Hi guys.
I'm trying to find out what version of the Roland Tape Echo family would be the right for me. From what I've gathered (searching from here and google) the 201 and 301 are the dirtiest and 501 is the cleanest. I'm mostly doing electronic music which is the reason of posting the question here. I think 301 or 501 would be the best for me 'cause it would be great to have the roland chorus for pads etc..
Hope you can help me out.

this page had some helpful information
Roland Tape Echoes RE-201, RE-301, RE-501, SRE-555

I have the 301. It is a bit more woody sounding than the 501. The 301 has a
spring reverb and a chorus with an Intensity setting which is your only parameter for that.

The delay settings on the 301 cover a wide range of useful delays, that you can tweak
with Delay Intensity and repeat rate. The 301 does have a quite different sound
to the 501 probably because the 301 is all discrete circuits and the 501 has more modern design
tech.

The 301 also has a CV in to modulate the repeat rate, which is cool. The chorus is a typical
Roland sound, but I like it a lot for subtle modulation although it isn't very adjustable. The reverb
I think is pretty much the same one in the System 100 Mixer 104.

I have a new tape in mine and it sounds quite good. I also had it modded to
stop the transport with switch to stop wasting the tape when I just wanted the reverb and
chorus. To do this used up one of the FX pedal sockets and I must flick a switch instead.


rachel

This is incorrect. The 301 is not a discrete design. Only the RE-201 (and before) are discrete designs.

The 501 (and 555) sounds different from the 301 because the 501 (and 555) use a dynamics-based noise-reduction system (among other things).

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I use a Roland RE-201, RE-501, and SRE-555. I think these are lovely machines for delay and textural work. That said, I would not buy a Chorus Echo for the chorus, good as it is. Get a Chorus Echo for the sound of the delay, and treat the chorus as a bonus. On the other hand, I think the RE-201 has the best delay sound of them all, and that is reflected in its classic status.


cheers,
Ian

did you ever had a chance to compare it to the boss re-20 remake?

How would describe the differences?
I could get RE-501 for the same price as Re-201. Would you still recommend 201 over 501?

I've only tested Re-201...

The 501 is as it has been said in the other posts, a bit cleaner (because of the noise reduction circuit) it has the chorus, the reverb some XLR conections (If i'm correct) and the Sound-On-Sound.
I don't have one but I have a 201 and use to have a 150 that I sold recently. I've tried the 501 though and liked it. It was the last space echo made by Roland (along with the 555 rack version) Because of the extra features it is often more expensive than a 201, at least here in the UK.
I don't know if IC Vs discrete makes a big difference but the 501 I've tried (as my 150 with ICs, and without the EQ and reverb) were audibly cleaner.

Has anyone used the Sound On Sound feature of the 501, extensively? Any comments on that?

Not in person, no.

Given the online demos I have heard of the Boss RE-20, I think it sounds like an RE-201 when being used for basic delay duties, but when pushed to where an RE-201 gives up the goods, it sounds different, and to me lacks the qualities of overdriven analog.

I don't recommend one over the other on their own. It depends on what you need/desire in terms of tone color and use. I appreciate both their colors.

To me, the RE-201 is dirtier and has more color. It excels when it is pushed, and works perfectly as a dub delay. It is more present overall, and has character in the mix.

On the other hand, the RE-501/SRE-555 is cleaner and has more fidelity, while still having the warmth of a tape echo. It is perfectly suited for delay tap ambience and can add to a mix while not taking over.


cheers,
Ian

RE-20 is a great delay pedal but it isn't analog so, like was said above, when driven hard it doesn't give up the goods.

This is true of any analog, the clipping, grit, sounds good.

Digital stuff isn't the same in this regard.

As a delay pedal the RE-20 is badass though. Really really badass and fun for dubby stuff.

Thanks for the reply.
Very helpful information.
RE-501 might suit me better 'cause of the cleanliness factor, but then again I love dub so Re-201 could be the one.
Maybe I'll be slutty and end up getting both of them. Let's see. Now I just have gather some money for the first one.

