Boss SY-1 Guitar Synthesizer Pedal

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 numbers 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.

• Authentic BOSS polyphonic guitar synth in a compact pedal
• No special pickup required—play rich, dynamic synth tones with any guitar or bass
• 121 total sounds (11 types and 11 variations), all ready to play with no programming knowledge needed
• Includes a wide variety of analog‑style synth sounds, from leads, basses, and layered organs to sweeping pads and arpeggiated sequences
• Latency‑free performance for unrestricted musical expression
• Quickly adjust sounds to taste with Tone/Rate and Depth controls
• Hold function for playing normal guitar over sustained synth voices
• Blend synth and normal guitar sounds with independent level controls
• Parallel send/return loop for easy integration with other pedals on your board
• Mode switch optimizes the synth engine for guitar or bass
• Supports extended control with an external footswitch or expression pedal

SY‑1 Sound Types:

• LEAD 1/2
• PAD
• BASS
• STR (strings)
• ORGAN
• BELL
• SFX 1/2
• SEQ 1/2

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 ohm
• 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 (also battery check)
• Connectors: INPUT, OUTPUT, SEND, RETURN – 1/4‑inch phone type; EXP/CTL (stereo 1/4‑inch); DC IN jack
• Power Supply: 9 V alkaline battery (6LR61); AC adaptor (PSA series, sold separately)
• Current Draw: 115 mA
• Expected battery life: approx. 2 hours continuous (alkaline)
• Accessories: Leaflet (“Using the Unit Safely”, “Important Notes”, “Information”), alkaline battery
• Options (sold separately): AC adaptor (PSA series), footswitches (FS‑5U, FS‑6, FS‑7), expression pedals (FV‑500H/L, EV‑30, EV‑5)
• Dimensions: Width 73 mm (2 7/8″), Depth 129 mm (5 1/8″), Height 59 mm (2 3/8″)
• Weight (including battery): 450 g (1 lb)
• 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms