Boss SYB-5 Whats your honest opinion?

[krispn]

One of these is available locally and I'm tempted to take a punt for a new project (Aturia mini synth could be on the cards in the new yr) I'd likely be playing it via my pedal based preamp fx loop which has a wet/dry mix

[NoirBass]

As much as I have a soft spot for Boss pedals, this is not one I would recommend. The note detection is very sluggish and makes for miserable music making. IMHO.

Get a Digitech BSW if you want to trial a bass synth, or better still a ZOOM MS-60B or B3.

[lefrash]

It's pretty dreadful imo. Fine for a bedroom muck about toy, but there's no way of even think about gigging one. Too erratic.

You will get some guys saying that it's all about playing cleanly and making sure the sound going in is as clear as possible. But, that's just not always possible.

[krispn]

urgh maybe I should hunt down an Aturia sooner rather than later

Thanks guys

[xgsjx]

If you're wanting to play synth sounds from your bass, then you're better to go down either the separate pedals route (wet octaver, dirt, filter & whatever else you fancy), or get a midi bass & plug it into the Arturia (the IR midi bass gets a thumbs up from many users on OBW).

[fretmeister]

sh*te.

The digitech BSW is different but nevertheless far better.

[DiscoTetak]

I'm in minority that actually find SYB-5 useful, although you have to play very, very cleanly in order for it to track well. It excels the Digitech synth in sound department. I even had two units for 3-4 years, until I sold them both and went the otjer route (IE Subterranea, fuzz+filters...)

Edited November 18, 2014 by DiscoTetak

[Truckstop]

Buy a synth keyboard and use that instead. Much easier and more intuitive when playing with the oscillating effects etc.

Novation Mini-Nova is well worth a look as is the MicroKorg. Less than £200 (second hand) and much more useful and tweakable than pedals.

Truckstop

[AttitudeCastle]

The Behringher BSY-600 is a SYB clone with better tracking (IME. Do some "Organic Wobble" research and you'll see it's pretty highly reccomended, especially for the price!), and in many circles is considered better. Just the construction is pretty weak.

If you're interested in them they are pretty good and worth looking into since they don't cost a whole lot (£30-40 new). I combo one with the Digitech BSW, got both for less than £70 incl delivery which is neat!

Will never be a proper synth though, but it's own cool sound!

[krispn]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll look at a mini synth -tha Asturias ones are tickling my fancy but I'll keep an open mind and see what's out there!

[Owen]

I like it. Combined with an OC2 it can get down and dirty. The "sustain pedal" setting on it's own is worth it.

[Owen]

Does the Behringer do the sustain pedal thing?

[paul_5]

I loved the BSY600 and much preferred it to the SYB5. Tons cheaper too.

[paul_5]

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1416782757' post='2613614']
Does the Behringer do the sustain pedal thing?
[/quote]

Yup.

[paul_5]

I also found that when it was holding a note the SYB-5 had the filter sweep on the synth note whereas the BSY600 didn't, and would just make the bass noise it was supposed to. Don't know if that's a deal breaker.