Boss has introduced the RE-202 and RE-2 Space Echo pedals, two new products based on the Roland RE-201 Space Echo from the 1970s and 1980s – the RE-202 is an advanced pedal with three footswitches and extended features, while the RE-2 offers core Space Echo features in a classic Boss compact pedal.
Known for its distinctive rhythmic echo sounds, warm character and highly playable sonic quirks, the tape-based RE-201 continues to inspire musicians, producers, and audio mixers over four decades on. Backed by intensive R&D and the latest Boss innovations, the RE-202 and RE-2 capture the original Space Echo sound and behaviour in flawless detail.
Introduced in 1974 and in production for more than 14 years, the RE-201 Space Echo was a benchmark Roland product and one of the leading tape echo units of its era. Equipped with three evenly spaced tape heads and a spring reverb tank, it could produce everything from clean, single delays to dense, rhythmic echoes and ambient washes. The RE-201’s appeal was influenced by many factors, from the warm compression of magnetic tape saturation to the evolving modulation created by motor speed fluctuations, friction and other elements. Last but not least, analogue preamp circuitry was a key ingredient in the Space Echo’s rich sonic recipe.
With the RE-202 and RE-2, Boss brings the genuine Space Echo experience back to life like. Based on careful analysis of several vintage RE-201s – including a pristine original unit from the Boss and Roland factory archive – these pedals fully reproduce all the complex, nonlinear behaviours that contribute to the RE-201’s character. Everything that influences the sound has been recreated with all-new algorithms, including the tape path, record/playback mechanism, motor variations, preamp coloration and spring reverb character.
The RE-202 delivers the full vintage vibe of the RE-201 – without the need for regular tape replacement and hardware maintenance. All the core controls of the original are here, including the iconic 12-position mode selector. Every behaviour is replicated with complete accuracy, such as the gradual pitch change that occurs when the Repeat Rate knob is tweaked, or the runaway feedback that happens when the Intensity knob is maxed.
With selectable tape age and variable controls, users can dial in everything from a brand-new Space Echo to the worn character and quirks of a well-loved vintage piece. The Saturation control introduces warmth and compression based on the actual magnetic tape and preamp behaviours of the RE-201, while the Wow & Flutter control provides all the natural modulation characteristics that are essential to the Space Echo sound.
The RE-202 also includes extended features, including twice the delay time, tap tempo control, memories for saving presets and a fourth virtual tape head that unlocks five additional sound combinations. In contrast with the mono RE-201, the RE-202 provides true stereo I/O and selectable operation for guitar or line-level devices. And for the dry sound, users can choose between the warm, fat RE-201 preamp tone or a clean signal with zero processing. Full stereo I/O is available, and it’s possible to mute the dry signal for parallel effect setups and studio use. The RE-2 also supports control via external footswitches, an expression pedal, or Midi.
The RE-2 squeezes the complete sonic character of the RE-201 into the Boss compact pedal format for the first time. An 11-position mode selector provides access to three virtual tape heads with or without spring reverb, and users can balance the echo/reverb blend with independent level knobs. The RE-2 also offers powerful features such as Wow & Flutter control, extended delay time, selectable carryover, stereo I/O, tap tempo and external control.
The Boss RE-202 and RE-2 Space Echo pedals are available in the for US$399.99 and US$249.99, respectively.
