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Average Price: $1,100
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$100
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Description
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
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What kind of delay effect does the Roland RE-201 Space Echo produce?
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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.
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How does the Roland RE-201 Space Echo control echo and reverb?
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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.
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What are the key features of the Roland RE-201 Space Echo?
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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.
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Is the Roland RE-201 Space Echo suitable for live performances?
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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.
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Can the Roland RE-201 Space Echo be used in modern recording studios?
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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
rmoni01
Roland Space Echo - RE - 201
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
PROS
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Delivers unparalleled analog sound with true tape echo
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Enhances tracks with unique, magical delays unreplicable by plugins or pedals
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Offers both slap-back echo and longer, warbling echo trails
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Non-aggressive, musically pleasing feedback sound
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Durable and has maintained quality over decades
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Integral to the musical landscape of the 70s, 80s, and 90s
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Versatile use for vocals and instruments like bass
CONS
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Spring reverb quality not up to par with its delay
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Lacks features like cv port, sound on sound, and chorus (compared to RE-301)
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High maintenance cost
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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.
Source -
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.
Source
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.
Source
User experience
Features and functionality
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.
Source
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.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 7 Reviews and 58 Ratings
449
Very good sound
Very good sound in this one, it gives that true analog sound with tape.
5455
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.
41029
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
5455
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.
41029
you are very wise in the ways of tone, sir
5455
You are as well & clearly a kindred spirt. I dig it. Thanks for the kind words & expansion on my ramblings.
41029
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.
5455
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).
5455
In a place anyone can read it...
41029
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
41029
I possessed a chorus-echo for many years, loved it but not worth the hassle
812
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.
250
Echo the way it should be
This is the real tape echo thing! I use it mainly for vocals and bass, haha!
41029
yeah, I miss my chorus echo... a lot.... fun effects
Dub essential.
Wubalubadubdub Mor-teeeeeeeeeeee. -Rick
1931
Good Shit™
Artist usage
Add artist
The Roland RE-201 is included in this rig rundown from Guitar Geek of Randy's live setup.
David Bowie is shown with a Roland RE-201 Space Echo in a 1977 photo from the The Idiot tour, as shared in an Instagram post by Drew Schlesinger.
In a photo from Polymathperspective, Damon Albarn's Roland RE-201 Space Echo is visible on top of a stack, positioned next to the Prodigy gear.
Alex originally used a Maestro Echoplex, but clearly switched to the Roland Space Echo. This pic is soundcheck on the Hemispheres 1979 tour.
In the photo "Studio A" in this article you can see the Roland RE-201 on top of the rackmount in Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) studio April Base
In this video, Wes talks about his Roland Space Echo RE-201.
Can be seen at 4:09 in the 2003 lowlands festival video.
Omar used the Space Echo live onstage for most of TMV's early tours.
And then I can put it through a Harmonizer and a Roland Space Echo. On the Harmonizer I bring in the octave above, and on the Roland Space Echo I can add sound on sound.
In this interview with XLR8R, Scott Hansen of Tycho talks about his Roland Space Echo which can be seen in the image to his right on the rack.
"I use my Roland Space Echo a lot, because it's tape, so you get the tape saturation and warmth. And then you run it into the preamps, and those are transformer based, which gives its own kind of harmonic distortion."
can be seen in this post from November 3, 2016
In this interview, Matt states that he used a Roland RE-201 on the song The Botanist from the album The Sciences.
All over the record, though, is an Eventide H949 Harmonizer. That’s the main effect. Usually, on all my other records, I’m using a [Roland] Space Echo or a tape echo, but I’ve become completely infatuated with the Eventide. It’s the effect that Bowie used on [1977’s] Low—just a crazy ’80s[-ish] effect, but you can do really fucked-up, weird shit on it. All the weird, echo-y, spaced-out stuff is coming from that.
Album Usage
The Roland RE-201 Space Echo has been featured on the following albums:
Funeral for Justice (Injustice Version)
Mdou Moctar (2025)
Funeral for Justice
Mdou Moctar (2024)
Oh France
Mdou Moctar (2024)
De-Evolution
Rick White (2023)
Songs of Vienna
Cid Rim (2021)
Nothing Is Still
Leon Vynehall (2018)
Smells Funny
Hedvig Mollestad Trio (2018)
Heir To Despair
Sigh (2018)
The Sciences
Sleep (2018)
Metamatic
John Foxx (2018)
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Arctic Monkeys (2018)
Don't Take The Money (Organized Noize Remix)
Bleachers (2017)
22, A Million
Bon Iver (2016)
Fixion
Trentemøller (2016)
The Waterfall
My Morning Jacket (2015)
Kiasmos
Kiasmos (2014)
AM
Arctic Monkeys (2013)
Electric Head (Plus Bonus Tracks)
The Grid (2013)
A Color Map of the Sun (Remixes)
Pretty Lights (2013)
A Color Map of the Sun (Deluxe Version)
Pretty Lights (2013)
On Doing an Evil Deed Blues
Lil Ugly Mane (2013)
Boys & Girls
Alabama Shakes (2012)
Longest Year
Hammock & Hammock (2011)
Suck It and See
Arctic Monkeys (2011)
For Long Tomorrow
toe (2009)
Hello Hurricane
Switchfoot (2009)
Icky Thump
The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)
In Rainbows
Radiohead (2007)
Beatitude
Ric Ocasek (1982)
LC
The Durutti Column (1981)
McCartney II
Paul McCartney (1980)
Radio-Activity (2009 Remaster)
Kraftwerk & Kraftwerk (1975)
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-201 Space Echo, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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From Roland: "The Roland RE-150 marketed itself as another value-priced alternative to the RE-201 flagship. Although it looked very similar to the RE-101 and contained the same core circuitry and mechanisms, the RE-150 differed in that it contained only 2 playback heads (1 less than the RE-201), limiting the number of mode variations available to the user. Like the RE-101 it also lacked reverb. Interestingly, the RE-150 had the unique feature of offering two separate outputs – one for the Direct (Dry) signal only and one for the affected signal – a feature that found favour with many players."
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