The RE-201 is my favorite. That's the dreamy dubby thing.

Got the RE-501 yesterday. I'm just going to have it serviced soon. I'm pleased with my purchase.
I'm gonna be slutty and buy re-201 also in the future but not anytime soon.

+1

Can someone who has had a 201 for a decent amount of time tell me if I were to get one in decent working condition, what would I be in for maintenance-wise as far as replacing the tape and whatever?

Of course, you must replace your tape from time to time. Not hard at all.


cheers,
Ian

I have a Re-301, and 2 SRE-555's. I would totally grab a 501 or 555. Depends if you want rackmount or standalone.

The 301's are noisy, and the outputs are no where as hot as the 501,555's.

I think the 301 is the best. Sort of a combination of both.

If you are deciding between a 201 and a 301, I don't see why anyone wouldn't want the 301. Is there any other big difference besides the 201 not having Chorus?

Ive got the SRE-555, the Re-101, and that new pedal made by boss.

The 101 sounds waaay smoother than the 555 which is much harsher (but has less noise, and balanced ins and outs...)

The modern, guitar pedal version doesnt sound like the tape versions - its too clean. But it still has its uses.

Timely thread. I'm reducing the number of tape echoes I have. Being who I am, I have a few:

Roland: 201, 301, 501, 555
Klemt: Echolette S, E-51
Korg: SE-500
Plex Tube Echo
Maestro: echoplex (2 different solid state ones)


My initial thought was to keep the 201 or 301, the 555, one Klemt and one Maestro.

Anyone have a different view?

Holy crap. You really are a gear guy.

I was wondering about this too. Opinions anyone? Other than the discrete design option (and why is discrete design often preferred on the 201? Warmth and noise?)

Answers highly appreciated as Im buying either a 201 or 301, and the chorus on the 301 is tempting, but theres got to be a reason why the 201 is so much more loved on various classic gear sites.

There's the discrete thing,but I think its largely just because the 201 is seen as the archetypal space echo..affording it greater 'classic' status.

I've got a 301...I can't say what actual difference in sound fully discrete electronics would make..

..BUT I would say there's a whole range of factors that I'm sure would play a bigger part in influencing the sound.

Head condition,tape age/type,mechanical condition..are all major factors...plus there's a load of trim pots inside which allow settings such as tone,regen etc,to be tweaked.

I had two 301s here at one point,and they sounded very different.

I've got a Roland RE-150 and Roland RE-201, and I love 'em. If you ask me, the grit is part of the charm.

If you're looking for something "clean" I wouldn't even bother with any of the Roland's if I were you. I'll have to check my boomarks when I get home, but there is an outfit currently producing rackmont tape delays. As far as I've heard, they're pretty "clean", high-quality machines... I wish I could remember their name... and no, it's not those wretched Fulltone things that I'm thinking of...

I picked up an re-150 last week. This is what delay is supposed to sound like. Period. This box makes damn near everything sound better. Now I need more.

The biggest advantage for the 301 over the 201 to me was I *believe* the 301 has a slightly longer delay(?), has sound on sound function and the chorus (which I don't actually use)

Ah, I've found that bookmark!

The Blue Coconut Unity Echoverb 6. If I ever felt like I needed something more than my trusty RE-150 or RE-201, I'd get myself one of these.

i have both and i love both, but both have their little bruises.

my 201 can't do that self-oscilation thing and
my 301's reverb is kinda quiet, almost inaudible...

so, you see, i do need both

Been using RE-501 since October.
I really like the sound. Chorus is a nice bonus.
Might get Re-201 at some point just for getting a different sound.
My Voyager seems to love Re-501; a marriage made in heaven.
Works great with guitar also. Stratocaster+Re-501+ old Vox AC-30 was combo my bands guitar player used for couple parts in our recording session. It was the "sound". Captured with 57. Pure heaven.

I really don't know whether to go for a 201 or a 501 or just buy echoboy Are they really worth £500? Does anyone have quality demo comparisons?