Note: The UAD Roland RE-201 plug-in is no longer available for purchase. It has been replaced by the UAD Galaxy Tape Echo plug-in, which uses the exact same algorithm.
Warm, highly adjustable multi-head tape delay
Created by Roland in 1973, the Space Echo has been adding wonderful tape character and chaos to performances and recordings since its inception. Pink Floyd and David Bowie, countless reggae and dub albums, to more recent bands like Portishead and Radiohead, all offer examples of the warm, highly adjustable tape delays that the Space Echo affords. UA spent over a year developing our RE-201 Space Echo — considered the best of the Space Echo line — to capture the physical behavior of this complex device, "warts and all." The resulting RE-201 Space Echo plug-in is truly a unique instrument unto itself.
- Meticulous model of original Roland RE-201 Space Echo
- Tape oscillation effects and spring reverb emulation
- Entrusted by Roland for accurate analog modeling
UA's RE-201 Space Echo faithfully retains all the controls and features of the original, such as the Mode Selector for various head combinations, Repeat Rate for fine timing control, and Intensity which sets repeat count and allows the unit to achieve self-oscillation. The all-important Echo/Normal "Dub" switch is retained for muting, as well as the simple tone controls. Last but certainly not least, the atmospheric shimmer of the Space Echo's spring reverb is faithfully captured, putting this fantastic plug-in on par with the original unit as a tool of infinite creativity.
Our emulation also adds substantial digital-only features like host Tempo Sync, Output Volume, Echo and Reverb Pan. Finally, a Tape Select is present allowing the user to select between three distinct grades of tape loop quality, new, used and old—plus the clever "Splice" switch allowing the user to trigger the chaos-inducing tape splice at will.
Roland RE-201
Roland RE-201 Controls
The RE-201 interface is true to the original hardware, with a few customizations to bring it into the digital era.
The original mic and instrument volume controls have been replaced with echo/reverb pan controls and an input control. We've also added a Tape Age switch to emulate new and older tape, a Wet Solo control for use as a bus/send effect, and an output volume control for utility. The clever Splice switch allows the user to trigger the tape splice at will. Tempo synchronization controls round out the modernization of this classic analog processor. The fabulous sound of the original is untouched!
Peak Level
The Peak lamp indicates when transient signal peaks and clipping are detected just after the input volume control. It begins illuminating at approximately -2 dB to -1.5 dB, then gets brighter as the level increases.
VU Meter
The VU meter indicates the average signal that is about to be written to the tape. Used in conjunction with the Peak lamp, an indication of signal level can be deduced.
The VU is essentially an input meter, therefore it doesn't react when the Echo/Normal switch is switched from Echo to Normal.
Note: The Peak lamp and VU meter measure signal just after the input volume control. However, like the original hardware, echo intensity (feedback) is applied just before the level detection circuit. For this reason, the Intensity control will effect the level readings.
Echo Pan
Echo Pan determines the placement of the echo signal in the stereo panorama when the plug-in is used in mono-in/stereo-out and stereo-in/stereo-out configurations. When the RE-201 is used in a mono-in/mono-out configuration, this control is disabled.
Reverb Pan
Reverb Pan determines the placement of the reverb signal in the stereo panorama when the plug-in is used in mono-in/stereo-out and stereo-in/stereo-out configurations. When the RE-201 is used in a mono-in/mono-out configuration, this control is disabled.
Input Volume
This control determines the signal level that is input to the plug-in. Unity gain is at the 12 o'clock position.
Like the original hardware, clipping distortion at the input to the plug-in effects the tone of the echo and reverb. Clipping is often used as part of the desired effect. At unity gain clipping can be easily induced. However if a cleaner sound is desired, reduce the input volume below unity and increase the plug-in output volume to compensate.
Mode Selector
The RE-201 is a combination of a tape echo and a spring reverb effect. Echo, reverb, or both can be selected with the Mode Selector to determine which effect(s) are active.
Note: The RE-201 uses less UAD DSP in reverb-only or echo-only modes versus when both modes are used simultaneously.
The original Space Echo has three tape playback heads. By changing the combination and positions of the heads, a total of 12 different echo variations can be obtained (4 echo only, 7 echo+reverb, and 1 reverb only). These modes are faithfully reproduced with the Roland RE-201 plug-in.
The effect of each Mode knob position is detailed in the table below.
Mode Selector Positions
| REPEAT (echo only) | REVERB + ECHO | REVERB | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode Position > | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Reverb | |
| Tape Heads Active |
1 | • | • | • | • | • | |||||||
| 2 | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||||||
| 3 | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||||||
| Reverb Active | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | |||||
Bass
This knob controls the low frequency response in the tape echo portion of the signal. It does not effect the dry signal or the reverb signal. This is a cut/boost control; it has no effect when in the 12 o'clock (straight up) position.
Treble
This knob controls the high frequency response in the tape echo portion of the signal. It does not effect the dry signal or the reverb signal. This is a cut/boost control; it has no effect when in the 12 o'clock (straight up) position.
Reverb Volume
This control determines the volume of the spring reverb effect. Rotate the control clockwise for more reverb. Reducing the control to its minimum value will disable the reverb.
