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BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer featuring Thomas McRocklinplay button

BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer featuring Thomas McRocklin

collapse expand iconDescription

The SY-1 Synthesizer effects pedal from BOSS, one of the leading guitar effects innovators, is a compact yet mighty pedal that transforms any electric guitar or bass into an analog-style synthesizer. Packed with 121 responsive synth sounds across 11 categories, the SY-1 offers musicians, producers and live performers an inspiring sonic palette for limitless creativity.

Over 100 Analog-Style Synth Sounds at Your Feet

The SY-1 puts a universe of synth tones in an easy-to-use stompbox. Its huge selection of 11 sound categories include expressive leads, lush pads, layered organs, thunderous basses and rhythmic synth patterns that are a blast to jam with. Crafted with advanced DSP technology, the SY-1's 121 polyphonic sounds are ultraresponsive and natural sounding. They range from searing leads and sweeping pads to percussive bells and pulsing sequences. The SY-1 makes it simple to infuse your music with vintage analog flavor.

Plug and Play Like a Standard Stompbox

Despite its formidable synth power, the SY-1 is as easy to use as a typical overdrive pedal. Just plug your guitar or bass into the SY-1's standard 1/4" input, select a sound and play. Thanks to BOSS's custom DSP and latency-free design, the SY-1 provides an organic, seamless experience. It tracks your performance with perfect precision, allowing you to play freely without adjusting your technique. The SY-1 expands your sonic creativity in the simplest way possible.

Real-Time Control for Dynamic Performances

The SY-1 offers several ways to make your synth playing more expressive in live and studio settings. Holding down the pedal switch sustains the last-played synth sound, allowing you to jam over the top with your regular guitar tone. You can also connect an external footswitch for tap tempo and octave-shift effects or plug in an expression pedal for continuous control of tone and rate. With the SY-1's real-time control features, you have everything you need to deliver a compelling synth performance.

Fully Integrates Into Any Rig

Despite its advanced synth capabilities, the SY-1 operates like a standard compact pedal in terms of connectivity and control. However, its send/return loop and dedicated mix controls allow you to blend the SY-1's sounds with your favorite drive pedals. You can then send the combined signal to modulation, delay and reverb pedals for overall tonal shaping. The SY-1's send jack also functions as a direct out, letting you route the synth and guitar sounds to separate destinations.

BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer Effects Pedal
BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer Effects Pedal
BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer Effects Pedal

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • Power requirements: 9V DC (battery or optional AC adapter)
  • Current draw: 85 mA
  • Controls: Guitar/Bass switch, Type, Variation, Tone, Depth, Effect, Direct
  • Buffered bypass
  • Dimensions: 2.8" x 5.12" x 2.37" (73 x 129 x 59 mm)
  • Weight: 1 lb.

collapse expand iconWarranty

Boss pedals - 5 year parts warranty
90 day labor warranty.
1 year warranty - Multitracks, Jamstations, etc.
Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.55

31 Reviews

96%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

4

I've been waiting for this for 30 years.

Back in the 80's a friend of mine had the old Roland guitar synth. I forget the model number but the old blue one that required the special pick up. They were super cool units but expensive and hard to come by. Kinda big too. Now here we are 2020 and it's all in this compact pedal! Brilliant. I can now finally get those 80's King Crimson sounds. Without the extra pick up and the tracking is good too. All that and the new kind of sounds this thing can make makes it a super fun tool. Can't wait to start creating with it.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Not bad but not that great either

