RE-201 Space Echo

Introduced in 1974, the RE-201 Space Echo is one of the most famous and iconic effect processors ever created. It used analog tape to create its distinctive multi-head delay effect and has been a staple of performers, producers, and mix engineers for the past fifty years. Lovingly crafted by the makers of the original Space Echo, you can now have the genuine character of this ultra-versatile and transformative effect in your DAW.

Highlights

The only authentic Roland RE-201 Space Echo plug-in
Iconic tape delay and echo sounds with multiple head combinations and spring reverb
Resizable, high-resolution interface brings the feel of using the original hardware
Highly detailed and historically accurate graphics with pristine and aged appearances
Explore over 50 expertly crafted presets
Perfect for all kinds of sources, including keyboards, guitars, drums, vocals, and more
Extended parameters for new sounds and modern production techniques
Six tape-speed LFO shapes with tempo sync plus rate and depth controls
Adjust the physical condition of the unit, tape wow and flutter, and motor torque
Support for VST3, AU, and AAX plug-in formats

Echoes of 1974.

The mid-’70s were an exciting time for music performance and production. Artists began to focus more on sonics and experimented with emerging technologies to harness new sounds. Tape-based echoes were the first delays available and were developed as early as the 1940s. But a few decades later, contemporary engineering would make them more feasible for widespread use. Enter the Roland RE-201 Space Echo.

Pulse. Warp. Collapse. Repeat.

The original RE-201 was one of the premier tape echo units of its era, remaining in continuous production until the late 1980s. Its three evenly spaced heads produced a wider range of echo effects than typical single-head designs, while an innovative free-running tape system provided superior performance with minimal tape wear. A spring reverb was also built in, making it a one-stop-shop for all things ambient. Grab-and-go controls enabled quick access to single delays, different head combinations, and cool real-time effects like glitchy pitch shifts and intense self-oscillation.

An authentic Roland original—now in your DAW.

The RE-201 is a complex hardware effect, from the preamp design to the unique multi-head tape mechanism and integrated spring reverb. Using the latest modeling technologies and exhaustive analysis of several vintage RE-201s—including a pristine original unit from the Roland factory archive—the RE-201 Space Echo plug-in brings the authentic Space Echo experience to life like no other plug-in can.

Every element and interaction must be faithfully replicated to accurately convey its unique analog vibe. As the makers of the original, we’ve leveraged decades of research to deliver a complete recreation straight to your studio. Our engineers have fully reproduced everything contributing to the RE-201’s immortal character, including the tape path, record/playback mechanism, motor variations, preamp coloration, tape age, and more.

Enjoy the trip.

The RE-201’s versatile delays and spring reverb instantly infuse any source with rich, retro character. You can use the delay and reverb independently or combine them for extra-spacious sounds, while the ample front-panel controls let you easily shape your sound for extra expression. Regardless of how you use it, the RE-201 will take your tracks to new and unexplored territories.

Sounds great with everything.

You might be surprised just how versatile the Space Echo sound can be. It brings life and movement to keys, guitars, drums, vocals, and more. From subtle to dreamy to utterly bizarre, this coveted effect has been heard on thousands of tracks over the decades and remains the secret weapon of a legion of producers. It’s instantly gratifying but also rewards deeper exploration.

Wow. And flutter.

Different RE-201 units exhibit unique sonic characteristics depending on their age, tape life, and how well they’ve been maintained. Our plug-in offers controls for adjusting the overall condition, tape wow and flutter, and even the motor torque, letting you dial in everything from a brand-new Space Echo to an aging unit dripping with vintage personality.

Instant gratification.

While you can easily dial in your own delay and reverb sounds, the RE-201 plug-in features a wealth of expertly crafted presets to add dimension to any source. There are presets designed for channel inserts and all-wet versions for effect returns, allowing you to apply the Space Echo sound to single tracks or multiple instruments at once.

Travel to a new space and time.

While we’ve brought the authentic sound and behavior of the original unit to this plug-in recreation, we’ve also added extended capabilities for modern productions. There’s a stereo mode for extra-wide sounds, along with six tape-speed LFO shapes with rate and depth controls and tempo-sync support to drastically change the feel.

Colorful saturation.

Key factors in the RE-201’s unique and pleasing character are modeled with remarkable realism. The inherent sound of the tape saturation and the warm, velvety tones of the integrated preamp are worth the price of admission alone. Additionally, the plug-in replicates the three inputs and volume knobs of the original hardware. By selecting an input and virtually overloading the classic ’70s transistor design, you can imbue the echo tones with everything from warm overdrive to all-out distortion.

“I think of sound as color; if you’re a painter, delays are your blues. So, it’s like different shades of blue—dark blue, light blue, sky blue.”

Ed O’Brien, Radiohead, on his love of delay and long-time use of the Space Echo

Ed O’Brien, Photo by Alterna2

Increase the intensity.

A well-loved signature sound of the RE-201 is a result of the use—or abuse—of the onboard controls. By cranking the intensity and manipulating the delay rate and saturation levels in real time, you can create bizarre, runaway effects that take sounds from mild to wild. You’ve been warned.

Lee "Scratch" Perry, Photo by Luke Awtry

Musical icons.

The RE-201 has found its way into diverse musical genres, including dub, trip hop, alternative, punk, rockabilly, and more. It’s been used by an array of iconic artists, including dub pioneers Lee “Scratch” Perry and King Tubby, who made use of the unit’s unique feedback and saturation qualities. The Space Echo became a major feature of Portishead recordings and is responsible for everything from the dreamy ambiance of Vini Reilly’s Durutti Column records to the mangled, feedback-induced loops of Radiohead.