Roland RE-201 Space Echo

Very easy, like the dude before me already stated; the quickstart manuals are mostly still on it, and also the buttons are labelled, only the mode selector isn't quite obvoius without the manual.

Depends on the state of the heads/ tape.(always get a service if you buy a new effect)
There is still new tape available (one guy named orbitelectronix is selling good ones)
If all's well, it sounds GREAT! Real tape saturation, great fat harmonics in the lower frequency region (due to the absence of bias correction).
A very natural and full echo, and the spring reverb is fun in all it's simplicity (give it a smack for the whack!), but imo there are better ones, but as an effect it can be great.

Get a good servicepoint, for it needs some tlc now and then.
There are a lot of guys around that are into the device, but i wouldn't take it to a gig anymore. (it only serves for recordings) They are a little harder to get now, and due to hyping go out for usurious prices.

Roland did put it's manual back on the net in a nice pdf form. (kudos for them), and else it does hang around everywhere.
For service it is better ti find an afficiado technician around the area.

It is getting somewhat rarer, but not extinct yet.
It works very good on Dub style music (Reggae, Dr&B, Triphop) and older rockstyles if you want it to be obvious, otherwise it will work anywhere as a normal delay.
You can put it on drums (rimshot) vocals, guitars and a lot of other stuff.
Only try to avoid scrooges, but get a good one with good heads. (if the covering is still good thats nice, but not the most important)
I got a good one with a scrappy covering, and full of nicotine, but got it serviced, cleaned, and re-taped it, and now it is sweet again.
If it got stolen, i would send a mercenary up the thief's a**, to bring it back together with a head in a box.

No problem figuring out how to use it...and most units have the diagram and instuction for use sheet attached.tape echo units do require a bit extra care...oiling motor..tape change ..head cleanig ETC.Worth it if you dig the sound....and I do!

I run this at the end of the effects chain. TS 808> Ross distortion/ phaser>ADA flanger>DOD 575 flanger>DOD 565 chorus> DOD 585 analog delay > captian Coconut 2 > roland space echo>>>ELK tape echo>>> into and Sound city 50 +. (Stock 1969 strat)...Space echo is a great analog echo/delay unit...warm!!! The reverb by it's self is not real good ...a little bit of rev. though does sound good.When combining echo and rev.it shines and enhances the effect...makes a bigger...spacey sound.Unit is NOT real noisy...I think other reviewers may need to change tape or have it serviced.No more noise than my analog pedals.Sound is fantastic!

Appears to hold up...but it is a tape echo and needs more care....it is well made!!!

N/A

I got this unit recently from a buddy...he gave me a great deal!I owe him one!As far as value goes...these units are overpriced.Don't get me wrong...I love it.I would not pay 400.00 - 500.00 bucks though!At 200.00 it's a value for sure. I have analog pedals that come real close to tape echo sound for a fraction of the price.If money is not an issue...go for it!!!Value based on the price I got it for is a 10...at vintage prices...5.BTW my ELK unit is every bit as good if not better....for $100.00 now thats a value.Of course...no one can work on that one and any info on ELK products is not to be found...and I know of only one other guy who has one..roland space echos can be serviced and are offered for sale frequently.

I bought this effect in 2001 and its still a space oddesey!
Its very easy to use. for a vintage effect-geek like myself ive had
many hours of dr.crazy lessons with the knobs.

I use this diamond with another diamond, peavey deuce II 4X12. those two in the same room is like tripping far back in time.
My guitar is an fernandes with a EMG-mic. Total mindblowing! a great symbiosis! Its noisy, but its what i like about it. looping it with a distortion-pedal(wich i purchased in russia!!) This is a great base for further expression.

The machinery stood still a few times..

nope

I play "mental joikbeat", wich contains a lot of ambient noise, its a bit like primus, a bit like dark throne, a bit like nowave, a bit like..osv
the effect is steady in this purchase of journey,something
no i really mean it!

