Boss RC-600 Loop Station

I've owned the RC600 for about a month now, so I've had a good chance to get used to it.

First off, I'm extremely happy with it! My set up is
TC Electronic Polytune -> Crybaby Wah -> Helix HX Effects -> RC600 (with Boss FS7 as a Ctrl 1+2)

Plugged into it I have 1 vocal mic, 1 acoustic or electric and 1 cajon.

All of this is powered by a single Cioks DC7. I'm using the Cioks 8800 Parallel Adapter Flex with a Cioks 1050 Flex Cable Type 1 to get to the milliamps needed. Powering up, it can get to about 70% load on the milliamps, so it's perfectly safe with that.

The routing is a godsend. I've got the main output set to the vocal track. The guitar on sub 1, the cajon on sub 2 and the click track on the phones out. All isolated outputs. So this is great if you're needing to mix your sound to the venue on the fly, record to multi track, or hand individual instrument outs to a sound guy.

I only need 4 tracks, so I've re-assigned the track select and undo buttons to be track 4 record/play and stop. The RC600 is very customisable. You can assign any function to any pedal.

However, the one and only critisism I have for it is the lack of scribble strips. I ended up having to put tape over it to write on what I've changed the 2 pedal functions to. I also put tape on the middle track as that's where I put my drum track. It would have been much easier to type the names of each pedal assignment on a scribble strip.

The size is much better. I never needed the expression pedal, so I'm glad that's gone. I much prefer the setup of having the option, rather than forcing it on you.

I use the Helix for my effects, so I haven't tried the RC600 effects.

The menu is a lot easier to navigate. Everything is laid out a lot more intuitively. The rhythm track is accessable in 2 clicks.Tempo in 1 click. You can get to the measures quickly and cycle through each of the 6 tracks easily for each individual track's settings/recording options. The ability to only record what input you want to a certain track keeps your mix clean and reduces the chance of mic feedback. It saves you needing to have a mic with a mute switch too.

The track bouncing is a great feature for streamlining performances. I've laid down the drum beat on track 2, recorded a verse on track 1 and then a chorus on track 3 all while bouncing the drum track to both 1 and 3 so that I don't have to start multiple tracks when needing to start/stop sections.

All in all, I'd highly recommend it for any looping artist.

Oh how i miss the days of the RC 505 mk i, when looping was simple and effective...

Although this machine is probably 2 times the value of the OG 505 MKi in terms of routing and possibilities (i/O, soundcard mode, integrated EFX, 32 bit audio, USB, 6 tracks, assignability - basically an all in one mini studio looper) it's also at least a 1/2 of value in it's simplicity when used for playing, sketching ideas and fast paced looping. It also excerts the inherent flaw with it's upgraded design - less simplicity.

There is littlee improvement in using the unit, even a downgrading, from the og 505. The sound is also not so much better as BOSS likes to advertise it. If at all - it LACKS the punchiness of the 16 bit processor! Levels are bouncing all the time while recording and playing tracks. Not a good experience at all.

In addition, the "Loop sync OFF" function and the "sound drifting" are still not adressed in the recent updates by BOSS!

All in all, RC 600 makes a package of enormous value, but simultaneously delivers the qirks that come with complex systems. Those are: Additional
1. Learning
2. Planning
3. Memorising

All wich come at the expense of time, wich in return could be a better investment when creating a new song/loop.

I'm more inclined to be focused on playing than programming my hardware. After this experience, revisiting a digital DAW doesn't look as half as bad. I also posess the RC-500 and altough i'm happy enough with it to keep it, it's also one step above the upper margin of firmware complexity in wich I'm willing to engage while looping with hardware. I also hope that BOSS adresses the above mentioned issues of the RC 600 on the RC 500, wich are similar, if not the same.

EFX are ok, but nothing to write home about. The stacking sounds wierd with Preamp/dist, and alters the levels significantly, wich have to be controlled from a different menu if you don't assign them beforehand. With 32 bit there's a LOT of headroom, so your audio levels can get nasty FAST if you are not careful and haven't premeditated everything. And in the next moment you are pushing your main out form 100 to 15 and everything is still loud. Basically what you need is a lot of time to put everything at it's best.

Is it worth it? Maybe. Yes if you are a fan of customizing and planning all out befdore the gig. Otherwise - no.

BUT, be ready for GRUELING customisation and constant alertness of the unit's behaviour, wich, without extensive learning, could result in more frustration than playing. To me, along with the ,mentioned bugs, that was the deal braker and the reason the unit was sent back the same day.

Too bad, this could have been a hit out of the park!

Cheers!