Roland RE-301 Space Echo

This is an easy-to-use machine; everything's clearly labelled, and there's a handy diagram inside the lid in fairly clear Rolandese, if that isn't too oxymoronic. It choruses, echoes, and reverberates three signals with a smooth and loveable murkiness. I particularly enjoy all the foot-switch capabilities: chorus, echo, and sound-on-sound are all foot-switchable, and with a minute of soldering on a crappy old volume pedal I could control the repeat rate with a foot control as well, which makes for some psychedelic fun.

The tape on mine is old and troubled, so I can't expect a whole lot of fidelity. The reverb is a spring unit and can be smothering. The chorus can be hissy. Nevertheless, nothing sounds quite like it.

This was a real find just for my own entertainment. I can spend hours just fooling with tape loops (although it bugs me that signal-splitting seems to be necessary to get an infinite loop in sound-on sound mode; maybe this is only a flaw in my unit), and this little beauty made it possible for a minimal amount of money. In the studio it adds instant spaciness or weirdness, depending on how heavily I lean on my improvised repeat-rate pedal. I love it, there's nothing like it, but on the other hand, I can't really counsel anyone to rush out and get one unless they want to deal with such a quirky blend of sound-shaping power and definite limitations on sound quality. But just watching the tape spool around is magical.

First of all, this is an analogue tape delay for those who don't know. Although you can get some good sounds as soon as you turn it on, it does take some time to get used to all the controls and modes. But this is no problem because the results are very rewarding. There is a manual on the inside of the lid so of course you won't loose it. Though mine did come with another manual. There are 6 modes, repeat rate, and intensity controls, chorus, reverb, sound on sound, etc., etc. There are so many options with the sounds you can get out of it. It also has 3 inputs and two output jacks for using two amps.

I LOVE the sounds you can get. I am playing this unit with a Gibson SG and a Fender Deluxe. There are 6 modes each with different delay times and characteristics. You can use each of echo, reverb, and chorus together or seperately. It's got a very nice retro, dark, organic feel to it (just as the review above me stated). All the modes are usable and many cool noises and weird effects can come from them as well as the normal echo sounds. Excellent all around.

I'm not sure about the reliability because I've only had it a week or so. I take it to band practice and so forth and it does fine. I would depend on it w/o a backup. I have no reason not to really. I bought this unit used of course but it's in nothing short of mint condition. The plastic is still even on the knobs.

Never dealt with Roland. You can pretty much find any parts, accessories, and information on the Internet which has really helped me.

This unit is just amazing. I love all the sounds. It's usuable in different styles of music. If it were stolen I would definately get another. I think they're pretty common to come upon. This is actually my first delay unit. This usually isn't a beginners type thing, but that's ok. I ordered it without ever hearing it before (other than hearing it on albums and reading about it) but i'm very glad i came upon it and decided to get it. I definately like it better than digital, but then again digital has it's purposes. Definately look into one of these amazing units!

Basic but straightforward manual inside top lid, so you can't lose the damn thing! All contols are big amd clearly labelled, massive hell-sci-fi knobs make it easy for mid-gig lunges Pretty easy to get a hold on, once you sit & fiddle for a while.

Well being a tape echo, ie playing back off an analogue tape loop, ther is the requisite tape hiss, but since amps hiss anyway... More than made up for by it's thick, goopy WARM delay tone, it's got a real dark, organic feel to it. If you're put off by the "choppy" sound of dig delays, definitely try to track this one down. I've used it with several amps, generally seems to sound better with solid state - it warms up the tone and stays fairly clean - I found that tube amps compunded the tape hiss a bit much. Artists? Think early Pink Floyd.. really good for experimental noise textures as well as retro psychedelic things..

Well it's getting on a bit.. This is my second, the first I got second hand too (I'm not _that_ old), and it's drive motor died a few days later. I obsessively hunted thios one down. I don't gig with it - paranoid about it getting dropped - I use a boss analogue "Delay Machine" box thingy - it's got knobs too, but a far scratchier, less liquid sound.

I love the thing, but it's a pretty subjective toy - If you're into true individuality of tone, weird shit boxes / fiddling with knobs / cool analogue kudos, hunt one down now! I find it extremely satisfying, inspiring and lovely. Sounds _excellent_ with a strat & E-bow