boss sy-300
This big blue beasty is perhaps the most
comprehensive and overt attempt at
turning the guitar or bass into a full-blown
synthesizer. Roland pretty much pioneered
the concept of the guitar synth in the
‘80s, but gone are the days when a highly
modified instrument, mess of cables and
surfboard-sized controller are required
to tap into it. The SY-300 is the plug-andplay synth stomp we have been waiting for
and perhaps one of the most powerful and
ambitious stompboxes of all time next to
the Eventide H9.
they would make Ms. Pac-Man blush away
from her bits. What is so unique about SY300 is the full control one has straight away
with no computer or iOS device required.
The simple menu pages are icon-based
and one can limit the sequencer steps and
repetitions, dial in exact BPMs and make
pitch adjustments for each step on the fly.
Theoretically, one could play a whole set of
future-shock-electro-rock using just their
index finger. It is good to know that if I
mangle my fretting hand in a caravan fire
or sheet metal factory, I will still be able to
Each of the SY-300’s three onboard make forward-thinking guitar music.
oscillators contains a 16-step, fully
programmable sequencer. Guided by just a
single note, the sequencer can launch into
pitch patterns so complex and alluring,
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