Space Echo comparison: Boss RE-2, NUX NDD-7, Boss RE-20

After the great success I had with this comparison video last year, between the NUX Tape Core and the Boss RE-20 ( • Nux Tape Core Deluxe v... ) I knew I'd have to make a follow-up video with these two, new releases from the same, two companies!
But which one is the more worthy successor to the - now discontinued - RE-20's crown?...
__________
You can help fund my future pedal experiments, by joining my patreon:
/ pedalexperiments
...or by using my digital tip jar:
www.paypal.me/slapmethrice
For more pedaltastic demos, chat and shenanigans, check out our "Noise Merchants" channel:
/ @noisemerchants1022
If you wanna chat, commission, or anything else, head over to my Instagram:
@slap_me_thrice
slap_me_thrice?...
#re20 #re2 #ndd7 #boss #nux #spaceecho #space #echo #reverb #tape #tapeecho #pedal #sos #soundonsound

[@TheCultureVultures.]

Thanks for doing this, so many demos on youtube but you're the only one so far to put up the new REs to the Re-20....

[@PedalExperiments]

Thanks! I always try to make videos that don't already exist wherever I can. 😊 Which one is your favourite?

[@o_o0_x914]

Awesome video! Thanks for this! Looking forward to the next!

[@PedalExperiments]

Glad you enjoyed it! I think I'll do the NDD-7 demo in a few days, then the RE-2 after that. Hopefully it won't take too long for the RE-202 to get here...

[@o_o0_x914]

@@PedalExperiments that sounds good! If I had to choose an order, I would choose the NDD-7, then the RE-20, and RE-2 as least. All are good in their own way. Excited to hear how the RE-202 stacks up 👍

[@PedalExperiments]

Yeah, each one has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. It ultimately just comes down to what your requirements/preferences are, I think.

[@jamescowie8445]

Thanks for this demo! I want to get the RE202 eventually but am also strongly considering the NDD7 for my everyday board as my standard delay so I'm really looking forward to your next video on the Nux. Very interested in how effective the bass and treble controls are because a lot of other channels are forgetting to show that!

[@PedalExperiments]

I'm planning to film it tomorrow and have it up in the next few days, so stay tuned!

[@ConnahJay]

I don’t know, the RE-2 sounds pretty awesome, I’d leave that WOW + Flutter cranked all the way. I’ve owned a RE-20 for 10+ years and used it a lot in the studio, really loved it but always wanted the next level.

[@depotgear]

Thank you very much for the video!! It seems that the reverb on the RE-20 has a lot more presence than the RE-2 in the maximum position. Most likely lowering the Reverb level on the RE-20 can sound identical to the RE-2 reverb at the maximum setting. The echo volume on the RE-2 also appears to be lower at the same level as the RE-20

[@PedalExperiments]

You're most welcome! 😊 Yes, you're probably right about the different levels. They're all pretty damn close to each other in sound, apart from the reverb it seems. 👍

[@depotgear]

It all seems the same to me, except that the RE-20 has more Echo and Reverb effects presence at the same volume settings on both. Also it seems that the eq of the repeats is better on the RE-20, more subtle on the RE-2. The maximum preamp level could sound bad on some amps, better on other.. certainly bad in direct 😉

[@immerwiedersonntags5744]

perfect Demo-Video. Thanks! Constant same Audio for good comparson, and most important for Delay, the short stacato sounds..

[@PedalExperiments]

Thank you! I try to be as helpful as possible with my videos. 😊

[@mattgilbert7347]

Great comparison! Subbed

[@PedalExperiments]

Many thanks! 😁 I appreciate the support.

[@5150show]

Me too

[@PedalExperiments]

Thanks very much! 😃

[@YukiTheSynthDragon]

The nux sounds great ! Nice demo.

[@PedalExperiments]

Cheers, dude! Yeah, I'm really loving the NUX. They've always consistently produced exceptional sounding effects, and their earlier Tape Core was already a fantastic alternative to the RE-20. I can easily see the NDD-7 ending up on my board.

[@gearforest9746]

Awesomeness! I did not know about the nux! They all sound great, but it is great to know there is an alternative! Great video! Thank you!

[@PedalExperiments]

Thanks! Yeah, the NDD-7 is new and not quite available yet, but it's a really awesome, modern take on the RE-20. I can definitely see it going on my board!

[@clippingdiodes]

The oscillation and the way the preamp drives the repeats have made the RE 20 a classic. The RE 2 and the Nux sound too polite for me

[@PedalExperiments]

Since filming this, NUX released an update for the NDD-7 so you can dial up the saturation and drive the repeats. I'd say it sounds way more authentic now!

