BOSS RE-202 Space Echo
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RE-202 Space Echo
Digital Delay
The legendary Roland RE-201
Space Echo experience returns in an advanced delay pedal with modern features.
A Masterpiece Returns in the Modern Era
Introduced
in 1974, the Roland RE-201 Space Echo stands among the most legendary and
sought-after effect units ever produced. This tape-based classic remained in
production for over 14 straight years, and its distinctive rhythmic echo
sounds, warm character, and highly playable sonic quirks still inspire
musicians, producers, and audio mixers over four decades on.
Backed
by intensive R&D and our latest innovations, the RE-202 faithfully delivers
the authentic sound and behavior of the Space Echo like never before. Built by
the company that designed the original, this advanced pedal captures the
RE-201’s magic in flawless detail, from the magnetic tape and motor properties
to the vibrant spring reverb and colorful preamp circuit. And to take things
even further, we’ve expanded the vintage Space Echo experience with lots of new
features tuned for today’s music.
·
Authentically
recreates the sound and behavior of the legendary Roland RE-201 Space Echo
·
Classic multi-head
tape echo sound with expanded delay time
·
Original
three-head configuration plus additional tape head for 12 unique echo combinations
·
Independent stereo
reverb section with original spring reverb type plus hall, plate, room, and
ambience
·
Saturation
control for adding magnetic tape compression and preamp coloration
·
Wow & Flutter
control for introducing varying levels of natural tape modulation
·
Choose between
new and aged tape conditions
·
Selectable input
modes for optimum performance with instruments and line-level gear
·
Warp and Twist
effects with footswitch control
·
Select between the
unprocessed analog dry signal or the modeled sound of the original Space Echo
preamp
·
Four onboard
memories plus the current panel settings
·
Save and select
127 memories via external MIDI program change
·
Tap tempo and carryover
functions
·
True stereo input
and output
·
Expandable
control via external footswitches, an expression pedal, or MIDI
Tape Echo Magic
Tape
echo was the first delay effect and one of the first effect processors
available for electronic musicians. In contrast with today’s CPU-based digital
units, a tape echo is a simple machine that uses a motor to pull magnetic tape across
one or more record/playback heads. Warm, full, and dynamic, the tape echo sound
is influenced by many factors. The ever-changing input level colors the sound
with varying amounts of tape saturation and compression. In addition, motor speed
fluctuations, friction, wow and flutter, and other elements introduce an
appealing modulated character that’s subtle and continually evolving.
RE-201 Space Echo: Simply Legendary
The
RE-201 was a benchmark Roland product and one of the leading tape echo units of
its era. It featured three evenly spaced heads that produced a wider range of
echo effects than typical single-head designs, plus an innovative free-running
tape system that provided superior performance with minimal tape wear. Grab-and-go
controls enabled quick access to clean, single delays or various head
combinations for dense, rhythmic echoes. A spring reverb tank was included too,
making the RE-201 a one-stop shop for quality ambience effects. Last but not
least, analog preamp circuitry was another key ingredient in the Space Echo’s rich
sonic recipe.
A
Masterpiece Reborn
Realized
through the latest technologies and exhaustive analysis of several vintage
RE-201s—including a pristine original unit from the BOSS and Roland factory
archive—the RE-202 brings the complete Space Echo experience to life in a versatile
modern pedal.
While
previous BOSS designs captured the true sonic flavor and essential characteristics
of the Space Echo, new advancements have allowed us to go much deeper than ever
before. With the RE-202, our engineers have fully reproduced all the complex,
non-linear behaviors that contribute to the RE-201’s immortal character. Everything
that influences the sound was carefully examined and recreated with all-new
algorithms, including the tape path, record/playback mechanism, motor variations,
preamp coloration, tape age, spring reverb character, and more.
Retro
Sound at Your Fingertips
The
RE-202 delivers the full vintage vibe of the RE-201—without the need for
regular tape replacement and hardware maintenance. All the core controls of the
original are here, including the iconic 12-position mode selector. Every behavior
is replicated with complete accuracy, such as the gradual pitch change that
occurs when the Repeat Rate knob is tweaked, or the cool runaway feedback that
happens when the Intensity knob is maxed.
With
selectable tape age and variable controls, you can dial in everything from a
brand-new Space Echo to the worn character and quirks of a well-loved vintage
piece. The Saturation control has been carefully calibrated based on the actual
magnetic tape and preamp behaviors of the RE-201, with the sound becoming
warmer and more compressed as you turn up the knob. And with the expressive Wow
& Flutter control, you can conjure all the natural modulation
characteristics that are essential to the Space Echo sound.
Sonic Enhancements
The
RE-202 includes many new features that extend the Space Echo for today’s
musicians. Twice the delay time is available, along with a fourth virtual tape
head that unlocks five additional sound combinations. There’s also an echo type
that changes the distance between the heads, something not possible with the
original. In contrast with the mono RE-201, the RE-202 provides true stereo I/O
and selectable operation for guitar or line-level devices. For the dry sound, you
can choose between the warm and fat RE-201 preamp tone or a clean signal with
zero processing.
Also
included is a stereo version of the original spring reverb sound from the
RE-201, along with hall, plate, room, and ambience types for additional
versatility. Expressive Warp and Twist effects are available as well, allowing you
to launch the sound into outer space with the press of a footswitch while
performing.
Modern Control
To
complement its vintage heart and soul, the RE-202 has all the modern features
you’d expect from an advanced delay pedal. There are four onboard memories for
storing and recalling favorite sounds, and 123 more are accessible via MIDI
program change. Tap tempo is also on hand, as well as selectable delay carryover
when switching memories. It’s also possible to mute the dry signal for parallel
effect setups and studio usage. Expanded control is available via external
footswitches, an expression pedal, and MIDI, including real-time operation of
multiple parameters at once.