Sound:
This is just the beginning of the whole evolution of synth pedals, I'm sure. (Already looking forward to SYB-6!)
At first, I was looking for a pedal to use for Drum'and'Bass and Dubstep synth sounds. In many, many ways - I found it, in SYB-5.
But you have to know your synths in order to be able to get your bass sound balanced. (Not to mention, you have to develop a taste for synth sounds as such. A background in electronic music really helps.) Passive pickups needed! Or at least a knob to regulate between active\passive.
SYB-5 is capable of producing a nifty range of sounds, from growling D'n'B sweeps, to dubstep chainsaw squeals, trancey leads, funky bops etc.
An added expression pedal unleashes all of it's creative potential to you. Control the LFO for your Dubstep wobble sweeps! Set the LFO for slow speed and mix the synth to 50% clean sound - and your post rock\psychedelic stoner metal is going to send listeners to far away star systems.
Play with filter Q and Resonance to explode the club with some unheard before fatness.
If you're creative - this pedal is a true goldmine for sonic discovery and experimentation. Personally I can see no limits in musical genres where this pedal can add some spice.
I've tried all of this, and I witness the sound strength of SYB-5.
Feature:
The LFO control makes it unmatched among the bass pedals. I'd say this feature already made this pedal stand out of the whole range of products.
Don't forget to buy Expression pedal to foot-control the LFO speed (in 2 modes out of 11) and filter Q (in the rest 9 modes).
Ease of Use:
Well, as I said, the full capacity of this pedal is unlocked when you add external expression pedal to control parameters.
Other than that, it's pretty straightforward. Requires some experimentation and getting used to, so that you understand WHAT you can do with the sound.
So, don't be lazy, spend some time tweaking knobs, write down the interesting setups you find.
This is not your typical 'plug-and-play' effect.
It's a 'free-your-mind-Neo' type of pedal.
Quality:
Well, as good as Boss goes. Sturdy, redundant, stood plenty of gigs and moving (and kickin!) around.
The Wow Factor:
The SYB-5 for now is the KEYSTONE of my setup.
Overall:
I'm not selling it or putting it away, unless Boss makes a new one, with extra features added.
Bassists only just begin to discover Dubstep and modern Bass Music for live playing. So, Boss guys, is the new model already in the works?
It BETTER be! I'd suggest adding the following features, with electronic bassists in mind:
1) filter sweep, EXP controlled
2) tremolo, phaser, vibrato, wah - for poisonous bass!
3) another EXP pedal insert, for assignable controls
4) ability to store presets!
So, yeah, it's gotta be a mini-processor, but for electronic bass players! I'm talking Dubstep, D'n'B and the like.
Sound:
Trully a bass SYNTH - sounds are analog in nature and remind me of filters on my old EMU sampler... Many variations are possible, but probably most useful are last 2 modes , which allow you to play chords.
Feature:
A few more knobs to control the envelope would be nice, but that would make pedal even bigger.
Ease of Use:
Quite easy to use - but don't overdo it! Resonance and frequency are to be altered carefully, since on some basses resulting sounds could push your amp into overload. But it takes only a minute to dial great sound.
Quality:
Weakest point of this pedal is it's tracking ability. Forget playing 1/8 notes, it simply can't track that fast. Also, using first 9 modes you can only play SINGLE notes on bass. Combine that with fact that you should play them SLOW, and you become very limited. Sometimes bad pitch tracking pushes pedal to generate robotic sounds (a bit of R2D2), sometimes whole notes are completely skipped. I can't recommend this pedal, but this is based solely on my experience.
It is well and sturdy made, would gig without backup.
Value:
Since you are very limited with what you can do with this pedal, I can't say it's the best 'bang for the buck'.
Manufacturer Support:
Never have to deal with them, which is why I'm giving them high rating.
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Sound:
you can mix the sounds into infinity and you can squeeze just about anything of of this.
but, I find it to be a tad sharp at times. nothing big just if you want for a softer synth sound you might want to look a bit furter.
Feature:
as said, you can create about any sound out of it. the layout is clever and the waveshape knob is just what I was looking for in a pedal. the the first two knobs are two-stored and control similar features which are each others opposite. Such as the first knob, which i like the best, the upper part of it controls the amount of the effect to be heard and the under part controls the regular bass sound. this feature is priceless.
Ease of Use:
it ttook me a few minutes to be able to understand, and i doubt i´ll ever tame it. this pedal need some time to get to know.
Quality:
built like a tank. i would never keep a backup because it will never break. but i´m no electric so no teling if the inside is as sturdy.
Value:
good value, i´m pleased. could have been a wee bit cheaper. but thats just me.
Manufacturer Support:
don´t know. havent met them. which i think is positive,
The Wow Factor:
the only appeal there is would be some Kraftewrk-ish sort of sex appeal. its steel and red has a mighty fine fainish and i find it to my liking. but its the sound that makes me crave it not the looks. this piece is nothing you put on the front of stage so that everyone can see it, you stomp it and play their ears off.
Overall:
i will probably carry this one til the day i die and never regret a second of playing with it. At the moment i´m searching for a complementary weaker synth-pedal. this is because of the first knobs ability to perfectly to my will control the amount of original sound and effect amount. so this is not the only effect i will carry, this will be the shepard for my herd of pedals and effecs, the one to shape the way of the music.
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