On the original hardware the reverb output is quite low, and with some sources, unusable due to a high noise floor. Our model of the spring reverb has no noise, and has an increased available output level to improve usability.
Note: Reverb Volume has no effect when the Mode Selector is in positions 1 through 4.
Output Volume
This control determines the output volume of the plug-in. It modifies the dry and effect signals.
The range of this control is ±20 dB from unity gain. Therefore, some signal may still be heard when this control is set to its minimum value.
Repeat Rate
This knob controls the time interval of the echo effect. Rotating the control clockwise will decrease the delay time, and counter-clockwise rotation will increase the delay time.
The available delay times are as follows:
- Head 1: 69 ms - 177 ms
- Head 2: 131 ms - 337 ms
- Head 3: 189 ms - 489 ms
The head times available with this control are dependent upon the Mode Selector knob. As with the original hardware, this control varies the tape playback speed in realtime by manipulating the tape capstan motor and therefore has a musically useful "ramp-up" and "ramp-down" effect.
When Tempo Sync is enabled, this control is quantized to allow only rhythmic notes available at the leading head.
Intensity
This knob controls the repeat level (feedback) of the echo signal. Rotating the control clockwise increases the number of echoes. Higher values will cause self-oscillation; the exact position is program and Mode dependent.
The self-oscillation of the RE-201 is one of the magic features that really makes it more than a mixing tool; it's also an instrument to be played. The effect may be used subtly, sending the unit into gentle oscillation on held notes, or can be put into "over the top" oscillation with extreme intensity settings. Different Modes will reveal different qualities of oscillation. Single head Modes tend to have simpler oscillation qualities, while multiple head modes will have a more complex sound when oscillating.
The RE-201's oscillation qualities are heavily program and control dependent. Different sources of audio, gain, tone, repeat rate, and tape settings will all effect "oscillation performance." The RE-201 can also achieve oscillation with no signal, making the RE-201 a truly unique instrument.
Echo Volume
This control determines the volume of the echo effect. Rotate the control clockwise for louder echo. Reducing the control to its minimum value will disable the echo.
Note: Echo Volume has no effect when the Mode Selector is in the REVERB ONLY position.
Power Switch
This switch determines whether the plug-in is active. This is useful for comparing the processed settings to the original signal, or to bypass the plug-in to reduce the UAD DSP load. Toggle the switch to change the Power state.
Toggling the power switch will also clear the tape echo. This can be useful if the RE-201 is self-oscillating and restarting the feedback loop is desired.
Echo/Normal
This switch disables the signal sent into the echo portion of the processor when set to NORMAL. The switch will have no effect if Mode Selector is set to REVERB ONLY. This control is sometimes affectionately referred to as the "dub" switch.
Sync
This switch puts the plug-in into tempo sync mode, for synchronizing the echos to the tempo of the host DAW application. See the "Tempo Sync" chapter in the UAD System Manual for related information.
Delay Time Display
These LCD-style readouts display the current delay time(s) of the RE-201. The three displays correspond to the three virtual "heads" in the plug-in, and always maintain their proportional relationship to each other.
The delay time values are displayed in milliseconds unless tempo sync is active, in which case beat values are displayed. When a particular head is inactive (see Mode Selector Positions), dashes are displayed.
When in tempo sync mode, note values that are out of range will flash. Imprecise note values due to head relationships are displayed with superscript + or - symbol before the note.
Tape Age
In the original hardware, the tape loop is contained in a user-replaceable cartridge. As the tape wears out, it is subject to fidelity loss plus increased wow and flutter. The Tape Age switch allows the plug-in to mimic the behavior of new, used, and old tape cartridges.
Newer tape may be ideal for a pristine vocal track, while older tape could be described as having more "character" and might be more appropriate for sources where greater chaos may be musical.
Splice
Normally, the splice on the tape loop comes around at regular intervals. This interval varies, and is determined by the selected Repeat Rate. Depending on what Tape Quality is selected, the splice can be subtle or obvious, and can work as a catalyst for chaos especially when the RE-201 is in a state of self-oscillation.
This switch resets the location of the tape "splice" when the switch is actuated. It is a momentary switch that pops back into the off position immediately after it is activated, allowing the user to trigger the splice point at will.
Note that the splice effect isn't immediate. It drops the splice at the write head, and it needs time to go over the read heads (at which point there will be a dropout), and then the tape capstan (where it will create some wow and flutter).
Wet Solo
When this switch is OFF, the dry/unprocessed signal is mixed with the wet/processed signal. When set to ON, only the processed signal is heard.
Wet Solo is useful when the plug-in is placed on an effect group/bus that is configured for use with channel sends. When the plug-in is used on a channel insert, this control should generally be OFF.
Note: Wet Solo is a global (per RE-201 plug-in instance) control.
The original Roland RE-201 hardware unit
Roland® and RE-201 Space Echo® are registered trademarks of Roland Corporation, Japan and are used under license. Portions of this RE-201 article are © Roland Corporation, Japan and are used under license with kind permission from Roland.