#re-501

I finally did it...I am now the owner of a 1979 Roland RE-201 Space Echo Tape Delay head unit. (Photo from the NYC shop I ordered it from, top of the pile). I can't even remember how long I've wanted one of these. Since I got to actually use a tape echo (Korg stage echo) at work first hand for the first time a few months back.I can only describe them as they're such captivating, fascinating machines that no guitar pedal could ever replicate in sound, presence or value. So many life-changing music artists used (all three of) these to record some timeless albums in the 70's and 80's. I can't wait to get it, merry christmas to myself this year.

The RE-501 was Roland's last (and best) tape echo. They simultaneously released a rackmount version of the RE-501 known as the SRE-555. The RE-501 uses Roland's free running tape system that minimizes wow and flutter and extends the life of the tape to more than 300 hours of use. The 501 is a studio oriented machine, with convenient balanced inputs and outputs. It also features spring reverb, an analog chorus, and sound on sound recording, much like the RE-301 before it.

Noise in the Ammo Can - Exploring the Grendel Drone Commander.