The Roland Space Echo has ten knobs, so at a first and distant glance, it can either look daunting or inviting depending on how big of a knob-twiddler you are. However, a closer look reveals that the knobs are actually quite simple in function. Three knobs control the volume of their corresponding 1/4" input. Two knobs serve as a simple bass and treble EQ for the echo's tone. One knob is a volume for the reverb feature. The biggest knob lets you select the type of delay (this is actually the most complicated feature because the delay-type is related to which of the tape-heads are turned on for recording). The final three knobs are tape speed, feedback, and echo volume. There is also a three-position switch that lets you select a high, medium, or low output. Due to the intrinsic excellence of the machine itself, nearly everything sounds amazing, regardless of the setting. You may have to play around a while to get the specific sound you want. All in all, as far as the front side of this unit is concerned, it is not difficult to use. Its obviously more complicated than a simple analog delay, but even without a manual (mine was missing), it only took me a few minutes to figure it all out.
The mechanical aspect of this unit is a different matter. This is not a case of simply needing to switch out a battery on occasion. With the Space Echo, you must change the tape, clean the heads, and generally be aware that it is a machine with moving parts. Changing the tape can be initially frustrating, but it gets easier with practice. Beware, if something goes wrong with the machine's innards, unless you are mechanically inclined, plan on spending some money to have it repaired. Given that the sounds the Space Echo produces are so wonderful, the pain of finding new tape loops and the potential for mechanical problems are the only unattractive aspects of the Space Echo experience.

At the moment, I am using the Space Echo for both guitar and vocals, in a home-recording environment. For guitar, my typical set-up is Strat/Tele--->Maxon OD-9/Russian Big Muff--->Space Echo--->65 Fender Twin Reissue. For vocals its just a matter of putting the Space echo in between the mic and the board. Let it be known: this is a noisy effect, particularly on its "high" output setting. A noticeable hiss comes through the amplifier. The hiss is a small price to pay though, because this is, without a doubt the most beautiful, responsive delay I've ever used. You can get a ton of useable sounds out of it, from excellent slap-back to spiralling-out-of-control spaceship engine noises, and everything in between. Its traditional echo sounds are absolutely lush and warm, and they can be adjusted to be as bold or as subtle as you want. Even when the echo is applied only subtly, it adds an unmistakable presence to my guitar playing. As for vocals, at the right setting, the Space Echo can make me sound just like Gene Vincent or Eddie Cochran, and as far as vocal production goes, thats good enough for me. The Space Echo's reverb is a simple spring reverb. Its pretty good, but obviously not the main feature of the unit. For guitar, I have a Twin Reverb so I usually leave the space echo's reverb off.

Because of this machine's age, its lack of available parts, and its mechanical nature, I do not consider it entirely reliable. I bought mine "as is" on eBay for a below-average price, and although it worked fine at first (except for the reverb, which was DOA), the Space Echo completely crapped out after two months of gentle use. I have since had the machine totally repaired by a local expert and it now runs like an absolute dream, but the repair cost $100 bucks. This is basically what I had planned for, though, because I did not want to shell out $500 for a cosmetically nice unit (like some people do) and then have the thing crap out mechanically (as they tend to do) and have to spend $100+ on top of that. This way, my investment is still low...and the service is warrantied.
At this point, I haven't gigged with it, but I definitely will, and soon, especially now that its fully operational. It would be a crime not to expose more people to the Space Echo's sound. The world will be a better place as a result.

To my knowledge, Roland doesn't work on these. RT-1L tapes are only available NOS or you can get tape loops hand-spliced by a few people on the internet. Parts like the pinch roller or the mode switch mechanism are completely out of production and either have to be custom fashioned or salvaged off dead units. Some people won't even work on Space Echos at all because they can be tricky to repair depending on whats wrong. I'm very lucky because I have access to an excellent technician who works fast and provides a warranty for his work. I give this rating a 3 because there are people out there who can fix Space Echos, even if its not Roland themselves.

My style is the style of rock and roll, and some of my heroes are Neil Young, Robert Fripp, Adrien Belew, Bernard Sumner, and Bruce Springsteen. It is my sincere hope that the Space Echo inspires me to play within a fraction of their creativity.
I have played extensively through an EH Memory Man, Akai Headrush, Line 6 Delay Pod, and other assorted analog and digital delays. The Space Echo clearly wins, but it is bigger to accomodate and more scary to own because of its moving parts. Even the Memory Man does not come close to the Space Echo. While the Memory Man and other delays are warm, the Space Echo's tone is much more nuanced and textured. The Line 6 Delay's Space Echo emulation is fairly accurate, except that it cannot help but sound tinny and digital. The true Space Echo delay is mighty and oceanic compared to the the Line 6's imitation. But, if you want something that will never break and you don't have to change tapes, a Line 6 is probably more for you.
In conclusion, I like the Space Echo because it sounds warm and alive. It's like playing with another person...that's how responsive it is. How could it not be awesome, given that it looks more like something out of a physics laboratory than a guitar effect?
I give it a 10, because everything about the Space Echo's sound and aesthetic appearance suggests that it is a true classic, a musical instrument unto itself.

