Boss RC-2From real comments

Name: Boss RC-2
Rating: 1.7 (8 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 8 mentions across 6 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment25%

PROS 25%

CONS 75%

Rank based on 8 mentions across 6 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a simple, affordable single-pedal looper for home songwriting
You're a beginner who wants to layer loops without a steep learning curve
You mainly need short loop lengths for practice or writing ideas

What users love

Easy multipart looping and songwriting tool0 mentions

Strongly positive

Skip this if...

You need to record long phrases beyond about 8 bars
You want to layer two different instruments simultaneously
You're bothered by plastic-feeling buttons or want barefoot-friendly controls

What users complain about

Toy-like build and uncomfortable buttons0 mentions

Generally negative

Short maximum loop/recording length0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Single instrument input limits layering0 mentions

Generally negative

Track bleed-through bug0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Criticized as Boss's weakest looper0 mentions

Strongly criticized

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You are here

31Budget

Boss RC-2

Easy multipart looping and songwriting toolToy-like build and uncomfortable buttonsCriticized as Boss's weakest looperShort maximum loop/recording length

Boss RC-2

Easy multipart looping and songwriting tool

Toy-like build and uncomfortable buttons

Criticized as Boss's weakest looper

Short maximum loop/recording length

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Great for quick, fun loop-based songwriting. Users describe jumping right in and creating multipart pieces at home, calling it 'gold' for experienced players and a fun discovery tool for beginners. One owner still uses their original unit years later for home playing, finding no need to upgrade to pricier Boss loopers. It's seen as a solid entry point into looping and useful for beating writer's block.

Recording length and single input can feel restrictive. At least one user found their RC-2 only records around 8 bars (about 10 seconds) before cutting off, frustrating for longer licks. Another asked whether the pedal supports more than one instrument input, suggesting the single-input design limits layering acoustic and electric sources together in the same loop setup.

Build and reliability complaints surface for some owners. One long-time user called the RC-2 Boss's worst pedal, citing poor intuitiveness and inferior sound versus simpler loopers like the Ditto X2, and noted its discontinuation. A separate user reported a bug where track 1 content bleeds into track 2 despite bounce settings being off, while others describe the stud-style buttons as uncomfortable without shoes.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

library_musicEasy multipart looping and songwriting tool

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Users say the RC-2 makes it simple to layer parts and build full pieces quickly, calling it 'gold' for experienced players and a fun learning tool for beginners. It's praised as an in-between pedal for keeping music going while adding new parts.

@New_Zealand_Music

Thank you for your video. I've been using a loop station sense rc50. And I'll tell you what. Even if you're not that interested in looping. It's a very good investment. Because if you have any timing issues. It will most definitely fix them . Righteous. So my setup consists of still got my rc50, going I bought the RC 300 last year. And I've also got an rc2. I like to use that particular one. As like an in-between pedal. So you can record a loop. Keep the music going. While you start your next don't. But being able to do 7 loops is fantastic. It really is part of my life support system. I write most of my songs using them. And say if I'm using a synthesiser and I don't want to use an arpeggiator or whatever full. You can use the loop station to make it sound more organic. Also since I got the RC 300. I use my rc50 sometimes as sampler. It's brilliant for that. I mean unless you need lots of different options. And you have enough on the loop. They make great sampler, definitely. May I please ask you a question. Do you have an opinion on the Modal Cobalt5s ? I bought one last year and have been really enjoying it. Once you get to know the workflow, it's brilliant. And like SOS magazine said. It's actually competition to big brother. And possibly better. Because of its workflow. They did a wonderful review. So out of meaning of course. I'll check cherry pick two. I really liked my modal and also my typhon, also even though I think it's highly underrated. But yeah don't use the sampler unsyncer. I really think it's a sleeper investment.. I think it's absolutely brilliant. I use my Roland tr-09 to pay it. I also like to use two drum machines live. One digital one analogue. So I can have a mix of both or switch between the two. Am I a music totally. And loving it. Loving it. I started playing synthesisers not long before covid started. It certainly was a great adventure. And a British friend of mine who is older than me. Who started playing in 1983. Says I'm an amazing keyboard player. And I really look up to this man I think he's amazing. He can seriously spit out. 75 songs in one week. Hello from New Zealand\n🙂

