The synth pedal isn’t exactly a subtle effect. It transforms the guitar signal into another instrument entirely. The BOSS SY-1, for example, can turn your guitar into an organ, a bass, a synthesizer, or even an arpeggiating drum loop. Within the SY-1, multiple effects can all be triggered simultaneously to create a vast variety of tones. Octave, fuzz, tremolo, and flanger are all parts of the overall tone and effect of the SY-1. As a result, one might think it unnecessary to pair it with other effects when so much is done internally. Yet the SY-1 is built with effect pairing very much in mind, and the pedal has several built-in features designed to enhance the versatility of the synth pedal and maximize its compatibility with other effects.
Setup Considerations
One of the most valuable features of the SY-1 for partnering the pedal with other effects is its built-in effects loop. The addition of an effects loop opens up a pair of advantageous options. Additional effects, such as overdrive, can be placed in the effects loop and blended in parallel with the synth effect without affecting it directly. The send can be utilized as a second output for the SY-1, allowing the clean signal to get sent to a separate DI or amplifier source. Perfect for using the SY-1 as an accompaniment or when creating more subtle effects.
Using the send as a clean output for the guitar signal makes it possible to position the SY-1 at the start of your signal path, with the main output of the pedal running to a secondary amp or DI and the send output running into your conventional guitar pedalboard. With this setup, you won’t need to sacrifice a natural guitar sound for the synth effect and can use the SY-1 as an additional instrument alongside the guitar.
PEDAL COMBINATIONS
Overdrive
However, the SY-1 also includes a comprehensive 2-band clean blend, allowing you to balance the affected and clean signal via two independent knobs. This is very useful when using the SY-1 alongside overdrive. Some of the synth effects can be quite intense and heavily modulated. While this can easily be the desired effect, it can also negatively impact the attack and note precision of more complex melodies and progressions.
You can remedy this by blending in some of the clean guitar signal. However, mixing a completely clean guitar with the heavily affected synth can be jarring. Running a thick distortion or overdrive ahead of the SY-1 and blending the signal in alongside the synth effect is a great way to keep your notes clean and defined while still making the most of the synth tones.
Recommended Pairings
- BOSS SY-1 and SD-1W
- BOSS SY-1 and BD-2
Phaser
An easy way to add movement and more identity to some of the more straightforward bass synth tones available on the SY-1 is by partnering the effect with a phaser. Position the phaser directly after the synth pedal, as you would with an octave of overdrive pedal, and set the phaser with a high depth and slow rate to its filter sweep. The result is a simple but enriching, cascading phase shift occurring across the deep fundamentals of the synth bassline.
Recommended Pairing
- BOSS SY-1 and PH-3
"Position the phaser directly after the synth pedal, as you would with an octave of overdrive pedal, and set the phaser with a high depth and slow rate to its filter sweep."
Tremolo
As with the phaser, adding tremolo can easily create new and exciting tones with the SY-1. Positioning the tremolo directly after the SY-1 and setting the pedal to a high depth can create an arpeggiator-like throbbing beat. This sort of thing is perfect when paired with sub-heavy bass octave progressions to give it a more rhythmic feel.
Recommended Pairing
- BOSS SY-1 and TR-2
"Pairing a synth pedal with delay can be a great way to unlock some new and interesting rhythmic and ambient tones."
Delay
Pairing a synth pedal with delay can be a great way to unlock some new and interesting rhythmic and ambient tones. A delay pedal can be positioned directly after the SY-1 for a simple echo effect. Still, a great way to make a more exciting use of the pairing is to run the delay in the effects loop of the SY-1. By doing this, the delay can work parallel with the synth effect so that the delay tails will stay clean and articulate. This can be very useful when using more complex delay rhythms from pedals like the BOSS RE-2 or octaving delay tails from pedals like the BOSS PS-2.
Recommended Pairings
- BOSS SY-1 and DM-2W
- BOSS SY-1 and RE-202
Reverb
The organ tones are some of the most useful and usable sounds available with the SY-1. Far from its expansive and complex synth arpeggios, the SY-1 organ presets sound organic and natural. They offer a great way to get a realistic organ accompaniment without finding a keyboard player.
However, organ sounds can be a little dry, and pairing the SY-1 with a simple reverb pedal can help the organ sound more balanced and sit better in a mix alongside guitar, bass, and drums.
Recommended Pairings
- BOSS SY-1 and RV-6
- BOSS SY-1 and RV-500
"Pairing the SY-1 with a simple reverb pedal can help the organ sound more balanced and sit better in a mix alongside guitar, bass, and drums."
Comprehensive and Versatile
Synth pedals are comprehensive and versatile tools for guitarists looking to expand the boundaries of their role, both in a band context and as a creative musician. The careful use of a select few pedals, both in series and through utilization of the effects loop, can unlock even more possibilities for this advanced, complex, and rewarding effect.