[@danielcohen3159]

Nice comparison! It's very helpful hearing them side-by-side. Actually, both Boss units have reverb that's far closer to a real spring reverb. The reverb maxed on the NUX has a plate/hall sound - with almost a little shimmer effect. I think the reverb on the NUX is very cool - but it's certainly not spring-sounding and definitely not a sound that you'll find on any Roland tape units. The Boss pedals sound more like what you get when you turn a spring reverb all the way up: a splangy, sprangy metallic mess of useless noise!

[@PedalExperiments]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found this format useful. 👍 Yeah, I agree they're both close to the sound of a spring reverb...but I also don't think they're like any other spring reverb I've ever heard. Haha! I know it doesn't match the original, but I personally much prefer how the hall reverb sounds with the echo in the Nu-X. But hey, at least we all have these options so everyone can buy the one they like the sound of the most. 😊

[@danielcohen3159]

@@PedalExperiments Oh, totally! The NU-X reverb has a really cool vibe to it.

[@alexmurphy5289]

Wish the nux had stereo inputs. I know it may seem like a picky thing but it’s important to have both inputs and outputs if you’re going to have that capability

[@PedalExperiments]

Yeah, that's one of the few advantages the RE-2 has over the Nu-X, I'm afraid.

[@GNeuman]

My RE-202 arrived yesterday and I've owned the RE-20 since 2010 plus I owned an original RE-201 from 2006 until 2019. I've also got a Strymon El Capistan and a Volante...Now, they are all absolutely superb delays but in terms of emulating the original 201, the new 202 is the closest to my ears. The spring reverb is absolutely spot on as well as the tape-like nature of new 202 emulation. Oh, and absolutely no regrets in selling the original, it was a bastard to keep running, the tape made this really annoying noise as it passed over the heads which I found irritating (not loud, this is totally normal for them) plus they are HUGE! Before people start saying it was defective, it was actually in perfect running order. Within a year of buying the bloody thing, a massive amount of wow and flutter started so I shipped it to the one guy who repaired Roland Space Echoes in the UK and has long since moved to Brazil. It needed a new motor, so he fitted a refurbished one. He did a great job but the repair, shipping and import costs were eye- watering. Then I changed the capstan, bushes etc from a spares kit from a guy in Australia which weren't cheap. Then you should change the tapes every so often as well as de-magnetizing the heads with a degausser every so often...Never had so much trouble with one piece of equipment and I own a vintage Minimoog and ARP Odyssey Mark III which have had to have had loads of work done on them to bring them up to scratch. Good demo....thanks.

[@PedalExperiments]

Wow! I knew those units were a bit of a pain in the ass to maintain, but that sounds nuts! I totally understand why you'd want to sell it. Thanks for your insight into the RE-202! I'm still waiting for mine, so your review just makes me more excited to get my hands on it. 😁 I'm really keen to compare it with the NUX, as well...

[@zaffrolumpkins]

how do you find the 202 compared to the volante? I feel like I would miss the stereo panning and the effect when multiple heads are on but no feedback is happening

[@GNeuman]

@@zaffrolumpkins they are very different sounding delays. I love the Volante and I think Strymon make excellent products, their support is superb too. Top company.

[@TropicalFuzz]

The RE 202 is so much better than the RE 20? For me, in demos, the RE 202 sounded a little tamed!

[@GNeuman]

@@TropicalFuzz to my ears it sounds close to the original though.

[@Aint1S]

Odd to hear how people talk about the original being old when you just got into your 20's at the time it came out! NUX did take it though!

[@braddersthemod]

Really interesting hearing all the reverbs back to back. The Nux sounds lovely! The RE-20 reverb seems to have alot of upper mids to it, which is probably why it sounds awful in isolation, but cuts through in the mix quite well with other instruments. Very interesting!

[@PedalExperiments]

That's a really interesting observation about the RE-20. Yeah, I can definitely see why that would be useful! 👍

[@MrBallynally2]

the RE20 always had this upper mid spike even without reverb which just makes it worse. It is THE reason i sold mine. It seems the newbies have the same issue so it is the NUX for me. Thanks for the comparison!

[@MrBallynally2]

And the NUX reverb is much better.

[@PedalExperiments]

I'm sure you'll love it! Just gotta wait a few months for it to be available. 👍

[@Eggsisreallychicken]

Re-2 by a long shot, to my ears

[@voiceofexperience]

The NUX has those 3 little tape heads... I love them! Also, the Boss is just too fiddly & cramped for my big fat hands!

[@granap]

I would have prefered if you didn't include those chord stabs in the loop, but other than that, an excellent demo that showcased the similarities and differences in features and sounds.

