BOSS RE-202 Space Echo Effect

Musicians longing for the legendary Roland RE-201 in a modern format will be delighted by the Boss RE-202 Space Echo Effect, a reimagined tape-echo effect that updates this classic with new features tailored to today's production techniques. Faithfully recreating the warm character and sonic quirks that made the original so massively popular, this new version offers a wealth of options including tape, echo, and reverb styles to provide a wealth of vintage sonic possibilities. ript>

Features at a Glance

Authentically recreates the sound and behavior of the legendary Roland RE-201 Space Echo

Classic multihead 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.

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.

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.

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.