Photo of Boss RE-20 Space Echo and more gear in a pedalboard

Boss RE-20 Space Echo

^# 13

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$323.87 to $555.28 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (192)

18 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Boss RE-20

39 community setups

Featured in

The Best Boss Pedals: 50+ Years of Shaping Guitar Tone

297 wishlisted

711 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (59)

$555.28 1 available New

$220.69 23 available Used

View Deal

$323.87

View Deal

Average Price: $367

High-end/Boutique

$100

$251+

Price Tier

In the Delay Effects Pedals category, Boss RE-20 Space Echo is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash the power of vintage echo to your music with the Boss RE-20 Space Echo pedal. This masterpiece brings back the legendary sound of the iconic Roland RE-201 Space Echo, giving your music a nostalgic yet vibrant feel. With 11 diverse modes, it offers a broad spectrum of delay options to craft your perfect sound. Its separate reverb and echo controls allow for nuanced adjustments, while the press-and-hold function introduces a captivating fluttery warble to your tone. Whether you're a studio musician seeking that classic echo or a live performer wanting to add depth to your sound, the Boss RE-20 Space Echo pedal is your ticket to a richer, more textured musical experience.

Key Features:

Inspired by the iconic Roland RE-201 Space Echo
Offers 11 different modes for a wide range of delay options
Separate reverb and echo controls for detailed sound crafting
Press-and-hold function for adding a fluttery warble effect
Ideal for both studio and live performances

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	RE-20 Space Echo
Finish	Green
Year	2007 - 2025
Made In	Taiwan
Categories	Delay Pedals, Reverb Pedals

FAQs

What kind of delay effects can the Boss RE-20 Space Echo produce?: The Boss RE-20 Space Echo emulates the classic multi-head tape echo effects of the original Roland RE-201, offering a range of rich, vintage delay sounds with adjustable delay time and intensity.
Is the Boss RE-20 Space Echo suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Boss RE-20 Space Echo is designed for live use, featuring stereo outputs and a footswitch for hands-free control, making it ideal for dynamic sound manipulation during performances.
How does the Boss RE-20 Space Echo differ from other delay pedals?: The Boss RE-20 Space Echo stands out with its authentic tape echo emulation, spring reverb integration, and the ability to adjust tape modulation effects like Wow and Flutter, offering a unique vintage sound experience.
Can the Boss RE-20 Space Echo be powered with a standard pedal power supply?: Yes, the Boss RE-20 Space Echo requires a 9V power supply with a current draw of 75 mA, which is compatible with most standard pedal power supplies.
Does the Boss RE-20 Space Echo work well with both guitar and bass?: The Boss RE-20 Space Echo is versatile and works well with both guitar and bass, providing rich, ambient delay effects suitable for various musical styles.

Videos

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Guitar World

Boss RE-20 Roland Space Echo

Guitar World

BOSS RE-20 Space Echo [BOSS Sound Check]

BOSSchannel

Boss RE-20 Roland Space Echo RE-201

shnobel

Boss RE 20 Space Echo | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Boss Space Echo RE-20

Eric Merrow

BOSS RE-20 Space Echo In-Depth Review

audiotech vr

Boss RE-20 Space Echo Pedal | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Boss RE-20 Space Echo: initial meanderings

Pedal Experiments

Boss RE 20 Space Echo Demo & Review

The Gear Cage

Reviews

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PROS

Authentic tape delay emulation
Adds character and vintage vibe to sound
Durable and reliable build quality
Easy to use with a one-knob-per-function interface
Versatile delay and reverb options
Built-in tap tempo feature
Unique oscillation and ramp up features
Can be used with various instruments, including vocals
Inspires creativity with its sound modulation capabilities
Does not require the maintenance of an actual tape machine

CONS

Some find the reverb quality a bit artificial in certain settings
Learning curve for new users
Lacks the ability to save presets
Some may prefer the sound of actual tape machines or other emulators

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss RE-20 Space Echo.

Use cases and applications

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Increasing the intensity to create infinite repeats and manually adjusting the echo volume can produce unique, controlled soundscapes.
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Some users run multiple RE-20 units in series for various delay effects: slapback, tap tempo, and long ambient echoes.
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Features and functionality

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The RE-20 is noted for producing a unique pitch effect when changing modes while delays are feeding back, a feature missing in the RE-202.
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The RE-20's tap tempo allows for easy quarter note tapping across all modes, unlike the RE-202, which requires switching to mode 1 for the same effect.
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The RE-20's maximum delay time is 6 seconds, significantly longer than the RE-202's 2-second maximum in long mode, impacting extended ambient soundscapes.
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The RE-20 includes a preamp that emulates the original effect, always on, unlike the adjustable preamp in newer models.
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The RE-20 allows control over echo level with an expression pedal, affecting delay signal intensity without altering the dry or reverb sections.
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The RE-20, despite being an older model, was one of the first tape delay pedals to incorporate tap tempo functionality.
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The pedal's multi-head selection offers versatility with options for echo, reverb, or both simultaneously.
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Comparisons

