Multi-Head Tape Delays: Roland RE-201, RE-20 & Strymon Volante

Published 10 Jul 2020

We compare an original Roland RE-201 Space Echo with the RE-20 pedal, Strymon Volante and EchoFix EF-X2.

Life too short for long YouTube videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.

Welcome to the episode. A little while back, Dan and I did a video on single-head tape delays based on our love of the Echoplex sound. You can watch it here:
Now it’s the turn of the multi-head tape machine, specifically the classic Roland RE-201 Space Echo that debuted all the way back in 1974. We have some simple questions…
How much does the old, analogue RE-201 sound like the ‘new’ RE-20 digital pedal?
What about the EchoFix and the Strymon Volante?
Can Dan put together a Heath-Robinson pedalboard that simulates what a multi-head tape delay does?
Let’s do this – enjoy the episode!


Pedals & stuff in this episode…

• TheGigRig Three2One


• Boss RE-20 Space Echo
UK & Europe:
USA:

• Vintage Roland RE-201 Space Echo


• Echo Fix EF-X2

Australia:

• Strymon Volante
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USA:
Australia:

• CornerStone Gladio V1


• Analogman King Of Tone


• Origin Effects Cali76-CD
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USA:
Australia:

• Jam Pedals Ripply Fall
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Australia:

Dan's Deconstructed Multi Head Delay
• Hudson Broadcast
UK & Europe:
Australia:

• Union Tube & Transistor LAB
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• TC Electronic Flashback Mini
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USA:
Australia:

• Boss DD-3T
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• Boss VB-2w Waza Craft Vibrato
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Australia:

• Xotic Effects RC Booster
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• Carl Martin HeadRoom Spring Reverb


• JHS Summing Amp
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Australia:

• TheGigRig Wetter Box

UK & Europe:
Australia:

• Dunlop DVP4 Volume X Mini
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Australia:

• TheGigRig G2


* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here:


Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 00:00
- What are we doing today?: 03:22
- Simple demo of multi-head: 06:10
- RE-20 and RE-201 comparison: 12:35
- What about modulation?: 21:35
- EchoFix EF-X2: 24:15
- Strymon Volante: 27:15
- Stereo panning Volante: 29:26
- What’s in a multi-head delay?: 38:18
- Dan’s Build-A-Board multi-head delay explanation: 40:45
- Closing thoughts and conclusions: 53:45
- Dan plays us out: 56:30

Guitars in this episode:
• 1965 Fender Telecaster - no video yet
• 1961 Fender Stratocaster - no video yet
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster – Mick’s video at

Amps in this episode
• Matchless HC-30 with Matchless ESD 212 Celestion G12M Greenback speaker and Celestion G12H Anniversary speakers
• Two Rock Classic Reverb Signature with Two-Rock 212 cabinet / TR 1265B speakers

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