"FUCKING YES!" - the Boss RE-2/202 hype thread

[parry]

Having said that, the 201 sounds noticeably better than the 202 in that last video...

I was feeling that, too. There's less than zero comparison between runaway sounds and I can live without that "twist" function... but I'm fortunate in that I've never had an OG 201 so I have nothing for my playing ears to compare with. This is just a new pedal that offers most of the features and sounds i've been attempting to get by combining various other pedals, so it's very appealing on that level. I'm pretty certain the enhanced fidelity/brightness of the 202 would work better in the context of our band as well.

[Jaguar018]

I had a RE-201 for a bit and it was great. There was one time when I heard that "magic preamp" sound--yet other times I didn't notice it.

More than that, just knowing that I had this thing that needed regular maintenance stressed me out (whether or not it really did). I don't really care about getting dings on guitars and things like that, but that awesome RE-201 just got to me, so I sold it on.

The 202 is just what I need. It probably doesn't sound like the 'best' version of a 201, but it is super close and it's way less stress and maintenance.

[Telliot]

^^^

This. What kept me from ever buying a vintage one was anecdotes like this. I’m not super interested in owning more things that need constant maintenance (anyone else own a piano?). It’s probably mostly in my head and owning one that has been serviced would be completely fine with a little bit of know-how on my part, but the cost vs value thing always weighs on me. This pedal might not be a perfect 1:1 (and anyway the examples I’ve heard over the years all sounded different from each other), but it sounds pretty damn close to my ears, and costs a fraction of a real Space Echo without any maintenance or worry.

[Meriphew]

This demo is really good. I'm flush with with delays right now (DIG, Timeline, Raster 2, Tonal Recall RKM, Thermae, Free The Tone Future Factory), but I'm going to get a RE-2.

https://youtu.be/P-kUiFDi0Io

[BTL]

I'm definitely intrigued by this...hmmm.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I was definitely surprised by the 202, but honestly, I like the RE-2 because of its smaller form factor, and would only really consider the 2 personally.

[Unicorn Warrior]

I was definitely surprised by the 202, but honestly, I like the RE-2 because of its smaller form factor, and would only really consider the 2 personally.

They’re both super cool. I really want the big one because it looks so rad and for the tap tempo. However, you you don’t need tap, I’d say the small one would be more efficient in regards to what you’re getting and the pedalboard space.

[JVG]

I caved and pre-ordered the 202.

The RE-2 definitely looks awesome, and i love the compact size, but I’m worried the concentric knobs may be a little fiddly to manipulate.

Additional factors that sold me on the 202:
- fourth tape head, and resulting extra rhythmic options
- saturation knob (and option to have it only affecting repeats, or the entire signal)
- option to have reverb or no reverb with any delay selection
- new/aged tape button
- simple and aesthetically pleasing layout, so idiots like me can operate it easily (including visualisation of heads selected).

[Meriphew]

I was definitely surprised by the 202, but honestly, I like the RE-2 because of its smaller form factor, and would only really consider the 2 personally.

They’re both super cool. I really want the big one because it looks so rad and for the tap tempo. However, you you don’t need tap, I’d say the small one would be more efficient in regards to what you’re getting and the pedalboard space.

The Re-2 has tap tempo onboard.

[Unicorn Warrior]

I was definitely surprised by the 202, but honestly, I like the RE-2 because of its smaller form factor, and would only really consider the 2 personally.

They’re both super cool. I really want the big one because it looks so rad and for the tap tempo. However, you you don’t need tap, I’d say the small one would be more efficient in regards to what you’re getting and the pedalboard space.

The Re-2 has tap tempo onboard.

It does! I forgot about that. I will say that I still prefer a designated tap, rather than putting a pedal into tap mode. But still, the re-2 is a viable option for space saving. Glad both of these pedals exist

[WSquires]

I caved and pre-ordered the 202.

The RE-2 definitely looks awesome, and i love the compact size, but I’m worried the concentric knobs may be a little fiddly to manipulate.

Additional factors that sold me on the 202:
- fourth tape head, and resulting extra rhythmic options
- saturation knob (and option to have it only affecting repeats, or the entire signal)
- option to have reverb or no reverb with any delay selection
- new/aged tape button
- simple and aesthetically pleasing layout, so idiots like me can operate it easily (including visualisation of heads selected).

Just pre-ordered the 202 as well for all the same reasons. Sure it takes up more space, but the extra features seem worth it

[natthu]

I was definitely surprised by the 202, but honestly, I like the RE-2 because of its smaller form factor, and would only really consider the 2 personally.

They’re both super cool. I really want the big one because it looks so rad and for the tap tempo. However, you you don’t need tap, I’d say the small one would be more efficient in regards to what you’re getting and the pedalboard space.

The Re-2 has tap tempo onboard.

It looks like Tap Tempo can be controlled externally via the CTL socket (I haven't found difinitive info either way yet, anyone know?).
External control is more useful to me for syncing... so the 2 is probably 99% of the usefulness of the 202 for my use.

[Futuron]

They’re both super cool. I really want the big one because it looks so rad and for the tap tempo. However, you you don’t need tap, I’d say the small one would be more efficient in regards to what you’re getting and the pedalboard space.

The Re-2 has tap tempo onboard.

It looks like Tap Tempo can be controlled externally via the CTL socket (I haven't found difinitive info either way yet, anyone know?).
External control is more useful to me for syncing... so the 2 is probably 99% of the usefulness of the 202 for my use.

Yes, it's the same as the DD-8

[Jaguar018]

I have one of those dumb playing on stage 'trauma' stories about using the tap tempo switch with an El Cap pedal. I also have, on more than one occasion, flubbed getting the tap tempo right during band practice with a two-in-one switch.

I realize that this problem is more about my tap-tempo pedal incompetence, but it is now something that I am always aware of (the switches... and my incompetence ). If they had not introduced the RE-202 I would have bought the RE-2 and added a tap-tempo switch. Any talk of precious pedalboard real estate being saved with the RE-2 is negated by my need of an external tap.

[parry]

I've been thinking about pros/cons of these two formats quite a lot. The nice thing about the RE-2 having external tap, is that I can DIY up a third jack on my "controller" and sync it to my DD7 and DD8; and control the tempo of all three at once - to either switch delays or run multiples (as I do with my 7/8).

After watching this demo and learning about/hearing the "secret" preamp setting (@2:30-ish)
I think I've landed on the RE-2. And it's cheaper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFeAU46 ... annysMusic

Plus trails! How great is that?!