Boss RE-202 Space Echo
- Effects Pedal for Electric Guitar
- Space Echo Tape-Delay & Spring Reverb
- 12 Delay/Reverb Modes
- 127 Program Memories
Boss RE-202 Space Echo Review
The BOSS RE-202 Space Echo effects pedal faithfully delivers the authentic sound and behavior of the legendary Roland RE-201 Space Echo, all in a refined delay pedal with modern features.
Launched in 1974 and produced for more than 14 years, the Roland RE-201 Space Echo became famous for its unique rhythmic echo effects, warm tone, and highly playable sonic quirks. First released in 1974, the Roland RE-201 Space Echo remains one of the most iconic and sought-after effects units ever made.
Built by the same company that created the original, the RE-202 captures the magic with flawless recreations of everything that shaped the RE-201’s sound—including the tape path, record/playback mechanism, motor variations, preamp coloration, tape age, spring reverb character, and more—plus a host of brand-new algorithms.
Boss Space Echo History
The RE-201 was a benchmark Roland product and one of the leading tape echo models of its era. It featured three evenly spaced heads, offering a wider range of echo effects than typical single-head designs, plus a modern free-running tape system that delivered superior performance with minimal tape wear.
Easy-to-use controls allowed quick access to clean, single delays or various head combinations for dense, rhythmic echoes. A spring reverb tank was also included, making the RE-201 a one-stop shop for high-quality ambiance effects. Lastly, the analog preamp circuitry was another key ingredient in the Space Echo’s rich sonic formula.
Created using the latest technology and extensive analysis of several vintage RE-201s—including a pristine original unit from the BOSS and Roland factory archives—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 developments have allowed us to go much deeper than ever before. With the RE-202, engineers have fully reproduced all the complex, non-linear behaviors that contribute to the RE-201’s legendary character.
Everything that influences the sound was carefully examined and recreated with brand-new algorithms, including the tape path, record/playback mechanism, motor variations, preamp coloration, tape age, spring reverb character, and much more.
Boss RE-202 Space Echo Sound
Tape echo was the primary delay effect and one of the first effect processors available to electronic musicians. Unlike today’s CPU-based digital models, a tape echo is a simple device that uses a motor to pull magnetic tape across several record and playback heads. Warm, full, and dynamic, the tape echo sound is shaped by many factors.
The ever-changing input stage 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 is subtle and constantly evolving.
The RE-202 delivers the complete classic vibe of the RE-201 without the need for regular tape replacement or hardware maintenance. All the core controls of the original are here, including the iconic 12-position mode selector. Every behavior is replicated with full accuracy, such as the gradual pitch shift when you adjust the Repeat Rate knob, or the runaway feedback that happens when the Intensity knob is turned up.
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 unit. The Saturation control has been carefully calibrated based on the exact 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 and Flutter control, you can conjure all the natural modulation characteristics that are essential to the Space Echo sound.
Boss RE-202 Sonic Enhancements and Features
The RE-202 comes packed with new features that bring the classic Space Echo into the modern era for today’s musicians. It offers twice the delay time of the original and adds a fourth digital tape head, unlocking five extra sound combinations.
There’s also a new echo type that lets you change the space between the tape heads—something you couldn’t do with the original. Unlike the mono RE-201, the RE-202 provides true stereo input and output and allows you to select between guitar or line-level operation. For your dry signal, you can choose between the classic warm, fat RE-201 preamp tone or a clean, unprocessed sound.
It also includes a stereo version of the original RE-201 spring reverb, plus hall, plate, room, and ambience reverb types for even more versatility. Expressive Warp and Twist effects are available as well, letting you launch your sound into outer space with a simple press of a footswitch while you play.
The RE-202 runs extremely quietly. Device noise is a real annoyance, so we appreciate being able to set the RE-202 to always be on, adding space and roominess to your sound. Setting this up is super simple, and having three different presets accessible at the touch of a button is very handy. The knobs are large and easy to use, but the text is small—so it helps to memorize what each control does. There’s also a tap tempo switch, which is always a useful feature for any delay pedal.
The On/Off switch, Preset switch, and Tap Tempo switch each have a secondary function when you press and hold them. Holding down On/Off activates Warp mode and keeps it on as long as you hold the button, creating longer reverbs the longer you hold it.
The Preset button lets you choose whether the reverb is active when the echo is on, and holding Tap Tempo activates Twist mode, which adds a kind of rotating oscillation to your sound. While the labels could be clearer, they’re not entirely useless.
You can also connect an expression pedal or remote switch to the unit. The MIDI connections use 1/8-inch jacks, but MIDI cables aren’t included. The RE-202 comes with its own wall-wart style power supply. There’s also a USB-C port, but it’s only for updating the device’s firmware.
Boss RE-202 Space Echo Control
To build on its classic heart and soul, the RE-202 includes all the modern features you’d expect from a sophisticated delay pedal. There are four onboard memories for saving and recalling your favorite sounds, plus 123 additional memories accessible via MIDI program change.
Tap tempo is also available, along with selectable delay carryover when switching between presets. You can mute the dry signal for parallel effects setups and studio use. Expanded control is provided through external footswitches, an expression pedal, and MIDI, allowing real-time operation of multiple parameters at once.
- 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 types
- 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
- Four onboard memories plus the current panel settings
- Save and select 127 memories via external MIDI program change
- Tap tempo and carryover functions
- Expandable control via external footswitches, an expression pedal, or MIDI
- True stereo input and output
Why You Need the Boss RE-202 Space Echo
For many electric and acoustic guitar players, the compact Boss RE-2 Space Echo offers plenty of features and great sound. However, if you’re looking for more—such as MIDI connectivity, real-time control, and a wider range of tones—the Boss RE-202 Space Echo might be the better choice. The RE-202 also comes with a Saturation knob, allowing you to fine-tune the classic Space Echo harmonics, distortion, and compression.
There are quite a few different tape echo emulation pedals available, and while some, like the Wampler Tape Echo, offer good value for the money, we don’t think they’re quite comparable. At its price point, the Boss RE-202 stands out as the clear winner for us.
Conclusion
Get your hands on this new pedal that will instantly remind you of the original units from Boss and Roland. You can’t go wrong with it—the sound is truly original and unique. You’ll be mesmerized and transported right back to the ’80s, when this pedal was incredibly popular!
We highly recommend it if you’re looking for both tape delay and reverb in one pedal. For the price, it’s a fantastic choice for both live performances and studio sessions.
If you have any questions about this amazing pedal, please let us know in the comments below, or reach out to the developer for more detailed answers.
