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Boss delights all by finally releasing its RV-200 Reverb Workstation - and yes it really is well worth the wait!

Nov 9, 202308:00 by

Stefan Karlsson

Ambient EffectsBossDigital ReverbPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse ReverbShimmer ReverbSpacey ReverbSpring Reverb+-

Readers will know that I’m a huge fan of Boss’s 200 series - particularly the SY-200 and DD-200 units. For the size and price - the DD-200 really is my go-to Delay - with the absolute perfect mix of Algorithms. And Boss has exactly repeated that magical formula for the RV-200 - delivering the perfect mix of algorithms, features and functions - with one really cool entirely new one - the Arpverb (Arpeggiated Reverb).

It’s probably best to jump right into the algorithms, where it initially looks like there is more than 1 new one - but nearly all of those exist already on either the RV-6 or RV-500 units in some guise. In fact the RV-500 has 2 multi-mode algorithm selections - SFX (Lo-Fi / Slowverb / Storm) and Non-Linear (Gate / Reverse / Non-Linear) where several of those selections put in an appearance on the RV-200 :

1 : ROOM [also on RV-6 and RV-500]

2 : HALL [also on RV-6 and RV-500]

3 : PLATE [also on RV-6 and RV-500]

4 : SPRING [also on RV-6 and RV-500]

5 : SHIMMER [also on RV-6 and RV-500]

6 : ARPVERB - BRAND NEW!

7 : SLOWVERB [also on RV-500 : SFX]

8 : MODULATE [also on RV-6]

9 : +DELAY [also on RV-6]

10 : LO-FI [also on RV-500 : SFX]

11 : GATE [also on RV-500 : Non-Linear]

12 : REVERSE [also on RV-500 : Non-Linear]

I’ve had the RV-200 on the board for a number of weeks now - and like its DD-200 sibling it’s so easy to use. I’ve sampled all the Modes / Algorithms by now - while most of my time has been spent on the new Arpverb - a sort of staircase shimmer style verb to a degree stepping up and then down within the same cycle - which works best with a little Pre-Delay - at least for me. I’ve also spent quite a bit of time on the Slowverb, while my current regular aways-on verb is the Plate variety.

I’ve not dived much into the Global Menu (see settings below) - really just to mess around with the Hold Footswitch mode options.

I expect this to be every bit as successful as the DD-200 - which I prefer to the DD-500, and while I really love the RV-500 too - that does have a degree of inherent complexity - where the RV-200 is about as straightforward as these kinds of pedals get. And it sound glorious and gorgeous to me - for sure some will say that it’s not as Pristine as say the CXM1978 or Wet Algorithm on the Illumine - where I always takes those statements with a pinch of salt. But like the DD-200 - it really is the perfect mix of algorithms, features, functions - in the right enclosure size, and at the right price. Glad to have this long-desired pedal finally onboard. Now it’s just the FZ-2W and PN-2W to go! (We hope!).

For fun - and as per the above visual you can compare my predicted version from 2021 - with the the actual released version - where I'm proud to say I was mostly on the money! Obviously I could not guess at the also brand new Density Control - but I’m pretty darn close on most everything else! :

In terms of my Algorithm Predictions - you can say that my ’Swell’ matches the actual ’Slowverb’, and that my ’Space Echo’ is pretty much equivalent to ’+Delay’. So really I just got ’Dual’ and ’Dynamic’ wrong - where on the real thing those are replaced by the brand new ’Arpverb’, and ’Gate’ which I’m very happy to have instead!

You really could not ask for a better mix of Algorithms and features than what the RV-200 delivers. Of course the Source Audio Venris remains a very strong competitor in that space - and that allows you to double up on the Algorithms - which in truth is a little bit more of a nice to have than essential. I’m delighted to own both!

Everything is very much surface-based and fully intuitive for this style of pedal - with just a couple of intangible complexities. My only niggle really is that Boss has reverted to the older style of 200 Series enclosures - versus the cooler evolved editions for the SY-200 and IR-200. I guess they wanted to keep it in line with the DD-200 and MD-200 - and also help keep the costs down!