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The RE-20 is praised for its ability to create a "modulated delay soup," with a flangey sound that subtly hangs in the background, unlike the punchier presence of the RE-202.
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Some owners prefer the RE-20's oscillation and echo sound over more modern alternatives like the Strymon Timeline due to familiarity and tonal preference.
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The RE-20 is considered a straightforward emulation of the original RE-201, while the newer RE-202 adds features like adjustable tape "age" and additional reverb types.
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User experience

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Some owners report that the RE-20's repeats have a laid-back presence, making it challenging for rhythmic delay but ideal for melding into the background with long feedback times.
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Users note that the RE-20's reverb can be underwhelming alone, but when mixed subtly with delay, it contributes positively to the overall sound.
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Owners highlight the RE-20's unique capability for creating ambient, spacious sounds, often comparing it favorably to newer models.
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Mods and upgrades

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Adding a $30 bypass loop pedal allows users to manage the RE-20's always-on master volume and potential clipping, enhancing compatibility with high-end amps.
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Setup and maintenance

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To avoid tone suck from the always-on preamp, users suggest placing the RE-20 in an effects loop using a bypass pedal.
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Value and pricing

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With the RE-20 out of production, used models range from $233 to $306, offering a more affordable alternative to the newer, pricier RE-202.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 18 Reviews and 192 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

homeinmyshoes

137

over 4 years ago

the sound in my head

The RE-20 is a very inspiring pedal. Most days I have the reverb set to minimum, the bass turned up to 3 and the treble turned down to 9 with the intensity just up to where it almost wants to self-oscillate and then play. I can turn the mode and play a chord and listen and then just go off on a new idea. Turn the mode again and it's another idea. It is the darkness you can get out of the repeats and the momentary switch gives the all the UFO effects you may want. Go the other way with it and turn the intensity down and the repeat rate up a bit and it gives a great retro slapback sound.

Apologies for the terrible playing, but nothing says what it sounds like better than just listening to it.

With an Orange Kongpressor into the dirt channel on an Orange CR35RT. Gretsch G5230T guitar.

https://soundcloud.com/homeinmyshoes/voice-054-sd?si=01e9f475e3cc4e81981b8c5e4ea49463&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist

Genres:

Indie rock Psychedelic rock

christiaan

110

over 3 years ago

Excellent

Just excellent, no complaints. Mine has had a rough life but keeps on keeping on like a champ. When it dies (will it die?) I will replace it with the re-202.

Roles:

Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Electronica Electro

andris_gabor

319

about 7 years ago

Best tap echo simulator

This Boss pedal is better than any boutique tape echo emulator. It is based on the specific model Roland RE-201. The ramp up feature is unique. Guess what this pedal is even great for vocals. Creepy dark trails it has which I love. Sci-fi soundtrack tool. Try it with a Fender Rhodes, a match made in Heaven.

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Folk, World, & Country Blues

walkidezdnet

about 6 years ago

Good sounding reverb/delay

I love the delay effect here and also the reverb is good although it might sound a bit artificial with certain settings. It was a bit confusing to learn how to use this pedal at first, but after looking up the manual (stupid me not doing it in the first place) I got it figured out.

the_last_factory

1798

almost 11 years ago

Beautiful digital emulation

I've seen a lot of my favorite artists use this as a portable substitute for their RE-201s on the road and it gets the job done. You can create the spaciest most atmospheric tone with the Roland Space Echo. It's such an amazing pedal even by itself and I highly recommend buying one for yourself if you're a fan of lush, dreamy warbley tape delay than this. Especially a tape delay with tap tempo and tape that never breaks!

benebura

342

over 10 years ago

Definitely a keeper

Bought this pedal over a year ago, still using it for recording, doing gigs or just jamming around, from reverb, slapback to oscillation this pedal can do it, although the only drawback is, it doesn't feature the ability to save preset, however the tap tempo feature in this pedal able to compensate that drawback.

daniel_franco

152

over 10 years ago

Great Digital Tape Delay Pedal

I love this pedal, it has all the features the old RE-20 had in a digital compact stompbox. Bad feature: No presets or memory. Good stuff: great, great sound, tap tempo, built as any boss: like a tank.

mattywhens

125

over 7 years ago

The one that got away

To be honest, I'm not sure why I got rid of this. I have an El Capistan now and I love it, but I think I got rid of this in the middle of a pedal existential crisis and I regret it now. Has that tasty tape sound.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Funk / Soul

dystopiansoundscapes

237

about 9 years ago

Almost like the real thing with some advantages too.

There are some settings that this can do that the real thing doesn't, and, of course, the Intensity on this is nowhere near it's analog predecessor. Obviously easier to travel with. Love them both. I also have the UAD plug-in version of the RE-201.

Roles:

Composer Music Producer Podcasters & Streamers

Genres:

Electronic Minimal techno Ambient techno