Boss SY-1 Guitar Effects Pedal

Boss SY-1 Synthesizer — Polyphonic Guitar Synth in a Compact Stompbox

The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer pedal brings BOSS's legendary guitar synth technology into a compact stompbox. With 121 ultra-responsive sounds across 11 categories and 11 variations, this pedal turns any standard electric guitar or bass into a polyphonic analog-style synth without special pickups or programming knowledge. Players can move from fat leads and sweeping pads to layered organs and arpeggiated sequences by turning two knobs. The SY-1 is the right choice for guitarists and bassists who want authentic synth textures with stompbox immediacy. It drops into any pedalboard alongside standard drive, modulation, and time-based effects.

What Sets the SY-1 Apart

Built on the DSP engine first developed for the SY-300, the SY-1 inherits flagship-grade tracking in a more accessible format. The Hold function sustains the last-played synth voice so players can layer normal guitar over a frozen chord, while a dedicated GUITAR/BASS mode switch optimizes pitch tracking for either instrument.

121 Sounds Across 11 Categories

The sound library gives players a deep palette without menu diving. Each category contains 11 variations, so dialing in a usable tone takes seconds. Tone/Rate and Depth knobs reshape any voice on the fly.

• Total Sounds: 121 — 11 categories × 11 variations
• Sound Categories: Lead 1/2, Pad, Bass, Str, Organ, Bell, SFX 1/2, Seq 1/2 — leads, pads, basses, organs, bells, SFX, sequences
• Tone/Rate & Depth — adjust filter cutoff, modulation speed, and intensity per voice

Latency-Free Polyphonic Tracking

Custom DSP delivers latency-free performance so picking and bending feel identical to playing the dry guitar. The GUITAR/BASS switch tailors the engine for tighter pitch recognition. All sounds are polyphonic for single notes and full chords.

• Tracking: Polyphonic, latency-free — single notes or full chords
• Mode Switch: Guitar/Bass — optimizes pitch tracking
• Hold Function — sustains the last synth voice for layering

Pedalboard Integration & Connectivity

The SY-1 fits into a standard serial pedal chain like any BOSS compact. A parallel send/return loop lets players patch drive or modulation pedals alongside the synth voice, and the SEND jack doubles as a direct out. External control is supported through a stereo EXP/CTL jack.

• Controls: Guitar/Bass, Type, Variation, Tone, Depth, Effect, Direct
• I/O: Mono 1/4" in/out, Return, Send, Stereo EXP/CTL — parallel loop
• Power & Size: 9V battery/PSA adaptor, 115 mA, 73 × 129 × 59 mm, 450 g

Who This Synth Pedal Is Built For

The SY-1 is the right choice for guitarists and bassists who want synth textures without buying a hex pickup, a MIDI interface, or learning keyboard technique. Loop-based solo performers can use the Hold function to lay down sustained pads and play lead guitar over the top. Small bands can fill out arrangements with organ, bass, and string patches when no keyboard player is available.

The Boss SY-1 and BOSS's Guitar Synth Heritage

The SY-1 sits at the accessible end of a long line of BOSS and Roland guitar synthesizers that began with early Roland MIDI guitar innovation. Its polyphonic engine traces back to technology first developed for the SY-300. Positioned as the little brother to the flagship SY-1000, it brings the same family of analog-style synth sounds to stompbox access.