smart_display

July 28, 2023

@christianzafiroglu6705

I picked one up this week. While the guitar shop I was in wasn’t much help in setting me up with it, at home I’ve made terrifically fun loops and multipart pieces. \n\n\nFor a beginner it’s like a light saber in the hands of a child. But for a more adventurous experienced player, it’s gold.

smart_display

March 31, 2021

touch_appToy-like build and uncomfortable buttons

2 mentions

Generally negative

The RC-2 is described as having a toy-like feel, and its stud-type buttons are called uncomfortable for barefoot players compared to other Boss loopers.

@Fauxleroid

It’s worth noting that if you often don’t have shoes on when you play guitar, the stud type buttons on loopers are really uncomfortable. RC-1 and RC-5 best for the bare foot posse. 😂

smart_display

August 14, 2023

@djvartan

Most underrated product on the market. One reason is it’s toy like look.

smart_display

November 17, 2021

timerShort maximum loop/recording length

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user reports the RC-2 only allows roughly 8 bars or 10 seconds of recording before cutting off, preventing longer licks from being captured in one pass.

@jtgautreau

Hi, nice demo, really helpful. I got an RC-2 and I'm in learning mode so I can incorporate it to my live solo acoustic gigs at the end of the month. One question though..... my RC-2 will only allow me to record around 10 seconds (or 8 bars more or less) is this normal? sometimes I wanna record a lick that's 16 bars and then loop it, but it cuts me off and starts playing whatever I was recording up to the 8th bar.

smart_display

March 14, 2013

inputSingle instrument input limits layering

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user considering the RC-2 for electric violin asks whether it's possible to also layer an acoustic-electric guitar, unsure if the pedal supports more than one input source at a time.

@wet_egg

Awesome tutorial. I'm a beginner to all of this, so I'm a bit clueless.. Is there any way to use multiple instruments on the same loop pedal? I'm looking into an RC-2 (mainly for electric violin), but I want to know if I could layer my acoustic-electric guitar over too. I guess my question is, is there only one input on the RC-2, or is there a way to plug in two instruments? Thanks!

smart_display

July 13, 2012

bug_reportTrack bleed-through bug

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user reports that despite disabling bounce on all tracks, content from track 1 keeps appearing on track 2 when recording, making it hard to keep tracks independent.

@mikereynolds7363

I just got this device and am really frustrated because anytime I have something recorded on track 1, have that playing, and then record something on track 2, everything on track 1 is also recorded on track 2, even though I have bounce SW off and all five tracks set to not bounce. It’s driving me mad. How do I prevent other tracks from being recorded onto a new track I am recording to? Thank you for any help.

smart_display

July 31, 2023

thumb_downCriticized as Boss's weakest looper

1 mentions

Strongly criticized

One long-term owner says the RC-2 is a rare case of a Boss pedal that 'went completely wrong,' citing poor intuitiveness and worse sound quality compared to simpler competitors, and notes it has been discontinued.

@JohannesLabusch

No surprise this pedal has been discontinued. I'm mad that I paid all that money when it came out. Should have known that if you can't figure out a pedal in reasonable time and use it intuitively, it's worthless. If I look at the Ditto x2 today, it's very obvious what a looper aimed at guitar players should really do: Pristine sound quality (24 bit, and yes, you do hear the difference!), simple operation, no unnecessary bells and whistles. The RC-2 is the rare case of a Boss pedal that went completely wrong. Bummer.

smart_display

May 24, 2015

Boss RC-2chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Boss RC-2From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression