NEWS  Musical Instruments  November 10, 2023  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

For decades, the renowned Japanese company Roland has been a staple in the guitar equipment industry, delivering a diverse array of pedals and accessories under the distinguished sub-brand BOSS. The BOSS lineup, known for its rich history and innovative designs, has consistently catered to the needs of guitar enthusiasts worldwide.

A standout in the BOSS pedal catalog is the 200 series, and within this collection, the RV-200 reverb pedal has recently emerged as a captivating addition. This pedal exemplifies a perfect blend of functionality, stereo capability, and user-friendly design.

At the heart of the RV-200 is a reverb engine powered by a custom BOSS DSP, equipped with 32-bit AD/DA converters, 32-bit floating point processing, and an impressive sampling rate of 96 kHz. This technological prowess ensures glitch-free, high-quality effects, setting a new standard in the realm of reverb pedals.

The RV-200 boasts 12 distinctive reverb algorithms, ranging from classic tones like room, hall, plate, and spring to more adventurous options like shimmer, slowverb, modulate, lo-fi, reverse, and the newly developed arpverb. Each algorithm, according to BOSS, promises studio-quality reverbs with exceptional detail and definition—a claim that begs validation through comprehensive reviews.

Navigating through the RV-200 is an intuitive experience, characteristic of the BOSS 200 series. The pedal features dedicated hardware controls for essential parameters such as reverb time, effect level, pre-delay, and adjustable high and low pass filters. The density control allows users to fine-tune the weight of the sound, while the parameter control unveils hidden tone-shaping options unique to each reverb type. With the ability to store programmed reverbs in 127 memory locations, the RV-200 empowers users with a wide palette of sonic possibilities.

Enhancing the user experience further, the RV-200 is equipped with two onboard foot switches that provide comprehensive control over effects—enabling functions like bypassing the effect, scrolling through presets, and holding the reverb. Creativity knows no bounds with assignable performance FX such as warp, twist, and fade.

In terms of connectivity, the RV-200 doesn't disappoint. Featuring stereo inputs and outputs on 6.35mm mono sockets, an expression pedal input, and a power supply socket at the back, it covers the essentials. Notably, the pedal incorporates a MIDI interface on the side with input and output on mini-jack sockets, offering full MIDI support for controlling various functions. A USB port is also included, showcasing Roland's commitment to modern connectivity standards.

The BOSS RV-200, with its cutting-edge technology, versatile reverb algorithms, and user-friendly interface, this pedal opens up a realm of creative possibilities for guitarists. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, the RV-200 is poised to redefine your sonic landscape.

(Images by Boss/Roland)