdubs, or using it as a live performance tool, either by recording phrases and looping them live to play over or by triggering pre-recorded backing tracks or sound effects – you can set up some of your phrases for one-shot playback rather than repeating loops.

The RC-3 also has the ability to slow down phrases without affecting pitch using the tap tempo button, allowing it to be used as a phrase trainer for learning any tough parts that you load into it from a computer.

The new RC-3 takes the concept to a whole new level with a well-balanced collection of practical features that allow for a variety of uses, all in a value-for-money pedal that can easily slot onto any pedalboard.

Where to Buy

The best place to buy this product has to be Amazon, due to their competitive pricing and fantastic customer service.