This looper pedal from Boss is a very versatile tool. As well as having the features of a traditional looper pedal, it also offers a number of additional features, which include:
- Drum Machine
- Individual loop control feature for verse/chorus structure
- Individual loop length definition
- Built-in effects
- MIDI control feature that allows for control of looper pedal from a separate MIDI controller
- Instrument and XLR Microphone inputs
- Individual loop volume controls
- Reassignment of switch control functions
- External pedal input for additional control
(BOSSchannel, 2020)
I started to use the Boss RC-500 in February 2026 with the intention of using it in a fairly large way in my performance, but since being exposed to the other technological possibilities, it will be used in a smaller way. However, it will still be used in the live performance.
One of the things that I wanted to be able to gain a greater understanding of was the MIDI control feature of the Boss RC-500. I have a small AKAI LPD8 MIDI controller, which would be ideal in a live environment due to its compact size.
I programmed the LPD8 so that it would send MIDI control messages to the Boss RC-500 as follows:-
The Boss RC-500 has 8 assignable midi control slots per memory. It's important to remenber to save the memory settings once they have been programmed and copy them to another memory location.
I wanted to use the MIDI controller to control the following functiuons:-
- Rhythm start / stop
- Reverse Track 1
- FX Track 1
- Reverse Track 2
- FX Track 2
- Volume Track 1
- Volume Track 2
The values for each "Assign" location on the Boss RC-500 are as follows:-
ASSIGN STATUS SOURCE MODE TARGET T MIN T-MAX
ASSIGN1 ON CC#1 MOMENT RHYTHM PLAY --- ---
ASSIGN2 ON CC#2 MOMENT T1 REVERSE OFF ON
ASSIGN3 ON CC#3 MOMENT T1 FX OFF ON
ASSIGN4 ON CC#4 MOMENT T1 LEVEL 0 200
ASSIGN5 ON CC#5 MOMENT RHYTHM STOP --- ---
ASSIGN6 ON CC#6 MOMENT T2 REVERSE OFF ON
ASSIGN7 ON CC#7 MOMENT T2 FX OFF ON
ASSIGN8 ON CC#8 MOMENT T2 LEVEL 0 200
After a great deal of trial and error, I have managed to get the MIDI controller to run the functionality that I need. However, I am having to route the USB from the MIDI controller to a MIDI host and then use a MIDI out cable from the MIDI host to the MIDI input of the Boss RC-500.
I am aiming to use the Boss RC-500 as part of my live Open Mic performances and now have a fairly good understanding of the functionality. It's a very versatile tool but as with any new piece of equipment, requires a lot of practice and the majority of my time has been spent on acquainting myself with the functionality within Ableton Live.
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