This post was updated on: April 24th 2024
Speaking of Boss's looper, it cannot be denied that this brand is a leading name with high-quality goods at economical prices.
Boss RC 505 vs RC 300 are the two top products for the looping station of Boss. Yet, which one is better for you-users?
As most opinions said that they both perform well, it would be challenging for you to odd out the better one. However, don't worry, this post will give you a full comparison of them. Let's dive in now.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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BOSS Audio Systems RC-505 Loop Station | Check Price |
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Boss RC-300 Loop Station 3-track Looper Pedal | Check Price |
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 19:15 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Boss RC 505 Vs RC 300 - The Similarities
Recording time
The first aspect that helps them earn love and trust from customers is their longevity while recording.
The two models offer a long time of recording, which can be up to 3 hours.
Compared to other loopers in the market, we would say RC 300 vs RC 505 are in the top positions in prolonging recording time.
Presets
RC 505 vs RC 300 do have 99 presets onboard to memorize, save and store your loops.
You can also name your saved products, so you need to scroll down the channel to find them instead of remembering all of them.
Just a reminder, these don't come with limitless saving space.
The two models only provide you with enough space to create entire songs, phrases, and loops; thus, our advice is that you should transfer some older ones to your computer just in case.
Undo/Redo Ability
After testing, we found that this ability of RC 300 vs RC 505 is one of Boss's most wonderful features to users in our opinion.
It will give you chances to fix your mistakes immediately or create a new style for your tracks.
Many clients said this capability is a rescuer or a lifesaver when performing on stage.
It helps you instantly take out the elements you don't want to appear in your tracks or be creative by putting the new one while playing.
Unlimited Overdubs
Both of them offer an excellent ability for overdubbing (or you can call it layering) when creating a track.
With the set pedal of Record/Play/Overdub and Stop, users now freely switch between the records and take control of their finished product.
You only need to press the record pedal to start recording the second track onto the first one instantly.
Although this overdub ability will help reduce some unwanted noise from the external, it also comes with an automatic fade in and out of the beginning and end of loops.
It will irritate you when the automatic fade can cut your recordings' content at the beginning and end.
Boss RC 300 Vs RC 505 - The Differences
Numbers of phrase tracksÂ
Speaking of differences, the first and obvious one you can see right in the exterior is the RC 505 goes along with five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks.
If you compared it to the RC 300, this model provides more options while recording.
Plus, each of the tracks furnished with tempo sync settings and independent playback mode (single, multi, reverse, one-shot, etc).
They provide advanced performance options and a flexibly creative combination of track behaviors.
Appearance type
Unlike the former RC 300 using foot pedals, this new type comes with the design for tabletop usage with all the finger-fits buttons.
Boss has given more chances for others instead of guitar or keyboard plays since RC 505 specializes for synth players, beatboxers, and singers looking to enter the world of looping.
However, it seems to us that RC 505 Vs. RC 300 is not handy enough for everyone.
Using the RC 505 while playing guitar is quite a challenge since you may not have free hands to adjust some buttons.
Still, some features of the RC 300 are for hand utilization, so it won't be very pleasant for some performers to bend down and tweak the button while on stage.
Range of effects
Having done testing these two models, we found that the RC 505 offers more diversity as it has 85 onboard rhythms, including odd-measure beats.
In contrast, the older model only has 16 onboard effects for optimizing the loop.
Due to various effects, users like vocalists can now use some specialty outcomes, such as vocal distortion, vocoder, and robot to achieve a more prolific product.
Several modes are suitable for guitar players to create a whole-band sensation with only one instrument like a guitar to bass effect, delays, and phasers.
Input and Output
Considering the connectivity, the RC 300 comes with two ÂĽ-inch and an Auxiliary â…›-inch input jacks but only a stereo output for headphones.
It also has a typical USB cable to connect with your computer for phrases keeping purpose.
You can use this cable to import or export WAV files with a size up to 1.7GB.
Still, its special point is on the AUX input since you can add sounds from a digital-audio player or other devices to your loop if these are connected to the AUX one.
While compared to the RC 505, this later model has more inputs and outputs than the previous. As for the input connectivity, it has:
- Two ÂĽ -inch jacks: the left one is for mono channel, whereas the right one fits for stereo sound)
- An XLR microphone jack that has an On/Off switch phantom power.
- An Auxiliary â…›-inch with the same features as the RC 300
It also has three more output options: dual left/right jacks and a sub one.
Additionally, the RC-505 serves as a MIDI interface/USB audio that works best in stage performance with MIDI sync, and audio recorded tracks, laptops, and others.
Boss RC 505 vs RC 300 - Which is Better?
For this segment, we will list all the pros and cons of both models for you to have a look at before coming to the verdict which one is better.
Pros & Cons of BOSS RC-300
- Stereo Loop Pedal with 3 Controllable Stereo Loops
- XLR Microphone Input with Phantom Power
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 19:15 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Pros & Cons of BOSS RC-505
- Tabletop Loop Station that can be operated with the hands, perfect for beatboxers, vocalists, and club performers
- Five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks, with dedicated controls and independent volume faders
Last update on 2024-04-24 at 01:19 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
After discussing and testing both Boss RC 505 vs RC 300, our final choice is the RC 505. With its outstanding capability, we consider that it is the best option compared to others.
RC 505 also offers more clarity in sound when we do the actual sound test. Still, if you are a guitarist wanting some things with less hand-free requirements, RC 300 fits right for you.
FAQs
How To Ensure The Loop Will Start At The Beginning On RC 505?
As you may not know, people usually divide RC 505's tracks into two types.
The setting of the first two tracks is multi while the rest-3,4 and 5 are single.
That means it will allow track 1-2 to overdub or keep running while the rest are likely to be in use in changing between Verse/Chorus/Bridge.
To make the loop start at the beginning of RC 505, you should use Loop Sync.
It is in Song Mode, and it can either switch or start single tracks right from the loop's phrase beginning.
How Long Can A Loop Be In The Boss RC 505?
We can't tell you the exact time, but it all depends on the amount of work you've done and the number of loops you've saved.
As we mentioned above, the space is not limitless, so it would be better to take some time and transfer them to your laptop.
How To Reset RC 300?
To reset your RC 300, please follow the given steps below:
- The machine always has to be on when you want to reset it.
- Then, hold both the Write and Exit buttons up till these "System + Memory" show up in the display.
- Press the Write button again until the word "Completed!" appears.
- Now, you only need to restart and use it.
Final WordsÂ
Well, that's all for this review of Boss RC 505 vs RC 300.
After having read through, we hope you can find all the information needed in this comparison before deciding which one to buy.
Just a note, this post is only a reference since it's all based on our experience.
Yet, good luck with your choice. Thank you for reading