Six Months With The Boss SY-1 Guitar Synth Pedal.

Simon kicks off 2021 with a long term review of the Boss SY-1 Guitar Synth Pedal. Spending six months on his pedalboard, Simon takes a deep dive into what the pedal is capable of and discovers some interesting surprises along the way.

Sweetwater:
Andertons (UK)

[yzimsx]

One of the best videos about the SY-1. Most of the so-called "reviews" are like "I'll go through all the sounds and record whatever happens to come out when I do random things on my guitar for a few seconds". Sort of like someone going to a music instrument store and trying to blow, strum or hit all instruments they can get hold of, without having the slightest idea how each instrument might be played.

I recommend trying an expression pedal. That way you can tame a lot of the sounds, and you can find more usable sweets spots and useful musical expression that won't come out otherwise.

[mattster]

I was borrowing an SY-1 for a while from a bandmate, and I honestly didnt expect it would be as useful as it was! the parallel loop is the best feature of this so you can keep your other pedals and fx from interfering with the synth and is always on even if the SY-1 is off so you can still use them! but on bass guitar i always came back to a specific bass synth patch with the tone really low which was extremely subtle but helped retain low end when using certain modulation and delay fx with bass! and the hold function was really useful too! i kind of prefer the fact you cant save presets tbh since i mostly use analog pedals it fits right in and feels more natural to dial in without a screen and menus to figure out

[PLively]

That's rather tempting, Simon. Damn you.

[PhrygianScale]

Many thanks man, well done indeed. PS, most excellent outro! Respect from KCMO.

[THESINNERSPUNE]

Thanks Simon. I've just ordered the pedal. You've explained the pedal beautifully, leaving me to explore the possibilities. I was never a pedal buff, coming from the early sixties, and having had none at the time ! I have, though acquired quite a few pedals over the last few years and mostly use the tremolo, vibrato, echo and such like pedals. I even have a Roland Processor, which I bought 7 years back, but never got to using it. This is the first synthesizer pedal that I have just now ordered, with the hope that I will now use it, as you have instigated me. Thanks again for the review.

[Bryanpjc]

Ok, so who else is desperate for a "Make your guitar Vangelis with the SY1" deep dive/tutorial? That was absolutely awesome.

[oldbladderhorn]

that's what it's all about having a great time of it ...👍

[alexanderwooldridgesmith]

You made me do it. I have been thinking about one of these for some time. Now you have made me watch this.

[skyreadersociety]

thanks for sharing your experience, been a long time fan of those GR300 sounds and it seems that the SY-1 can nicely replicate, all I need.

[sterlingmcvay]

Wow!! Love that Intro - has a Very GENESIS-Y VIBE - to me, which is Cool cause I'm Loving that Sound and Upbeat Vibe. Using the Cabot was a Brilliant IDEA, Works to the Pad Keyboard Synth Sounds VERY WELL. Thanks for Sharing is on my SOON LIST, After the Jackson Audio FUZZ!!!! That's NEXT WEEK!!!!

[mainsblanches]

YEP!!...great for composing and doing multitrack recording soundscapes!!

[simonh.]

Great video. I have one of these and it exceeded my expectations by light years.

[thierrydel]

The Blade Runner act is so great that you convinced me 🙂

[chrisbunchofflowersmusic]

Good job man....liked your honest opinion...
Many thanks and regards from Chris Bunch of flowers music 🎵🎵

[jackloganbill]

I spent hours with the SY-1 and could not coax but a few decent sounds, not enough to cover its cost. Amazed at those that can and do....

[christopherdavis]

the song at the end was very good indeed.

[eightstorywindow]

Which bank/voices were used at around 4:00 for that Vangelis style piece? Ugh I wish you would have let us peak! Awesome sounds!

[Barflew]

I have a GR-55..But---you can use ANY guitar with the SY-1.... My favorite function on this pedal is using a Momentary switch with it.For a HOLD Note to solo over.(Think Electroharmonix Freeze Pedal)When you hit the Hold switch-it holds the (Synth) note-s and you can (solo over it with the signal going to your guitar amp).Mono out from the SY-1 goes to a NUX Atlantic Reverb and Delay..Sterio out from the Atlantic goes to the mixer..Guitar signal from the send on the SY-1 goes to my Modeler..Both of these and other pedals are on a small table, so I don't have to bend over when I want to change settings.. Liked how you added different Synth Sounds together for the demos..Good Review..

[drcockles]

Great demo, I’ve had this little box for a while, this is inspiring. The 200 series model is out now too, bridging the gap with the big beast

[arno-luyendijk]

It may be centred towards early 80's synth sounds, but I found it sounds warmer in its analog patterns than the EHX Synth9, which sounds blocky in comparison. Futhermore, I use this pedal mostly in combination with the EHX Mel9 and the EHX String9 pedal, and that gives cathedral sounds....also in combination with the HallofFame 2 and/or the Strymon Bigsky reverb,