This effect have a lot of knobs, but when you know about effects and the basical functions there's no problem with this unit...it's very easy to use!!!

a little noisy!!! but what the hell! only the people that knows the quality of analog - vintage effects can love this kind of stuff, it's really warm tone, and the very best echo that i have ever heard!!! this have a lot of posibbilities, it's amazing

well...the space echo was made at 1973, something at sometime have to work bad, but mine works really well, the only thing that it's hard it's the reel tape, you have to replace it sometimes...

I like some guitar players sound like Mike McCready and Greenwood, this effect gives me the sound that i'm searching, analog, a really nice tone. I also use a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and Small Stone, Jim Dunlop Volume Wha, 70's suzuki Distortion, and my JCM DSL Distortion, with de head and a jcm800 1982 lead cabinet. I like the fat tones, i'm using 3 guitars, a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 1976, Aria Pro II Les Paul Custom 1977 with alnico pick ups, and a Image Standard 1991 with Alnico V Pick ups, but the best sound i obteined with my Aria LP Custom, a Really vintage Hard Rock Sound!!! i love it!

Simple to control despite all the knobs. Typical delay controls like intensity, echo volume, speed. Also has bass, treble, and reverb. The 201 model has a large dial in the center to control which playback heads are activated etc. I think like five of them are without reverb and six are with reverb.

The sound this thing produces is very nice. I have a Boss DM-2 as well and the echo is surely preferred over it. In some cases the Boss in all honesty sounds just as good. There are things that the Boss just can't do though. Activating more than one playback head makes for some great delay sounds. Depending on the playback heads that are activated, the sound takes on some tonal changes that I can't describe exactly but they are really nice. Its great for long drawn out spacey echo runs. Of course, it is also great at the rockabilly thing too! The intensity opened all the way up can produce some extremely crazy osciallation. Actually the Boss is not bad at this either! Again, unable to explain exactly what it is, but the space echo oscillation is better. More lo-fi sounding I guess. This my favorite effects unit.

I'd say this thing could be depended on even if it is 20+ years old. I'd be extremely careful loading it etc. though if I played gigs. Then there are always the ongoing maintenance issues, but its not a big deal really. Just clean the heads with isopropyl alcohol ever so often. The tape is only a mild hassle. Actually its really simple to thread it in to the unit. I picked up a splicing block at radio shack and a reel of endless loop tape (the stuff they use at radio stations for tracking commercials etc). Just cut about a 12 foot run of the tape and cut the ends at 45 degrees. Then apply a piece of splicing tape to the shiny side... the dull side is what will actually go against the heads. Anyway..

Overall I give this thing a 10. I play alone with drum machines etc. Experimental I guess you guys would call it. Its really great fun. The Boss analog pedals are great too. If you have the cash then go for a space echo. The sounds are really nice plus it is really sweet looking! If you want a good delay that will not take a large chunk out of your wallet then get something else.

A lot of knobs but very logical and easy to get a good sound out of it.

It's simply the best effect I have ever own. With Fender Bassman Ten or SF deluxe reverb the sound is amazing. It gives more headroom/clean to DR and even with cranked up it sounds OK.
Anyway it's quite noisy and my RE-201 is made in 1973 so there is not so effective noise filtering circuit. But what the heck...it's a vintage echo and some noise is therefore natural.
Reverb spring I have replaced because original sucks.

No problems so far...just have to clean heads once a month.

Internet is full of information of RE-201. I have never asked but I doubt that Roland can help if something goes wrong.

Well I was lucky to get this one so low price (2002). As I said the best effect I have ever own. BUT be careful if you gonna buy RE-201; check that the motor is not loose and it's OK. I have heard that it is almost impossible to find new motor for RE-201....

It's user friendliness is unparalleled. Despite the amount of knobs on the unit, the Space Echo is shockingly easy to control. As far as getting a good sound out of it? I honestly think it's harder to NOT get a good sound out of it! The manual is posted on the bottom of the top compartment, but I haven't needed to refer to it once. I've looked at it more for amusement than anything else!

