Boss SY-1 Synthesizer

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$176.58 to $209.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (18)

2 Critic Reviews

5 Reviews

All time low price

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Best Guitar Synth Pedals for Wild Creative Sounds

45 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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4.5 (72)

$197.99 $193.99 $4.00 · All time low

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4.5 (32)

$197.99

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5.0 (85)

$176.58 90 available New

$130.00 26 available Used

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4.0 (10)

$194.98 $193.99 $0.99 · All time low

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5.0 (7)

$197.99

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5.0 (2)

$197.99

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4.5 (120)

$211.00 $209.00 $2.00 · All time low

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£188.50

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Average Price: $187

Standard/Professional

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Synth Pedals category, Boss SY-1 Synthesizer is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Boss SY-1 Synthesizer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer is a compact yet powerful pedal that transforms your regular string instrument into a versatile synth. Ideal for both guitarists and bassists, this pedal is laden with 121 ultra-responsive synth sounds, spread across 11 categories, which makes it a perfect tool for music production and live performances.

The SY-1 offers an array of expressive leads, lush pads, layered organs, pulsating sequences, and thunderous basses, all at your feet. Thanks to Boss's advanced DSP technology, these polyphonic sounds are exceptionally responsive and sound natural. The pedal's latency-free design ensures precision tracking, allowing you to play freely without any technical adjustments.

Despite its advanced synth capabilities, the SY-1 operates like a standard compact pedal in terms of connectivity and control. Its send/return loop and dedicated mix controls allow you to integrate it with other pedals on your board effortlessly. The pedal's send jack also functions as a direct out, letting you route the synth and guitar sounds to separate destinations.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, the SY-1 is easy to use and doesn't require any background in synth programming. Just plug your instrument, select a sound, and let the SY-1 infuse your music with vintage analog flavor.

Key Features:

Authentic Boss polyphonic guitar synth in a compact pedal
No special pickup required, works with any guitar or bass
121 total sounds (11 types and 11 variations), all ready to play with no programming knowledge needed
Latency-free performance for unrestricted musical expression
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

Owner's manual

Boss SY-1 Synthesizer User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type	Guitar Synthesizer
Effects	Strings, Bass, Layered Pads, Lead, Bell, SFX 1/2, Pulsating
Inputs	1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" (return)
Outputs	1 x 1/4" (main out), 1 x 1/4" (send)
Other I/O	1 x 1/4" TRS (expression/control)
Bypass Switching	Buffered Bypass
Power Source	9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
Power Usage	85mA
Batteries	1 x 9V
Height	2.37"
Width	2.87"
Depth	5.12"
Weight	1 lb.

FAQs

What types of sounds can the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer produce?: The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer offers a wide range of sounds, including strings, bass, layered pads, lead, bell, and special effects, allowing for versatile soundscapes and creative possibilities.
Can the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer be used with both guitar and bass?: Yes, the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer is designed to work seamlessly with both electric guitar and bass, transforming them into versatile synthesizers with ease.
What are the connectivity options for the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer?: The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer features 1/4" inputs and outputs, including an instrument input, return, main output, send, and an additional TRS for expression or control, providing flexible routing options.
Does the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer require a power supply?: Yes, the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately, or it can be powered by a 9V battery.
How does the Boss SY-1 Synthesizer handle bypass switching?: The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer uses buffered bypass switching, ensuring consistent signal integrity and tone preservation when the pedal is not engaged.

Equipboard's Expert Review

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Videos

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The Pedal Zone

Boss SY-1 Guitar Synthesizer Demo

The Pedal Zone

THE BOSS OF SYNTH PEDALS? | Boss SY-1 Synthesizer

Rabea Massaad

BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer featuring Thomas McRocklin

BOSSchannel

BOSS SY-1 SYNTHESIZER

BassTheWorld.com

BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer

Mike Hermans

BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer | ALL THE SOUNDS [NO TALK / ONLY TONES]

Perry Frank

BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer All 121 Sounds Sample Vol.1

Ikebe Channel｜池部楽器店

Boss SY-1 Guitar Synthesizer...Huge Synth Sounds, Compact Pedal! - Review & Demo

PMTVUK

Boss SY-1 Synthesizer | No Blues Licks or Solos Included

Pedalboard of the Day

【IKEBE channel】BOSS SY-1 Synthesizer All 121 Sounds Sample Vol.2

Ikebe Channel｜池部楽器店

Boss SY-1 Synthesizer

Pedal of the Day

Reviews

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PROS

Huge range of sounds, over 121 variations for creative exploration
Fast tracking and great polyphony for real-time playing without lag
Does not require a MIDI pickup, enhancing ease of use
Built like a tank, ensuring durability and reliability
Can completely transform the sound of a guitar in real-time
Works well with both humbuckers and single coils for versatile tonal options
Expression pedal compatibility unlocks further potential
Effective for both live performances and studio recordings
Offers a variety of usable keyboard, organ, and synth sounds
Encourages musical creativity and exploration with its sonic capabilities

CONS

Some sounds may not be synth-like enough or sound too similar
Not great for on-the-fly adjustments in a live setting due to tiny control knobs
Limited sound sculpting options and lacks preset functionality
An expression pedal is nearly essential for full functionality, adding to the cost
Some patches, particularly organ parts, can sound shrill without tweaking
Consumes batteries quickly, necessitating an external power supply for longer use
Learning curve for maximizing its potential, especially with different guitar pickups

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss SY-1 Synthesizer.

