Photo of Roland RE-201 Space Echo and more gear in a guitar and amplifier

Photo of Roland RE-201 Space Echo in a pedalboard, studio, and signal chain

Roland RE-201 Space Echo

^# 9

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$1,100.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (58)

7 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Boss RE-20 Space Echo

$323.87 - $555.28

4.5 (192)

Find out who is using Roland RE-201

10 community setups

168 wishlisted

289 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (17)

$1,100.00 42 available Used

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Average Price: $1,100

High-end/Boutique

$100

$501+

Price Tier

In the Effects Processors category, Roland RE-201 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 your creativity with the Roland RE-201 Space Echo, an iconic symbol of vintage analog echo. Loved by musicians worldwide since the 70s, this unit goes beyond a simple echo effect, presenting you with a built-in spring reverb tank to explore your sound universe. Its 11 different repeat modes and a dedicated reverb-only mode are sure to suit any of your creative needs. The RE-201 is designed to provide comprehensive control over your sound, offering wet/dry mix for echo and reverb, bass and treble EQ knobs, as well as repeat rate and intensity control. Multiple inputs and outputs make this unit a versatile addition to any studio setup. Experience the warmth of analog sound with the legendary Roland RE-201 Space Echo.

Key Features:

Built-in spring reverb tank
11 different repeat modes and a dedicated reverb-only mode
Comprehensive control with wet/dry mix for echo and reverb, bass and treble EQ knobs, repeat rate, and intensity
Multiple inputs: Two mic inputs with volume knobs, one instrument input with volume knob
Multiple outputs: Dry and effected output jacks

Product specs

Brand	Roland
Model	RE-201 Space Echo Tape Delay / Reverb
Finish	Black
Year	1970s
Made In	Japan
Categories	Delay Pedals

FAQs

What kind of delay effect does the Roland RE-201 Space Echo produce?: The Roland RE-201 Space Echo produces a distinctive multi-head tape delay effect, offering rich and immersive sound textures that have been a staple in music production since the 1970s.
How does the Roland RE-201 Space Echo control echo and reverb?: The RE-201 Space Echo uses a rotary knob to control the combination of tape heads, allowing users to adjust the number of echo repeats, echo length, and the balance between echo and reverb sounds.
What are the key features of the Roland RE-201 Space Echo?: Key features of the RE-201 include its analog tape delay, three playback heads, adjustable bass and treble levels, and the ability to create unique echo and reverb combinations, making it a versatile tool for sound design.
Is the Roland RE-201 Space Echo suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Roland RE-201 Space Echo is suitable for live performances, providing performers with a warm, vintage delay effect that enhances stage presence and sound dynamics.
Can the Roland RE-201 Space Echo be used in modern recording studios?: Absolutely, the Roland RE-201 Space Echo remains a popular choice in modern studios for its classic tape delay sound, adding depth and character to recordings across various music genres.

Videos

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rmoni01

Roland Space Echo - RE - 201

rmoni01

Roland Space Echo RE-201

Pete Farrugia Guitar Teacher

Roland RE-201 Space Echo

SynthMania

Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape echo/reverb

Perfect Circuit

Roland Space Echo RE-201 and Juno 106

Oscillate Music

Roland RE-201 Space Echo

Guitarsenal

ROLAND RE-201 SPACE ECHO ANALOG TAPE DELAY & SPRING REVERB

The Pedal Picassos

Synthesizer Test Drive: Roland RE-201 Space Echo

Syntaur

Reviews

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PROS

Delivers unparalleled analog sound with true tape echo
Enhances tracks with unique, magical delays unreplicable by plugins or pedals
Offers both slap-back echo and longer, warbling echo trails
Non-aggressive, musically pleasing feedback sound
Durable and has maintained quality over decades
Integral to the musical landscape of the 70s, 80s, and 90s
Versatile use for vocals and instruments like bass

CONS

Spring reverb quality not up to par with its delay
Lacks features like cv port, sound on sound, and chorus (compared to RE-301)
High maintenance cost
Some find alternatives like Multivox more reliable for touring

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland RE-201 Space Echo.