I traded in my boss GP 10 guitar synthesizer and got this with the hopes of saving a lot of paddleboard space, which it does but, just like the GP-10 it still does not track that well although I still gave it three stars because I am mainly an acoustic musician and maybe an electric guitar would track better but it didn't work for me. It was hard to get it to track good unless you specifically plucked notes out either one by one or pinched in a chord, I was thinking of playing guitar and having this add some nice synth pad sounds behind it but it never really followed my chord changes very well and also had this weird thumping noise anytime I strummed or hit a note hard. I ended up bring it back into guitar center (who by the way it was great about refunding my money and didn't even charge me a restocking fee like my receipt said) And got a small keyboard. I figure if I have to play a chord by not strumming I might as well just play the chords on a keyboard or lead lines for that matter also. I have owned a bunch of different boss guitar synthesizers And nothing seems to work perfectly and I don't trust them enough to not get glitchy in the middle of a live performance, I get better results by using an app on my iPad called MIDI Guitar and using that to trigger sounds in sample tank on my iPad also.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Performances17
  2. Home Studio16
  3. Amateur Recording14
  4. Professional Recording6
  5. Outdoor Events / Games5
Cons
  1. Difficult To Use3
  2. Limited Selection Of Effects1
  3. Must manually switch sounds1
  4. No stored presets1
  5. Not Responsive1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced19
  2. Professional Musician10
Pros
  1. Good Selection Of Effects26
  2. Compact23
  3. Excellent Sound Quality22
  4. Responsive19
  5. Versatile17
  • Versatile and very creative tool

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 months ago

    byLou

    fromMiami, FL

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Very useful tool for creative sound effects. Adds another dimension to the role of guitar in the arrangement. Has a wide range built-in effects so you can be almost endlessly creative. Very impressed by the sound quality, versatility and responsiveness.

  • Great playground for a synth newbie!

    5

    submitted7 months ago

    byBobby

    fromWilmington, NC

    SO much fun to experiment with. While more experienced synth users may prefer something with presets capability, I do like the simple design of this- no hidden menus and digital screens. Add a volume pedal, expression pedal, some delay/reverb, and you can create some wild soundscapes!

  • I really like this pedal

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byJon

    fromBrentwood tn

    It's good with the guitar but I've been using it with my AKai , midi keyboard mini play absolutely love The sounds, I can make , I have it plugged into a boss katana 7 w amp and it's just a lot of fun to experiment and I use a loop1 pedal. I just really enjoy this pedal and love the endless experimental possibilities

  • Awesome polyphonic synth.

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byJason

    fromMarietta, GA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This is great for comping parts that would otherwise require you to bring an extra instrument or two.

  • I would definitely buy this again. Unlocks a lot if creativi

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byRandy

    fromRoundrock

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This thing is kind of a beast! So many useful sounds. Getting some 80s vibes from it.

  • Boss made another color to paint with...and my mind is blown

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byBrandon

    fromLongs, SC

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use the pedal when I need something beautiful, almost ethereal…but even then, it offers so much more. Boss knocked it outta the park…and into the PARKINg Lot with this one, you guys. Do yourselves a favor and spring for the extra coin. Worth it—times 'infinity'…Don't believe, go demo it at GC. Good look picking your jaw up off the floor: Enjoy!

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byBrad

    fromSpokane

    Can this pedal be run through other pedals on the board such as a Boss Wah or Boss OD 200 or does it have to be run dry as a stand alone pedal?

    Can this pedal be run through other pedals on the board such as a Boss Wah or Boss OD 200 or does it have to be run dry as a stand alone pedal?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    You can certainly run it in the chain. You can experiment - put the pedal in different positions, it will sound different. Have fun.
  • asked byDave

    fromUT

    Does it do "swell sounds" like the BOSS Slow Gear?

    Does it do "swell sounds" like the BOSS Slow Gear?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This effects pedal does have swells sounds, layered voices and other sweeping textures.
  • asked byTommy

    fromSpring, Texas

    Can this be used with a Boss ME-80? 
If yes, plug it in front or after output to the amp?

    Can this be used with a Boss ME-80? If yes, plug it in front or after output to the amp?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Yes, this can be used in tandem.
  • asked byE

    fromCalifornia

    The page says it is in stock and ready to ship, but when I go to complete the order, it says it will be shipped on Oct. 23.

    The page says it is in stock and ready to ship, but when I go to complete the order, it says it will be shipped on Oct. 23.

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This is currently on back order until October
  • asked byRockAway

    fromStafford, Tx.

    I wonder if the sound is in stereo?

    I wonder if the sound is in stereo?

    Open Reply - Gear-Head
    It is in stereo