Galaxy Tape Echo
by Universal Audio · Delay · Tape echo
vst3s Score 8.6/10 · rated #4 of 10 delays
A model of a classic multi-head tape echo with its spring reverb. It covers subtle tape delay through to wild self-oscillation, complete with distortion, wow and flutter, and pitch shifting.
It runs natively or on Apollo and UAD-2 hardware.
Best for: Guitars, Vocals, Drums, Keys & Synths. Genres: Rock & Indie, Ambient & Cinematic, Lo-Fi.
Keywords: tape, tape echo, spring, dub, hardware emulation, wobble, 70s, classic, drums, electric guitar, flutter, pitch-shifting, vintage, vocals, keys, licensed emulation, mixing, lo-fi, colored, extreme, lush, modern, subtle, tempo-synced.
What it does
Galaxy Tape Echo is Universal Audio's model of the 1973 Roland RE-201 Space Echo, a tape delay and spring reverb unit. UA pitches it for "lush, dub-style delays and psychedelic spring reverb."
- Mode Selector: 12 echo/reverb modes from different head combinations: four echo only, seven echo plus reverb, and one reverb only.
- Repeat Rate and Intensity: set the timing and the number of repeats, right up to self-oscillation.
- Tape character: wow and flutter and pitch-shifting effects, with a tape age setting that mimics new, used and old tape.
- Spring reverb: with its own volume and pan, alongside echo volume and pan.
- Modern extras: Tempo Sync, an Echo/Normal switch, and global Bass and Treble.
Source: Universal Audio product page
When to use it
Galaxy Tape Echo is the rated pick for one specific sound: the Space Echo, with its wobbly tape repeats and spring reverb. EchoBoy includes a Space Echo style among many others, and Arturia Delay TAPE-201 models the same RE-201; Galaxy is known for how the repeats degrade and how good its spring reverb sounds. For clean, flexible or modulated delays, ValhallaDelay, Timeless 3 or H-Delay are better choices.
- Best for: dub echoes and feedback swells, vintage guitar and vocal delays, and spring reverb on keys, guitars and drums.
- Genres: dub, reggae, psychedelic, indie, rock, lo-fi, hip-hop and soul.
- Look elsewhere if: you need clean, precise digital repeats or modern features like multi-tap or ducking.
- Tip: push Intensity into self-oscillation and ride Repeat Rate for classic dub throws.
What producers say
Users praise its colour and ease of use; hardware owners say it gets close to a real Space Echo but is a little tamer.
- UA customer reviews (4.7/5 from 318 reviews) praise how it "adds color and depth" and makes parts fuller, and one user liked that it "lacks the complicated nomenclature of other delays."
- Gearspace users (2018 thread) found it good enough for mixing and handy for recall and automation; one said "the character is almost there" but missed the real unit's "almost liquid quality."
- Gripe: one UA customer found it "not very subtle", and Gearspace users felt it lacks the natural tape ducking and wildness of the hardware.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $29
- Universal Audio: $29
- Plugin Boutique: $29 (regular $49)
- PluginFox: $29 (regular $49)
- AudioDeluxe: $29 (regular $49)
Tutorials and reviews
- UAD Quick Tips: Galaxy Tape Echo (Universal Audio)
- The UAD GALAXY TAPE ECHO guide tutorial walk through (XNB)
- UAD & UADx Galaxy Tape Echo Secrets
- Universal Audio's Galaxy Tape Echo Plugin: Features and More!
- Enhance Drums with UAD Galaxy Tape Echo
Similar plugins
- Delay TAPE-201 by Arturia · Tape echo · $79
- TD-201 by Black Rooster Audio · Space Echo-style tape echo · $49
- Stellar Echo SD-201 by Slate Digital · Tape echo · $74.50
- Stardust 201 by Cherry Audio · Roland Space Echo style tape echo · $19
- Outer Space 2 by AudioThing · Tape echo emulation · $64.87
- Space Age 555 by Audiority · Tape echo with spring reverb and chorus · $69
- NA 501 Chorus Echo by Nembrini Audio · Tape echo with chorus and spring reverb · $99.99
- Space Delay by IK Multimedia · Tape-style delay · $99.99
- Tape Echo by AIR Music Technology · Multi-head tape delay · $99
- Tape Echoes by Softube · Tape echo · $99
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