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 to 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.

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.

Nominal Input LevelINPUT, RETURN: -20 dBuInput ImpedanceINPUT, RETURN: 2.2 M ohmsNominal Output LevelOUTPUT, SEND: -20 dBuOutput ImpedanceOUTPUT, SEND: 1 k ohmsRecommended Load Impedance10 k ohms or greaterBypassBuffered bypassControlsPedal switch
GUITAR/BASS switch
TYPE knob
VARIATION knob
TONE knob
DEPTH knob
EFFECT knob
DIRECT knobIndicatorCHECK indicator (Serves also as battery check indicator)ConnectorsINPUT 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 jackPower SupplyAlkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately)Current Draw85 mAExpected battery life under continuous useAlkaline: Approx. 3 hours
*These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.AccessoriesOwner's manual
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-5SIZE AND WEIGHTWidth73 mm
2-7/8 inchesDepth129 mm
5-1/8 inchesHeight59 mm
2-3/8 inchesWeight (including battery)450 g
1 lb