My sound is ALL about Fender. My two most trusted guitars are a 90's jap made Strat and a custom shop 62 Tele, pure simple and delicious..I go into a Fender Superchamp amp (20 watt 80's Rivera designed), an old Fender Super, an old Magnatone 460 . I've even tried it with a solid state amp, a Polytone, and it warmed the sound up like *that*. For other effects I employ a MXR compressor, VOX wah, TOAD fuzz (vintage effects), BARBER DIRECT DRIVE overdrive and EH q-tron. So that's my effects chain...Now, because the sound that goes into the Space Echo is going to be recorded onto its tape and then subsequently played back, there WILL be SOME noise. It is GOOD noise! The Space Echo is warmer than a fireplace in winter. I'm going after my own sound, so I'm not using the unit so much to emulate the sounds of others, but I definitely would like to give it up for the Godfather of Soul Mr. Brown. The Space Echo features a spring reverb, the same as most older guiar amps, which sounds very naughty and can be employed to great effect, either in moderation or excess..also great for reverb explosions, as per a loving whacking upon the unit to disturb the springs in the reverb. The delay itself goes into downright nasty territory when the intensity/feedback is raised, and it goes sci fi on your ass with the tweak of another knob to raise the pitch of the feedback...truly nasty. But, because the output is highly dynamic, especially in overdrive mode, running this INTO a compressor like an MXR dynacomp simply yields the smoothest, most putrid sound imaginable. Dub music STARTED with this thing; if any of y'all have ever heard King Tubby's or Lee Perry's remixes, this is the machine. Check Funkadelic's filthy usage of it on FREE YOUR MIND AND YOUR ASS WILL FOLLOW or the album "King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown" for Space-Echoland.

I can absolutely depend on it. It has not even remotely failed me once. I've replaced the tape inside it a couple of times, which you will have to do. The replcaement tape is VERY easy to find on ebay; some company is re-manufacturing it in Australia. Not only would I take it to a gig w/o a backup, I can't even fathom my doing a performance in public without this thing. As far as construction, this thing is solid. I've never dropped it or anything, but it's very, very sturdy and resilient.

Never contacted Roland. Never had a need. I'm on my own.

Yo, I am a SPACE FUNK rhythm guitar player, playing in a FUNK orchestra. The Space Echo is CRUCIAL to manifesting the sound in my head. I've been playing for about 12 years or so...and I became a different player when I got the Space Echo. Hell, I think I became a different person. If it were stolen, I would dip into my life savings to immediately rectify the situation. The unit embraces other effects. Volume swells? good god. WAH, forget about it, it's too nasty for me to imagine. You will want to either cry tears of joy or vomit because the sound is just incomprehensibly filthy (remember, nothing is good unless you play with it, and all that is good, is NASTY!) For the delays, it has a few different patterns that are kinda more complicated and novelty oriented, as in you might use it once or twice but never regularly. The reason I use the Space Echo is for the basic delay itself, which is absolutely, unimaginably, the most beautiful thing I've ever heard come through my amp, let alone into my ears. If I could change one thing about it, I'd give it a slower delay time option; the later RE-501 model has a slower delay, so if any of you want super slow, definitely seek out a 501 for that reason. But the 201 is a bit nastier, both in tone and vibe. I had an EH Deluxe Memory Man prior to this, and I loved it. I bought this and haven't plugged the Memory Man in more than two times in the past two years. Does the Space Echo help me make music? This thing fucking breathes chi into my music. It brings down sounds and vibrations from higher dimensions. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't in love with it, because as a guitarist, it is, without a doubt, the best thing to have happened to me.

It is pretty easy to get a great sound out of it, if you have one that works! The manual was rubbed off of mine so it didn't help much.. if you have one that works with a couple of hours you can get some really cool dubby trippy stuff, if your into Pink F. or King Tubby, Bob Marley stuff...

It sounds great a little noisey hissy but over all the warmth over powers it and that gritty sound is why we all like it anywaze.. This unit is the best that I have found to get that really roots reggae sound but only if it is working and most units are not working perfectly..

You probably would need to change the tape once a year. I think one in good condition kept in the studio should work fine for many years.. but if you have one that is already having problems it will probably only get worse

0, I am trying to get mine fixed I've looked at so many websites and no one can help, defiently not customer support on Rolands' site.. if you know a place or website that repairs roland space echo's let me know!

I play fusion of house and dub music and it works well for that. I have been playing music for about 15 years. If mine was stolen I would probably only buy it again if it was a unit I checked out first and was in Mint condition. This is one of the best sounding units, just wish it was more reliable..

Very easy to get a good sound out of this thing. You can even overdrive a bit, and get some really great overdriven delays/echos. But I will say that the reverb in it is not that great. I like to be able to push it more.

It is a bit noisy but I think it is worth it.There are too meny things out there today that do a "somewhat sound" , do you really want to havethe same sound as everyone else to is cuting corners ? REAL TAPE ECHO!!! This this is "Echo and the Bunnymen" in a box.

I have had the tape brake a few time's but it is ez to fix, and it does not happen that much at all. I use it at gigs, but hey, that is me.

None, INTERNET !!!

This thing is WONDERFUL so so meny things, you can almost use it as a pre-amp overdive. Get one, you will not be sorry.