Boss RE-202 Space Echo - Pedal of the Day

Boss RE-202 Space Echo

Posted By Pedal of the Day on Monday, October 10, 2022 in Boss, Delay / Reverb, Echo, Preamps | 0 comments



Boss RE-202 Space Echo

Jumping into a pedal like the Boss RE-202 Space Echo can be tricky – there’s so much going on, and so many sounds to discover, and so much nostalgia surrounding it, it’s a little daunting, to say the least. What we will say right off the bat is that IT IS INCREDIBLE. Ridiculously emulating the classic RE-201 Space Echo, this model brings all of the tone, delay and reverb from the original units to the table, but without the bulkiness, unpredictability and maintenance. Our demo dives DEEEEEP into the RE-202, but here are some thoughts/specs from the Boss website to whet your palette:

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.

Boss RE-202 Space Echo 2

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

Boss RE-202 Space Echo 3

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.

Faithful recreations of classic, vintage effects are always welcomed in the pedal world, and the RE-202 Space Echo gives access to one of the most sought-after units ever to a whole new generation of sonic experimenters. The sheer amount of options and auditory flavors available here are simply astounding, and will give you days, weeks, months and years of joy, tweaking and turning every knob and discovering a multitude of sounds. Lots more information is available on the Boss website, so be sure to head over and investigate further. First, however, grab a cup of coffee and set a side 20 minutes to watch our demo video – don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube as well, cheers!

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