Boss RC-202 Loop Station

1st I was hesitated to buy this item on this shop even though I really want to do so due to the pricing is way lower than the other offer. But I take the risk seeing that the seller is legit. And I was more than delightful when I received and tried the product as its really WORTH IT! Thumbs up to this seller.

A powerful loopstation with a few major limitations.

Works well as 'master', but suffers from audio artifacts in 'slave' mode. The 3 digit coded display is extremely limiting, and to a lesser extent so are the 2 tracks despite being able to overdub. Overall more useful as a phrase training machine than a creative workstation.

Boss RC-202 - Versatile, Convenient, Packed with capability!

The Boss RC-202 Desktop Looper (which can also be used as a stomp-box) is Versatile in that it offers many 'FX' options for real-time tweaking of incoming audio sound, such as Pitch-Shift, Lo-Fi, Ring Mod and Delay, as well as MIDI signal operations such as Program Change, Bank Change, Phrase Memory Change and Tempo changes. An external Foot Pedal input is provided to control several parameters. Mic and Line inputs are provided, with phantom power if needed. Captured loops can be real-time adjusted with Beat, Filter, Slicer and Delay. 17 Rhythm Accompaniment patterns are available if needed.The Boss RC-202 Desktop Looper is Convenient to use due to its portability and size. The Looper's use is enhanced by button lighting schemes which identify which 'Mode' the ... MoreThe Boss RC-202 Desktop Looper (which can also be used as a stomp-box) is Versatile in that it offers many 'FX' options for real-time tweaking of incoming audio sound, such as Pitch-Shift, Lo-Fi, Ring Mod and Delay, as well as MIDI signal operations such as Program Change, Bank Change, Phrase Memory Change and Tempo changes. An external Foot Pedal input is provided to control several parameters. Mic and Line inputs are provided, with phantom power if needed. Captured loops can be real-time adjusted with Beat, Filter, Slicer and Delay. 17 Rhythm Accompaniment patterns are available if needed.The Boss RC-202 Desktop Looper is Convenient to use due to its portability and size. The Looper's use is enhanced by button lighting schemes which identify which 'Mode' the Looper is in - Record, Playback, Overdub, or any of the FX settings which are active. Each of the 2 recording Tracks can be silenced as needed, played as a One-Shot, played in Reverse, the overdub Replaced, Undone or Redone. Also, by switching through the 8 Memory Phases in each of 8 Banks, progression through a song is easily accomplished.The Boss RC-202 Desktop Looper is Packed with capabilities beyond these descriptions. 40 FX Types, 40 FX Parameters, 35 Footswitch settings and Auto-Off.The Boss RC-202 Desktop Looper can also be connected via USB to a computer to store and retrieve data.

I like it but?

I own several loopers and this one is ok except for:The deal killer for me on this is that there is no way of having it ignore midi start stop messages !!If you have it hooked up to a midi clock signal any time you start or stop the clock this will start and stop.I contacted Roland and they don't seem to think this is a problem. I use a rhythm machine or DAW, logic, as my system midi clock, any time these start they send a midi start signal, most gear can filter this out, this can't !So when you start your drum machine the looper starts. This doesn't work for me. I want to start the looper later after the drum machine starts. I really can't believe this simple function was left out and no interest in fixing it. If you plan on using it without a midi clock input ... MoreI own several loopers and this one is ok except for:The deal killer for me on this is that there is no way of having it ignore midi start stop messages !!If you have it hooked up to a midi clock signal any time you start or stop the clock this will start and stop.I contacted Roland and they don't seem to think this is a problem. I use a rhythm machine or DAW, logic, as my system midi clock, any time these start they send a midi start signal, most gear can filter this out, this can't !So when you start your drum machine the looper starts. This doesn't work for me. I want to start the looper later after the drum machine starts. I really can't believe this simple function was left out and no interest in fixing it. If you plan on using it without a midi clock input it will probably work great for you, that's why I rated it 3 instead of 1 star.

Instant Gratification

This is a great tool for in the studio and easy to use live. Intuitive to learn and the curve is very slight. I use it for quick looping and making longer drone, collage, vocal synth lines, and samples. Could even do a whole set with this and a mic. Also could be good in your fx send for your drum machine, and to help create complex rhythms. Beyond the stratosphere is really the limit with this piece.

Live EDM, vocal, whatever you wish on the fly.

Watch the numerous YouTube videos on this model if it's for you. I've looked for years for a proper looper and thought about all the guitar versions. Though I passed them up as for I didn't want a tough switch on a table to have to press. Boss / Roland gracefully knew there was a gap for live producers and this thing is it. I purchased on luck for 250.00 and if I want another I can easily attach via midi and audio in and out. Really is easy to use and overdub and rerecord. Really also helps if you have that beat and want to quickly record it. Effects are are really easy to use. You have 8 total banks with I think 8 parts to record to! That's a huge memory bank and each bank set can be really big. Really helps with creativity.

Looper

Super easy to work with, makes my creations even better, it's also a powerful effects box, even makes my singing sound ok. If you want to make easy sounds this bit of kit will do it for you.

Quality!!

This is a neat product, i wanted the bigger model for the 5 channels , but in the middle of lock down the 202 was all that was avaliable to purchase without having to wait, however...The 202 is a brilliant piece of kit , does exactly what it says on the tin and with the help of youtube tutorials i was making some interesting beats ! Reasonable price too. Im still going to get the bigger version, and simply link it to the 202 and have 7 channels.Well designed and simple to use, pmt have never failed to deliver in the 20 or so years ive been using them. My 1st choice for music products. Boss is a reliable brand . The 202 looper is ideal to make beats fast.Im particularly impressed with the " guitar to bass effect, which simply turns your guitar in to a bass guitar, ... MoreThis is a neat product, i wanted the bigger model for the 5 channels , but in the middle of lock down the 202 was all that was avaliable to purchase without having to wait, however...The 202 is a brilliant piece of kit , does exactly what it says on the tin and with the help of youtube tutorials i was making some interesting beats ! Reasonable price too. Im still going to get the bigger version, and simply link it to the 202 and have 7 channels.Well designed and simple to use, pmt have never failed to deliver in the 20 or so years ive been using them. My 1st choice for music products. Boss is a reliable brand . The 202 looper is ideal to make beats fast.Im particularly impressed with the " guitar to bass effect, which simply turns your guitar in to a bass guitar, but even more impressive that that, it turns your vocal into a bass guitar!Brilliant fun and extremely useful.Very happy customer 😁.Ps the sound quality is brilliant. Especially when using a DAW and playing vst instruments directly through the 202 looper. Hook up a midi keyboard and build a track in minuets using real instrument sounds.Impressive stuff from boss 👌🏼

Review of BOSS RC-202 Loop Station

Wasn't too sure I'd get on with this, but wanted to sample my inept bass guitar work to incorporate into an electronic set up (synths, drum machines, samplers etc). Have to say it took a bit of getting used to but it works a treat. Very forgiving with the start/stop timing for the sampling which is synced to external tempo, pretty much spot on timing every time. Lots of fun to play with.

Very comprehensive little unit

I am pretty new to the looping game so I am still learning to navigate the expansive menus - adjusting multiple parameters, individual levels, printed effects and post effects, etc. It's sturdy, has a nice weight to it, feels like a more expensive piece of gear. So far I have only used it to build loops from melodic samples (vs. creating from voice & keys for example) so I've yet to deep dive - but it's a Boss (Roland) and their quality is legendary.