Use cases and applications

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The RE-201 is particularly praised for its unique sound with synths, vocals, and drum machines, offering a distinctive organic inconsistency.
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Despite being a robust unit, its fragility in transit suggests it's better suited for studio use rather than live gigs.
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Owners find the RE-201 less suited for guitar due to its tendency to reduce brightness, with pedals often providing a more guitar-friendly calibration.
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Owners recommend the Space Echo mainly for studio use, due to its maintenance-heavy nature and potential failures when gigging.
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Value and pricing

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Collectible value is significant, but maintenance costs and availability of parts can be prohibitive for frequent use.
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Recent transactions indicate that well-maintained RE-201 units are valued around $1,600 to $2,000, with $1,800 being a reasonable price for a studio-owned piece.
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Despite maintenance issues, it's noted that the Space Echo's value is unlikely to decrease, making it a potential investment.
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User experience

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Owners find the combination of preamp, tape, and reverb tank makes the sound unparalleled, especially in recording settings.
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Many owners find the RE-201 inspiring for studio work but cumbersome for live settings due to its size and fragility.
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Features and functionality

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Allows mode changes during playback for unique effects, unlike some replicas where mode switching cuts the sound.
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The RE-201 offers sound-on-sound capabilities and can produce artifacts when splice tape is used, adding versatility for creative studio work.
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Setup and maintenance

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Pinch roller hardening and tape head wear are common issues; spares are rare, necessitating careful handling and maintenance.
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Regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial; frequent head cleaning with 90% alcohol and Q-tips is necessary as tape ages and degrades.
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Some power transformers on the RE-201 units are rated for 100V, others for 120V; buyers should verify compatibility with local power sources to avoid damage.
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Comparisons

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The Echofix kit is highly recommended by owners for maintaining RE-201 units in top condition, significantly improving reliability and performance.
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The UAD Space Echo plugin offers comparable sound quality at a fraction of the cost and maintenance, though it requires constant internet connection due to iLok.
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The RE-202, El Capistan, and Belle Epoch are highlighted as modern alternatives that capture much of the Space Echo’s essence with less hassle.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 58 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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synthee

449

about 4 years ago

Very good sound

Very good sound in this one, it gives that true analog sound with tape.

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Pop Orchestra

xaqary

5455

over 9 years ago

Mutivox Tape Echo kills, this guy is ok.

I started with tape echo with this guy-Then my tech turned me on to the Multivox. Now I've got 2 of those juuust in case one has issues on the road. The Roland just can't match up, but it still can be fun...provided you have the Multivox as well ideally.

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago over 9 years ago

yeah. the multivoxes sound good if they're well serviced.... the old Korg tape echoes also sound better than the space/chorus echo, athough the chorus echo has that great Juno chorus, but otherwise there are so many cheaper units than the roland ones that perform better, but for some reason the Roland's get all the press

xaqary

5455

9 years ago over 9 years ago

Yeah, that's likely why my review of the Roland was fairly salty. Unfair maybe to the Roland maybe but with good intentions-go check out more stuff off the WELL worn paths! dig deeper- loads of fun and underused jems to be found. Holds for all gear.

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago over 9 years ago

you are very wise in the ways of tone, sir

xaqary

5455

9 years ago over 9 years ago

You are as well & clearly a kindred spirt. I dig it. Thanks for the kind words & expansion on my ramblings.

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago over 9 years ago

I love equipment and instruments almost as much as I love playing music. You shuld check out our forum.... it has its ups and downs, but its a cool place when only the grownups are talking.

xaqary

5455

9 years ago over 9 years ago

Kindred indeed. I'll definitely check out the forum I'm just getting started & good lord the scale of adding all my gear-well be awesome to cruise around and take a break from that sounds like fun. I mentioned it in another reply but is there a private message service on here? Been a few times I've had cool details/etc. to add on gear that I feel wouldn't be...cool to discuss things that involve other acquaintances & friends-particularly if they're "public" people (talent, builders, particular studios, anyone well known basically).

xaqary

5455

9 years ago over 9 years ago

In a place anyone can read it...

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago over 9 years ago

nah, we don't do private messages, which actually pisses me off.... I wind up having to resort to email or texting when I trade gear with other members

ppoolboy

1931

almost 10 years ago

simply amazing

basically my life blood at this point, although i only picked this buddy up a while ago, it's become one of the main staples in my studio. My only complaint would be how expensive these are to maintain.

jimmarchi1

41029

10 years ago almost 10 years ago

I possessed a chorus-echo for many years, loved it but not worth the hassle

martijn_naber

812

over 9 years ago

Putting CLASS back into Classic

I can't really say anything about this beast that hasn't been said a million times already. The musical landscape of the 70's, 80's and 90's would have been completely different if the RE-201 hadn't existed. I recommend everyone to buy one if you have the chance.

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Pop Electropop

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