Features and functionality

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The SY-1 excels in polyphonic tracking, allowing for complex playing without losing notes, a standout feature among guitar synth pedals.
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The SY-1 lacks preset saving capabilities, making live use challenging because settings need manual adjustment every time.
Source
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The pedal performs best when connected directly to a mixer rather than through a guitar amp, especially for achieving pure synth sounds.
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Experimenting with the Tone/Rate/Depth knobs on the SY-1 reveals hundreds of unique tones, beyond what demo videos might showcase.
Source

Use cases and applications

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It's particularly useful for 80s-inspired synth tones, ideal for players seeking classic synthwave sounds or psychedelic music without a keyboard.
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Users find the SY-1 more practical for sound exploration and experimentation rather than consistent use in live performances or recordings.
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The SY-1's organ sounds can benefit from being run through a guitar tube amp, offering a vintage tone not achievable with direct input.
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Pairing the SY-1 with an SL-2 pedal has been highlighted for creating enjoyable and diverse sound experiences.
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Comparisons

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When compared to the Source Audio C4, the SY-1 delivers more natural bass sounds, though the C4 offers extensive programming capabilities.
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Some suggest upgrading to the SY-200 for its ability to save presets, making it more versatile for live settings.
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The Mooer E7 is perceived as more limited compared to the SY-1, which offers broader tonal capabilities in a similar price range.
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For those seeking traditional keyboard synth sounds, the EHX Synth 9 may be more appropriate than the SY-1, which leans towards guitar-like tones.
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User experience

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Some users find the SY-1's limited tone palette challenging for integration into modern ambient or post-rock genres, making it less versatile for nuanced recordings.
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Players using the SY-1 with a Boss BD-2 in the effects loop report improved tonal blending when adjusting the dual signal paths with the pedal's knobs.
Source

Mods and upgrades

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Running the SY-1 in a parallel setup with other pedals, like a Mel9 and Freeze pedal, can create layered synth textures, enhancing live performance dynamics.
Source

Value and pricing

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While the SY-1 is seen as a budget-friendly option, upgrading to an SY-200 offers preset capabilities at a higher price point.
Source

Critic Reviews

Boss SY-1

soundonsound.com

The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer delivers a compact and user-friendly experience with 121 synth presets that cater well to guitarists seeking to explore synth sounds. Its impressive near-zero latency and easy controls make for a satisfying play, with standout features like the Hold function that enhances performance. However, some sounds lose clarity at higher notes, and changing patches can be cumbersome. While the synth tones are mostly convincing layered behind guitar, certain patches may lack nuance when isolated. Overall, it’s a solid addition for those wanting to integrate synth textures into their setup without overwhelming complexity.

positive

Full Review

Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal Review - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass

bassmusicianmagazine.com

The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal delivers an impressive array of sounds, tracking flawlessly across various synth tones, making it a standout option for both bass and guitar players. With 121 sounds available and the ability to integrate with other pedals, creativity is at your fingertips. However, some users might find the complexity of options overwhelming, and the initial learning curve could be steep. Despite this, the fun factor and versatility of the pedal make it a worthy addition to any setup for those ready to explore its extensive capabilities.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

harry_jordan

832

about 2 years ago

Not what I was looking for, but not a bad pedal

I bought this looking for some synthy sounds that would fit in playing some muse songs or stuff like that. I didn't really find that, and I found that while there's a LOT of potential tones, with no way to store a preset it was frustrating to use on the floor. The presets mostly sounded pretty good, some were a bit same-y, but with so many it was difficult to learn where I would find what I was looking for. I think the SY-200 or 1000 would be more suited to what I wanted, but for there's a significant step up in price.

It's a fun pedal to play with, it's a fun pedal to tweak while you hold notes, and it can genuinely make some interesting and musical sounds, but I sold mine because of the frustration of not being able to store any of the wonderful sounds it was making, and having to find them again is annoying.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Alternative rock

tom_christopher

357

over 6 years ago

An epiphany for synth-sound-loving guitar players!

This little guy totally blew me away when I first found it on the net. Ordered it right away, had to wait 3 months because it was sold out everywhere (shortly after it released) and rightfully so. It has so much to offer to anyone who likes a nice retro synth sound. There's so much 80's in there that I tend to forget, I wasn't born in time to experience this beautiful decade while it happened. But seriously, the sounds are so inspiring and beautiful and the machine is so responsive with no lack whatsoever. I actually use it with an acoustic guitar, which is probably not the most common way, but it works so well. Mostly I just blend in a little pad or strings with the dry guitar signal to have it floating in the background, but sometimes I turn the effect up and use it to play a lead synth or a bass line that I record with my loop station to layer to create a totally different vibe. Buy this thing, try it out at least, you won't regret it!

yannick_robert

105

over 3 years ago

Metheny sound ?

Nothing to say. This pedal is just great if you want to get a kind of Metheny soloing sound. It will give you wings !

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Jazz Jazz fusion Fusion

paul_zink

almost 5 years ago

Game changer

This pedal tracks well and the sound quality is shocking. Tons of different sounds- almost too many! Very flexible settings. Can’t wait to try it live. The organ settings are awesome!!

Roles:

Bassist Audio Engineer

Genres:

Rock Metal