[@PedalExperiments]

Thanks! 🙂 Yeah, tbh coming up with a loop that shows the pedal I'm demoing at its best, is probably the hardest part of the process for me. Most of the time, I'm reasonably happy with the loop I use, but sometimes I record a bit of a "dud". Thanks for watching!

[@stevenvandemsky7290]

I think the chord stabs are great to showcase the decay of the delay sound.

[@FullMetalDMZ]

Have you matched the sounds of the NDD7 to the RE20 like you did with the Tape Core? Does the NDD7 sound as good as the Tape core in your opinion?

[@PedalExperiments]

I've had a busy week tbh, so no I haven't tried matching the sounds exactly. Mostly because I'm pretty sure the NDD-7 uses the same algorithm as the Tape Core, just with more features and easier parameter adjustment. It definitely sounds just as good as its predecessor to me, anyway! I might do a more focused comparison in a future video...

[@FullMetalDMZ]

@@PedalExperiments awesome man! Looking forward to seeing that video! $250 for the boss is just ridiculous in my opinion. Just trying to decide between the Tape Core or the NDD7! Thanks!

[@PedalExperiments]

The NDD-7 won't be available until around August, so I would grab a Tape Core to tide you over until then! 😎

[@FullMetalDMZ]

@@PedalExperiments definitely, I’m waiting for it to go on sale 😂

[@weedlee2593]

Why do you have a re2. I thought it haven’t released yet

[@PedalExperiments]

No, they just started shipping out to stores last week. I preordered mine from Andertons as soon as it was announced, and they delivered it to me on Saturday.

[@Mosaic_Mirror]

My bday in 29 days

[@simonlockley2854]

Great review. Wanted the Nux but wanted stereo inputs more. Re2 overpriced imo so ended up going for a used Digitech obscura.

[@PedalExperiments]

Ah, nice one! Always wanted to try an Obscura. 👍

[@peterkelly8357]

I was looking at the NUX unit on Amazon UK a few days ago, there were quite a lot of negative reviews regarding it’s quality.

[@PedalExperiments]

The NDD-7 isn't available to buy until about August, so I'm not sure what reviews you've read? They've always been a more "budget" brand, so most of their older pedals have obviously used cheaper components compared to more expensive pedals. But where NUX have always excelled themselves, is in the quality of the actual effects. I've owned many NUX pedals, and they all sounded exceptionally good. Sure, their older units have often felt more "fragile" than my other, more expensive pedals, but I've never personally had any of them break on me. As long as you're gentle with them, they're fine. That said, NUX have really upped their game in recent years, and now the quality of the components seems to now match the high quality of the sounds they produce. I can assure you that this NDD-7 feels just as solid as any other pedal I've tried. I would recommend trying their stuff for yourself, rather that listening to the vocal minority of snobbish naysayers.

[@5150show]

Can’t fault the nux

[@rareform6747]

RE-20

[@waterpig84]

Yup, it also smiles at you

[@PedalExperiments]

For sure! It's the friendliest pedal I know of.

[@TropicalFuzz]

It´s my ears or the RE20 sounded more like the real deal than the RE2 ???

[@PedalExperiments]

I've never tried "the real deal", tbh. My goal in this video was solely to compare the RE-2 and the NDD-7 to the RE-20.

[@TropicalFuzz]

@@PedalExperiments and what you prefer, re 20 or re 2? Happy Easter 🐇

[@PedalExperiments]

I definitely prefer the NUX. Hahaha! Out of those two though, the RE-20 is the slightly more versatile option, I think.

[@TropicalFuzz]

@@PedalExperiments hahahaha cool!

[@xsm5525]

your ears. I have both the RE20 and RE2 and the RE2 is so much better in sound.

[@Danielallanz]

Re20 is the best..it has the most character

[@PedalExperiments]

That little smiling face on the front is pretty adorable. 😊

[@jamiemorgan4146]

The re20 sucked. I’m interested in tne difference between the NUX NDD7 vs the Boss re 202 and the re2

[@PedalExperiments]

I wouldn't say it sucks. It just has a character all its own. It might not be for everyone, but then we all like different things. 🙂 I'll definitely do another comparison once I get my RE-202!

[@Yountica]

@@PedalExperiments Agreed. I love the higher fidelity of the new pedal, but I still love the sounds I get out of my re20.

[@richietownsend6737]

It sucked for you.

[@Mosaic_Mirror]

Sell meeee oneeee

[@PedalExperiments]

Haha, well the RE-20 isn't mine, and the NDD-7 was given to me for free and is totally awesome, so that's going nowhere. However, the RE-2 will probably go, once I've filmed all the videos I want with it.

[@skypekai]

RE-20 preamp is disgusting. Tin sounding shite, get rid.