The two areas of slight complexity are -

Firstly - the Param dial being quitedifferent for each algorithm :

1 : Room : PARAM = Room Size - 4 Options
2 : Hall : PARAM = Hall Size - 3 Options
3 : Plate : PARAM = Lo Damping to the left, Hi Damping to the right (sort of EQ)
4 : Spring : PARAM = Number of Springs : 1-3
5 : Shimmer : PARAM = Release
6 : Arpverb : PARAM = Attack
7 : Slowverb : PARAM = Direct Level
8 : Modulate : PARAM = Modulation Depth
9 : Delay : PARAM = Delay Level
10 : Lo-Fi : PARAM = Distortion
11 : Gate : PARAM = Threshold
12 : Reverse : PARAM = High Cut

And secondly the different Footswitch and Expression functions - which can be set Globally or per Preset :

On/Off Footswitch - On/Off [Short] | Memory Down / On/Off [Hold] | Memory Up / On/Off [Hold] | Manual | Memory 1-126

You can offload most of those functions to Remote CTL switch unit too - or use Expression pedal against selected Knob Params. All set via global menu - which you access by pressing [Density] and [Memory] buttons simultaneously. You then have access to the following core settings :

CrY - Carryover / Trails
SWF - On/Off Function
MFC - Memory Function
C1F - CTL1 Function
C2F - CTL2 Function
EPF - Expression Function
EPm - Expression Min
EPM - Expression Max
SWP - On/Off Preference
MEP - Memory Preference
C1P - CTL1 Preference
C2P - CTL2 Preference
EPP - Expression Preference
out - Output Mode
EtF - Memory Extent From
Ett - Memory Extent To
rCh - Receive MIDI Channel
tCh - MIDI Transmit Channel
Pin - PC In
Pot - PC Out
CCI - CC In (CC = Controller Number)
CCo - CC Out
tMC[] - Time CC[]
PdC[] - Pre-Delay CC[]
ELC - E. Level CC
PrC[] - Param CC[]
LoC[] - Low CC[]
HiC[] - Hi CC[]
SWC - On/Off Switch CC
MEC - Memory CC
C1C[] - CTL1 CC[]
C2C[] - CTL2 CC[]
EPC - Expression CC
EFC - Effect On/Off CC
Mth - MIDI Thru
P1-P9 = P1 - P9
P10-P99 = P10 - P99
P.00 - P.28 = P100 - P128

Front Facia Controls - 3-Digit Display, Time, Pre-Delay, Effect Level, Mode : Room / Hall / Plate / Spring / Shimmer / Arpverb / Slowverb / Modulate / +Delay / Lo-Fi / Gate / Reverse, Param, Low, High, Density [Hold for Panel Lock], Memory [Hold to Save] : Manual / 1-4, On/Off Footswitch, Memory/Hold Footswitch.

Rear Ports - A/Mono In, B In, A/Mono Out, B Out, CTL 1,2/EXP, 9V DC [-] 260mA

Left Side Panel - Mini MIDI Out / Mini MIDI In, USB-Micro-B for updates

Key Features / Specs

The RV-200 delivers inspiring reverbs and premium sound in the streamlined BOSS 200 series design. Twelve versatile reverb types—including the newly developed Arpverb—provide everything from subtle spatial colour to complex, dreamy textures for ambient explorations.

Quickly dial in sounds with the fast-access interface. Save favorites in 127 memories. And take performances to the next level with flexible onboard footswitches, deep external control support, and head-turning creative tools like Warp, Twist, and more.

Premium BOSS reverb processing in a streamlined pedal
Class-leading sound quality with 32-bit AD/DA, 32-bit floating point processing, and
96 kHz sampling rate
Twelve distinctive reverb types, including the newly developed Arpverb
Fast, easy operation with hands-on controls
127 user memories for storing sounds
Density control with six stages
Param knob to access extended functions within each reverb type
Selectable carryover for maintaining reverb trails when switching presets or bypassing
the effect
Stereo I/O with wet/dry and dry mute output options
Two assignable footswitches
Expressive Hold, Warp, and Twist effects available via footswitch control
Deep external control support via footswitches, an expression pedal, and TRS MIDI I/O
Connect and control multiple 200 series pedals at once via MIDI
Panel lock function to avoid accidental sound changes
Powered via three AA batteries or optional AC adaptor
Power Requirements : 9V DC [-] 260mA Current Draw
Dimensions : 101 (W) x 138 (D) x 63 (H) mm
Weight : 610g
MAP / RRP : $297 | €299 | £260