Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal Review

The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal is the most fun I have had with a pedal in a long time.

Talk about tracking perfection, the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal doesn’t miss anything and the sounds that it creates are just simply, well, amazing and latency-free! I’ve tried quite a few bass synth pedals and I haven’t had one come even close to what the Boss SY-1 can do in terms of the abundance of synth tones and the perfect response it produces in playing single notes or chords, yes, even on bass.

Each type of synth, and there are eight of them, with each one having eleven variations plus the ability to change the tone depth and rate, and the amount of the effect and direct signal. Boss states there are a total of 121 sounds, and connecting a footswitch or expression pedal adds even more to what you can control with the pedal such as tap tempo, octave-shift effects, and tone and rate control. 

The eight types of synths available are lead, pad, bass, strings (STR), organ, bell, sound effects (SFX), and pulsating sounds (SEQ).

The lead, sound effects (SFX), and pulsating sounds (SEQ) each have a choice of two sounds. Breaking those down a little further, lead is for single note soloing, pad is great for chords for everything from layered pads and more, including brass. Bass is that fat bass synth sound. Strings are the classic analog-style and organ is pretty much self-explanatory. Bell is percussive synth sounds with a metallic resonance, and the last two, sound effects include one-shots, pitch/filter voicing, and more, and lastly, the pulsating sounds are rhythmic pitch or filter changes. With the send and return loop, you can also add your other pedals for even more signal processing.

It doesn’t stop there with the Boss SY-1!

Holding the pedal down makes the last note or chord you play sustain, which allows you to be creative and add even more, for instance jamming over it or playing a solo. It not only works great with bass, but it also works with guitar as well. There is a small toggle switch at the front of the pedal near the power adapter connection to allow you to choose between bass or guitar for the pedal.

The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal can be powered by a Boss PSA adapter (DC 9 Volt) or a 9-volt battery.

Wanna have some fun and add some great tones to your gigs? Check out the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal online or at a music retailer near you!

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