Boss SYB-5 Bass Synthesizer Review
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Pedal Info
It's safe to say that guitar players get the lion's share of choices when it comes to effects pedals. Still, bass players have their fair share of cool toys. Many bassists supplement their traditional bass sounds with filtering or octave pedals. There are even bass-oriented synthesizer in pedal form. The first such pedal was the Boss SYB-3 bass synthesizer pedal, released to great acclaim by bassists everywhere. The most current incarnation is the SYB-5.
Although common in electronic-based music, bass synthesizer pedals are common in funk and even certain types of heavy metal or hard rock. Although relying on DSP for its sound processing, the SYB-5 has 11 different types of popular analog synth sounds, allowing you to chose from saw, square, and pulse waveforms. There's also an "Enhanced Wave Shape" mode that provides sharper sounds if required.
Looping fans will like the hold function, where you can hold a note by pressing the pedal and lay sounds on top of it. An external pedal input is provided, allowing you to control both filter cutoff and LFO rate via an external pedal (whether a Roland EV-5 or equivalent).
User Reviews
User reviews of the SYB-5 are mixed. Many users rave about the large group of sounds available in such a small package. In addition to simply having access to 11 different synth sounds, you're given a wide range of controls, so you can modify the frequency, resonance, and even the ratio of dry to effected sound.
However, many users also complain about the poor tracking, noting that the SYB-5 simply cannot keep up with their playing. A few users have complained about the tracking of two or more notes, which the manual clearly advises against, so it's best to stick to single notes. Other users note that the sounds are "interesting," but not necessarily usable. Of course, that depends on one's expectations.
Summary
Name of Gear: Boss SYB-5 Bass Synthesizer
List Price: $229.50
Street Price: $169.00
Manufacturer Info: Boss; bossus.com
Pros: Wide range of sounds
Cons: Slow tracking
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