Boss RE-202 Space Echo

The Magic of Tape Echo

The tape echo was the first delay effect and one of the earliest effect processors for electronic musicians. Unlike today’s CPU-based tape echoes, it’s a relatively simple device that uses a motor to pull tape over one or more record and playback heads. The warm, full, and dynamic tape echo sound is influenced by many factors. The constantly varying input level changes the amount of tape saturation and compression continuously. Additionally, fluctuations in motor speed, friction, wow, flutter, and other elements create an interesting and subtle modulated sound character that never sounds the same twice.

RE-201 Space Echo: Simply Legendary

The RE-201 was a milestone for Roland and one of the best tape echoes of its time. It featured three equally spaced playback heads that delivered a wide variety of echo effects. It also had an innovative free-running tape system that offered top-notch performance with minimal tape wear. The controls allowed quick access to clean single delays or different head combinations for dense, rhythmic echo effects. With the integrated spring reverb tank, the RE-201 also provided high-quality ambience effects. The final key ingredient for the Space Echo’s sonic variety was the analog preamp circuit.

The Rebirth of a Masterpiece

The RE-202 is the result of cutting-edge technology combined with a thorough analysis of several vintage RE-201 units, including an original from the BOSS and Roland archives. This way, the RE-202 brings the genuine Space Echo experience back to life in a flexible, modern pedal.

BOSS has previously captured the sound and essential characteristics of the Space Echo close to the original. With new technological advances, we have now gone even deeper into the sonic magic. Our developers have faithfully recreated the complex, nonlinear behavior of the RE-201 that contributed directly to its legendary status, capturing every detail. All factors influencing the sound were meticulously studied and reproduced with entirely new algorithms—including tape transport, record/playback mechanism, motor speed variations, preamp coloring, tape wear, spring reverb character, and much more.

Retro Sound You Can Feel

The RE-202 delivers the full vintage vibe of the RE-201—without the need to swap tape or maintain hardware as regularly required by the original. The core controls from the original were retained, including the iconic 12-mode selector switch. Every behavior is recreated with the highest level of detail, such as the gradual pitch change when turning the Repeat Rate knob or the fantastic, uncontrolled feedback when the Intensity knob is turned all the way up.

With the adjustable tape age and various controls, you can create a wide range of sounds—from a brand-new Space Echo to the typical tone of a worn vintage unit with all its beloved quirks. The saturation control is calibrated based on the actual tape and preamp behavior of the RE-201. The more you turn it up, the warmer and more compressed the sound becomes. Additionally, the Wow & Flutter control lets you add all the natural modulations essential to the original Space Echo sound.

Expanded Sound

The RE-202 includes numerous new features to tailor the Space Echo to the needs of modern musicians. Besides doubling the delay time, the pedal features a fourth virtual playback head, enabling five additional sound combinations. There’s even an echo type where the spacing between heads changes—an effect impossible with the original hardware. Unlike the RE-201, the RE-202 offers true stereo inputs and outputs and switchable modes for guitar or line-level devices. For the dry sound, you can choose between the warm, fat RE-201 preamp or a clean signal with no processing.

The RE-202 provides a stereo version of the original RE-201 spring reverb. Even more flexibility comes with the Hall, Plate, Room, and Ambience modes. Plus, you can use expressive Warp and Twist effects to elevate your sound into new sonic realms with just a footswitch click.

Modern Control

The heart of the RE-202 beats in vintage rhythm while offering all the features you expect from a modern delay pedal. Besides four built-in memory slots for saving and recalling your favorite sounds, you can access 123 additional slots via MIDI Program Change. Tap tempo is included, as is adjustable carryover behavior when switching memory slots. For parallel effect setups and studio use, you can even mute the dry signal completely. Extensive control options are available via external footswitches, an expression pedal, and MIDI—including simultaneous real-time control of multiple parameters.