The Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo is the final, fullest evolution of the Space Echo line, and if you only ever own one tape echo, the faithful agree this is the one. A free-running tape loop drifts across multiple playback heads for those endless, smeared, three-dimensional repeats, then hands off to a lush spring reverb and Roland's own analog chorus. Add balanced XLRs, a second input, noise reduction, and the gloriously misusable sound-on-sound function, and you have the box behind records by Lee Scratch Perry, King Tubby, Portishead, and Fatboy Slim. Warm, wobbly, alive. A drum machine plays in time; this thing plays with time.

FEATURES & PROS:

• Multi-Head Tape Echo: Combine heads for rhythmic, evolving repeats no plugin quite nails. Real tape, real drift.
• Lush Spring Reverb: That evocative, splashy tank reverb heard on countless dub and pop records.
• Analog Chorus: Roland's own chorus circuit, thick and three-dimensional, stacked on top of the echo.
• Balanced XLR + Second Input: Built for the pro studio, not just the pedalboard. Slots straight into a console.
• Sound-on-Sound + Noise Reduction: Layer endlessly and keep the hiss in check. Misuse strongly encouraged.
• Top of the Space Echo Line: The most feature-complete RE Roland built. Serviced and singing.

AS USED BY

• Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby, who played the Space Echo like an instrument in dub
• Bob Marley
• Portishead and Fatboy Slim
• Underworld, Brian Eno and Radiohead

The dub pioneers worked on the earlier Space Echos; the RE-501 is the final, fullest evolution of that same line.

THE WORD: Roland's Chorus Echo is widely held to be the one tape echo to own, prized for its multi-head echo, spring reverb, analog chorus and sound-on-sound. Read the history.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Year: 1980
• Type: Tape echo / chorus / spring reverb
• Effects: multi-head tape delay, analog chorus, spring reverb, sound-on-sound
• Playback heads: multiple, selectable combinations
• Connectivity: 1/4 inch in/out, second input, balanced XLR outputs
• Features: noise reduction, free-running tape loop
• Power: mains
• Manual: Roland RE-501 owner's manual (PDF)

Further reading: Does It Really Need Recapping? An Honest Answer, With Prices