Bringing its latest guitar synth technology to its compact pedal lineup, Boss has released the SY-1 Synthesizer.

With connectivity via a standard quarter-inch cable, the SY-1 is based on advanced tech first developed for the SY-300 and uses powerful polyphonic engine offering 121 synth sounds ready to play with no programming knowledge needed. These include leads, pads, organs and basses, plus a variety of sound effects and rhythmic synth patterns. Sounds are organized into 11 different types, with 11 variations in each.

Thanks to custom DSP and the latest Boss innovations, the SY-1 offers latency-free performance for a natural and organic playing experience. Tone/Rate and Depth knobs provide quick adjustment of synth voices, including changing the pitch on some sounds. And with a rear-panel switch, the input circuitry can be instantly optimised for either guitar or bass.

The SY-1 also offers a send/return loop and dedicated mix controls, allowing it to be run with other pedals in parallel with itss synth voices. The send jack also functions as a direct out, for routing synth and guitar sounds to separate destinations.

The SY-1 offers a numbers of ways to make synth performances more dynamic and expressive. Holding the pedal switch sustains the last-played synth sound, for jamming regular guitar over the top. Users can also connect an external footswitch for tap tempo and octave-shift effects, or plug in an expression pedal for continuous Tone/Rate control.

The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer will be available at a street price of US$199.99.

More: www.boss.info