Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $1,710
High-end/Boutique
$100
$501+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Step back in time with the Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo, a distinguished member of Roland's legendary RE series. Known for its tape delay technology, this effects processor brings warm, rich echoes to your studio or live setup. The RE-501 is celebrated for its ability to produce lush, ethereal soundscapes thanks to its combination of tape echo, chorus, and reverb. Musicians and producers alike revere its reliability and smooth, organic sound.
This unit features three independent effect sections: tape echo, reverb, and chorus, which can be used simultaneously or independently for versatile sound shaping. Its built-in compressor helps ensure consistent echo levels, making the RE-501 a reliable choice for professional audio production. With an easy-to-use interface, this effects processor is designed to facilitate creativity without the hassle of complex operation.
The BBD chorus circuit in the RE-501 is a standout feature, offering a lush, musical modulation that enhances your sound without overpowering it. This processor is perfect for those who crave the nostalgic warmth of analog effects, yet appreciate the modern conveniences of a stable and durable unit.
Key Features:
- Tape echo with variable delay times
- Built-in BBD chorus and spring reverb
- Independent effect sections for flexible sound processing
- Integrated compressor for consistent echo levels
- Durable construction for long-term use
- Easy-to-use interface for quick adjustments
- Ideal for both studio and live environments
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | RE-501 Chorus Echo |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1980s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Delay Pedals |
FAQs
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What are the main features of the Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo?
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The Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo offers a tape-based delay with chorus and reverb effects, known for its warm, rich sound. It includes a noise reduction system, four playback heads for varied tonal options, and a built-in analog chorus.
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How does the Roland RE-501 differ from the RE-301?
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The RE-501 includes an additional playback head for more tonal variety, features improved noise reduction, and offers a quieter operation compared to the RE-301.
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Is the Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo suitable for studio use?
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Yes, the Roland RE-501 is highly regarded for studio use due to its high-quality tape echo, chorus, and reverb effects, along with its noise reduction capabilities, making it ideal for professional recording environments.
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Can the Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo be used for live performances?
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While primarily designed for studio use, the Roland RE-501 can be used in live settings, offering reliable and rich echo effects. However, its vintage design may require careful handling and setup.
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What type of maintenance does the Roland RE-501 require?
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Regular maintenance for the Roland RE-501 includes cleaning and demagnetizing the tape heads, replacing the tape loop as needed, and ensuring the unit is kept in a stable environment to prevent wear.
Videos
Doctor Mix
Roland RE-501 Tape Delay In Action
Reviews
PROS
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Classic tape echo sound unmatched by digital emulators
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Balanced in-and-outputs ensure clean signal for studio use
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Vintage gear with unique sound characteristics
CONS
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Prone to technical issues, including sound drop and 'hitch' like break up
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High asking price not justified for everyone
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Can be considered more of a vanity piece than a necessity
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo.
Features and functionality
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The RE-501 is noted for its hi-fi sound and lower noise floor compared to the RE-201, with a surprisingly good chorus effect and underwhelming reverb.
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The chorus on the RE-501 in mono is described as pitchy and less effective than a CE2, with limited control over speed adjustments.
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Owners report that the spring reverb on the RE-501 is just passable compared to a Fender amp but can be enhanced using its tone controls.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners find the RE-501 suitable for reamping vocals and drums, while the RE-201 is preferred for guitars due to its warm, lo-fi repeats.
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User experience
Comparisons
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The RE-501 and RE-201 are similar, but the RE-501 offers cleaner sound and additional features like chorus, making it distinct enough to justify owning both.
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Users suggest that the Duncan Vaportrail pedal captures the RE-501's vibe, offering a warm sound with subtle modulation similar to BBD delays.
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The preamp stage in old Roland effects significantly colors the signal, a feature often missing in modern digital emulations, affecting their authenticity.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 17 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
The Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo can be identified on a stack behind John Frusciante in the image provided.
In this photo of Kevin's makeshift studio from the InnerSpeaker recording sessions, a Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo can be seen on the desk.
In a photograph from Polymathperspective, Damon Albarn is shown with a Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo on his shelf, indicating its presence in his studio setup.
Above & Beyond have incorporated the Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo into their setup, as showcased in their Instagram post captioned, "What plugins should look like."
In the photo "Studio A.." the RE-501 Chorus Echo is shown on top of the middle rackmount in Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) studio April Base
In the source image, Nils Frahm's Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo is visible atop a Juno 60 keyboard, indicating its use in his setup.
A FOH stage hand sent out a couple pictures of Chris Stapleton's live rig on May 27, 2016 in Simpsonville, SC at the Charter Spectrum Amphitheatre. The stage setup clearly matches the setup seen in various videos around the web from early-2016 shows. The Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo can be seen clearly on top of Chris' rack setup.
In this photo taken from an xlr8r article, you can see John Hopkin's Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo.
Again you can see the thru the whole video but you can clearly see it at 1:28 in the attached video.
Used for the lead vocals on "Angel Dance", as stated by tracking and mixing engineer in this Mike Poole in this December 2010 Sound on Sound article.
Vocals: Urei 1178, API 550, LT Sound CLX, Roland SRV2000 & RE501, AMS RMX16, TC Electronic D•Two.
"I had the Urei 1178 compressor and the API 550 EQ on Robert's vocal, along with a parallel channel that was even more compressed. So any time he hit a low note that sounded a little muddy and needed some more clarity, I pushed up the parallel channel. There's also an effects send channel with the LT Sound CLX on it, which is a Dbx VCA compressor with a good de?esser in it, and that was used as the send to any effects devices. As a side note, all the little slices you see on the screenshot were not performance edits, but mostly me trying to get the sibilance right. I often take out little clicks and pops and also 'esses' or 'effs' out manually. A de?esser will hit everything in a technical?sounding way, and sometimes you may want to retain the emotive way a certain 'ess' or 'eff' is expressed, but only precisely change the gain, just to correct recording artifacts. 'Angel Dance' is one of the few tracks on which Robert's scratch [tracking] vocal didn't make up the largest component of the final vocal track. On this song, he re?sang the vocals later, and I think he did two passes and we used mostly one, with a few lines from the other pass thrown in. For reverb on his vocals, I used the SRV2000 long reverb and a little bit of RMX16; for delay, either the D•Two or an RE501. I used very little reverb on the tracks on the album in general, apart from on Robert's vocals and the backing vocals. The other ambience you hear may have been a long delay from the 501 or PCM42 or any of the room mics.”
Album Usage
The Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo has been featured on the following albums:
Funeral for Justice (Injustice Version)
Mdou Moctar (2025)
Oh France
Mdou Moctar (2024)
Funeral for Justice
Mdou Moctar (2024)
血まみれのアンヌ
Masonna (2023)
Rolling in the Deep
Adele (2011)
InnerSpeaker
Tame Impala & Kevin Parker (2010)
The Fall
Norah Jones (2009)
Forth
The Verve (2008)
Songs of Faith and Devotion (Deluxe)
Depeche Mode (1993)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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According to Roland: "The RE-501/SRE-555 were essentially the exact same machine, but built into two different form factors; the RE-501 keeping the classic tolex-covered wooden box of the Space Echo machines before it, whilst the SRE-555 took the form of a large 19” rackmountable chassis."
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