GS-201 Mark II

by GSi · Delay · Space Echo-style tape echo

Not rated yet

GS-201 Mark II is a tape echo from GSi modelled on the RE-201 Space Echo, with tape length and quality controls and spring reverb.

It adds tempo sync, an RE-501-style chorus and head azimuth controls, for $45.

Best for: Guitars, Vocals, Keys & Synths. Genres: Rock & Indie, Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: tape echo, tape, hardware emulation, spring, chorus, inspired by, tempo-synced, lo-fi, vocals, wobble, AUv3/iOS, dub, electric guitar, synths, 70s, BBD, deep, metering, MIDI-controllable, mixing, samples & loops, vintage, wide.

What it does

GS-201 Mark II is GSi's emulation of the Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape machine, rebuilt with controls the hardware never had. The developer's aim was to "capture the magic of the Space Echo" in the computer.

Tape transport: tape length adjustable from 1 to 4 meters, plus tape quality, tape junction and motor lag simulation for the wobble and drift of a real loop.
Heads: adjustable head quality and azimuth alignment for every head, so you can make the machine sound freshly serviced or badly worn.
Tempo sync: host tempo sync with 16 divisions.
Stereo: a stereo mode with adjustable width, beyond the mono original.
Noise: separate hiss and hum settings for the machine's background noise.
RE-501 extras: a BBD chorus and a sound-on-sound pickup head taken from the RE-501 Chorus Echo.
Spring reverb: an emulation of the built-in spring tank.
Control and presets: MIDI Learn with custom maps, an output level control, and 128 programs with import and export.

The developer's page lists version 1.0.1 (KVR lists 1.0.2). The developer offers an audio demo but no trial.

Source: GSi product page

When to use it

GS-201 Mark II is the pick for players who want to tweak the tape machine itself, not just its echoes. Compared with Delay TAPE-201, it adds tape length, azimuth, tape junction and motor lag controls plus an RE-501-style chorus and sound-on-sound head. Compared with Galaxy Tape Echo, it costs less. Unlike EchoBoy, it models one machine only, so it has no other delay styles or groove controls.

Best for: Space Echo-style tape delays with spring reverb, dub throws and worn, wobbly echoes on guitar, vocals and synths.
Genres: rock, dub, reggae, electronic and ambient.
Look elsewhere if: you want many delay styles in one plugin (EchoBoy) or deep modulation and filtering (Timeless 3).

What producers say

Little in-depth press coverage turned up; forum users greeted the iOS release warmly, mainly for the realism of the emulation.

Loopy Pro forum (2022): users praised the developer as "very passionate about realism" and said the desktop version is "nice"; one noted the head spacing timing is captured well.
Compared there: users weighed it against Cherry Audio Stardust 201 and AudioThing Outer Space, and favoured GSi's version for authenticity over a cheaper iOS rival.

Loopy Pro forum thread

Where to buy

GSi: $45

Tutorials and reviews

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