Description

Journey to New Sonic Frontiers
With the SY-1, it's never been easier to infuse your creative arsenal with BOSS's legendary guitar synth technology. This amazingly expressive tool is filled with 121 ultra-responsive sounds, all distilled down into a BOSS compact pedal that slides easily into any setup. Best of all, it's as simple to use as a standard stompbox, so you don't need any background in synth programming to bring a new world of sonic textures to your music.

Expressive Synth Sounds, No Programming Needed
The SY-1 transforms any guitar or bass into a versatile synthesizer that's fun, inspiring, and ready to play. Backed by advanced tech first developed for the SY-300, this super-cool pedal delivers a huge selection of analog-style synth sounds while occupying minimal space on your board. What's more, all the sounds are polyphonic, allowing you to play both single notes and chords.

Plug-and-Play and Latency-Free
The SY-1 can be used with any guitar or bass via a standard 1/4-inch cable, providing an easy, plug-and-play experience. Thanks to custom DSP and the latest BOSS innovations, the SY-1 offers latency-free performance that's a natural extension of your instrument, letting you play freely and organically without altering your normal technique in any way.

A Universe of Synth Sounds Inside
With its 11 categories and 121 total sounds, the SY-1 puts an enormous array of synth colors at your fingertips. Expressive leads, sweeping pads, layered organs, fat basses, and more are all on tap, plus a variety of rhythmic synth patterns that are a blast to jam with. And with the grab-and-go Tone/Rate and Depth knobs, you're able to adjust any synth voice just how you like, including changing the pitch on some sounds.

At Home in Any Rig
As a standard BOSS compact, the SY-1 drops into a serial pedal chain like any other stomp. But with the send/return loop and dedicated mix controls, it's also possible to blend one or more pedals in parallel with the SY-1's synth voices. For example, you can patch drive pedals in the loop, and then send the combined output to mod, delay, and reverb pedals for overall processing. The send can be used as a direct out as well, enabling you to route synth and guitar sounds to separate destinations.

Enhance Performances with Real-Time Control
The SY-1 offers a number of ways to make your synth performances even more dynamic and expressive. Pressing and holding the pedal switch sustains the last-played synth sound, allowing you to jam with regular guitar over the top. You can also connect an external footswitch for tap tempo and octave-shift effects, or plug in an expression pedal for continuous Tone/Rate control.

SY-1 Sound Types
• LEAD 1/2-A wide range of sounds suitable for single-note soloing.
• PAD-Full tones that work great with chords, from layered pads to synth brass and more.
• BASS-Fat synth bass sounds, including filtered and sub-octave tones.
• STR-Classic analog-style strings, including layered voices and sweeping textures.
• ORGAN-A large selection of organ sounds, including many with rotary-style modulation.
• BELL-Percussive synth sounds with metallic resonance.
• SFX 1/2-A variety of synth sound effects, including explosive one-shot sounds, animated pitch/filter voices, and more.
• SEQ 1/2-Pulsating sounds with rhythmic pitch or filter changes.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Can I use the BOSS SY-1 with my bass?

• Yes.

2. Does the BOSS SY-1 work with a keyboard?

• Yes.

3. Can you play chords with the BOSS SY-1?

• Yes. The BOSS SY-1 is polyphonic. It can produce any note or combination of notes. 

4. Does the BOSS SY-1 require power?

• Yes. The BOSS SY-1 uses a 9v battery or power adapter.

5. Does the BOSS SY-1 have a stereo output?

• No. The BOSS SY-1 only has a single output.

6. Do you need a pickup for the BOSS SY-1?

• No, if you’re already using an electric instrument with a ¼” audio jack input. You might need a pickup if you’re using an acoustic instrument without an audio jack available.

7. Does the BOSS SY-1 work as an octave pedal?

• No. It is not the primary function of the BOSS SY-1. The pedal produces a synth sound for your instrument, not pitch-shifting it.

8. Does the BOSS SY-1 work with an acoustic-electric with a piezo pickup?

• Yes.

9. Can I use the BOSS SY-1 to make string pad sounds using an acoustic guitar?

• Yes, you can use a pickup or a mic as input.

10. Does the BOSS SY-1 work with a footswitch?

• Yes. The BOSS SY-1 works with BOSS footswitches (Ex. FS-6, FS-7, etc.)

11. Can you save presets on the BOSS SY-1?

• Yes.

12. Does the BOSS SY-1 have an auto-wah?

• No. The BOSS SY-1 is a synth pedal.

13. Can you bypass the BOSS SY-1 so it won’t affect other pedals?

• Yes.

14. Does the BOSS SY-1 have a piano setting?

• No, but the BOSS SY-1 works with a piano.

15. Can I tap the tempo on the BOSS SY-1?

• Yes, by using an external footswitch to control it.

16. Can I adjust the bpm on the BOSS SY-1?

• Yes.

Specifications

• Nominal Input Level: INPUT, RETURN: -20 dBu
• Input Impedance: INPUT, RETURN: 2.2 M ohms
• Nominal Output Level: OUTPUT, SEND: -20 dBu
• Output Impedance: OUTPUT, SEND: 1 k ohms
• Recommended Load Impedance: 10 k ohms or greater
• Bypass: Buffered bypass
• Controls: Pedal switch, GUITAR/BASS switch, TYPE knob, VARIATION knob, TONE knob
• DEPTH knob, EFFECT knob, DIRECT knob
• Indicator: CHECK indicator (Serves also as battery check indicator)
• Connectors: INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type, OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type,
• SEND jack: 1/4-inch phone type, RETURN jack: 1/4-inch phone type, EXP/CTL jack:
• Stereo 1/4-inch phone type, DC IN jack
• Power Supply: Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61), AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately)
• Current Draw: 115 mA
• Expected battery life under continuous use: Alkaline: Approx. 2 hours *These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.
• Accessories: Leaflet ("USING THE UNIT SAFELY," "IMPORTANT NOTES," and "Information")
• Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
• Options (sold separately)AC adaptor: PSA series, Footswitch: FS-5U
• Dual footswitch: FS-6, FS-7, Expression pedal: FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, Roland EV-5

Size & Weight

• Width: 73 mm (2-7/8 inches)
• Depth: 129 mm (5-1/8 inches)
• Height: 59 mm (2-3/8 inches)
• Weight (including battery): 450 g 1 lb

* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
*The specifications are subject to change without notice.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

• Import duties and shipment costs are all included in the price for customers in the USA.

Shipping

• Your package will be shipped from one of our fulfillment centers in the USA.
• Free 2 business day delivery with a tracking number in the 48 contiguous states of the USA.
• The delivery to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico can take more than 2 days.
• Sometimes it can take a little longer due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Our system cannot ship to PO Boxes.
• Currently, we cannot ship outside the USA. If you are outside the USA, please contact us.