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Boss SYB-3 vs SYB-5

#4
I've tried them both in a store:
the SYB-5 is capable of a wider range of tones in my opinion, while the SYB-3 has a lot of similar tones.
Tracking is the same **** (maybe the 5 is a little bit better, but I might be wrong).
I'm going to buy the SYB-5 though...
 
#5
I would look outside the "Boss Box". the Digitech Bass Synth Wah is good (and cheap too!), or you could splash out a little and look at the EHX Bass Mico Synth.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't buy Boss, I'm just saying that there are a lot of other pedals out there that are very worth looking at.
 
#6
To be honest, I don't think people know how to use certain pedals. A bass synth, in particular. They plug in, play what they would normally play, turn some knobs that they don't understand, and come to the conclusion that the pedal sucks.

I figure I'd put that out there. It erks me. Even these companies demos of products aren't a good glimpse at what you can really do with their products. Like the EHX Bass Micro Synth, for example. The video demo was a complete turn-off. That's not to say that the synth can't do some rad and usefull(subjective) things.

I think it all comes down to trying the pedal/effect in a store.

So to conclude, after trying it out in Atlanta, I bought the SYB-5 and am looking forward to taking it to the shed to see what crazy sonic concoctions I can achieve.
 
#7
I have a Digitech BSW, it only cost me like $80 bucks a year ago. I love this pedal. Much easier to use and get a sound than the Bosses, built well and has a great user layout. It's like 7 pedals or 4 good ones in one. I personally tried the Boss SYB-5 and couldn't figure out how to get to the sound I was looking for-- I'm sure for that price it was in there, but there just seemed to be too many knobs and options for me. I like to fool with a pedal for 15 minutes and leave it for a while-- the Boss just isn't that kind of pedal, but the Digitech is. Just my experience-- you might enjoy the bells and whistles more than I, but the Digitech is great stuff for the cash, and I see a lot more of those in the the pedalboards thread.
 
#8
Andrew.Glose said:
To be honest, I don't think people know how to use certain pedals. A bass synth, in particular. They plug in, play what they would normally play, turn some knobs that they don't understand, and come to the conclusion that the pedal sucks.

I figure I'd put that out there. It erks me. Even these companies demos of products aren't a good glimpse at what you can really do with their products. Like the EHX Bass Micro Synth, for example. The video demo was a complete turn-off. That's not to say that the synth can't do some rad and usefull(subjective) things.

I think it all comes down to trying the pedal/effect in a store.

So to conclude, after trying it out in Atlanta, I bought the SYB-5 and am looking forward to taking it to the shed to see what crazy sonic concoctions I can achieve.
Click to expand...
I definitely agree that EHX's demo video doesn't do the product justice. And I'll concede that while I have only spent a few minutes with the SYB-5, the tracking issues I encountered led me to believe that I would rather sacrifice the variety of tones it contained for the ability to play a greater variety of lines clearly.

If you do manage to get some quality results after woodshedding please do include some samples of what it's capable of doing. Maybe the rest of us are just writing it off too quickly.:)
 
#9
I've had a Boss SYB-3 and ME-50B multi-FX (with built-in synth). I also own the DigiTech BSW and Boss GT-6B multi-FX (also has synths). If you want a stomp-box sized pedal I'd recommend the DigiTech--much cheaper, great tracking, excellent octaver, wide range of sounds. If you want a Boss synth, unless you're really constrained by size and budget, I'd suggest going with the ME-50B or GT-6B.

I don't have a problem getting good sounds out of the Boss synths but it does take a while to dial them in. Since the Boss multis are programmable you'll be able to recall the exact settings you need without excess knob-twiddling. Also, I find that using some compression, Slow Gear, and/or Defretter effects can smooth out the attack which leads to better tracking.
 
#10
For some reason I remember the SYB-3 being funkier, but I don't know why I imagine they have the same sounds. The main difference I would think is that the 5 would have a newer generation of digital technology and should theoretically track and sound a little better. I've owned the SYB-5 and spent some time with the SYB-3 but I can't really remember.

I've owned two Digitech Bass Synth Wahs and was wholly unimpressed with their synth sounds. I think the Bass Ya especially is just crap. The filter is ok, I thought it was similar to a DOD FX-25, and the octaver was ok (probably similar to a DOD as well) though I way prefer the tone of other octavers.
 
#11
I actually just bought the SYB 3 from some random guy the music store clerk played with. I played around with the SYB 5 in the store, however it was about 250 and this was 100. I went with the cheaper. Poor decision? Not really it's more-or-less the same. But it eats batteries like mini-muffins, so I haven't played with it too much (after 10 minutes the batter died[although it was a used battery]).

It's not poly, btw, it's mono.
 
#12
Count me as one of the schmucks who gave up on the SYB-5.
I defintely just didn't hammer out my normal basslines trying to get some funky sounds, I really sat down and played much simpler lines. But I just could not get anything useable. For me all I could get was lazer tag type noises...nothing that remotely sounded synth for old RnB stuff. Bought the thing new and ebayed it for 1/2 what I paid a month later.
A few folks here on TB told me they SYB-3 was funkier, but I put that idea on the backburner for now.
 
#15
Well the syb3 is older and discontinued, doesn't the pedal itself instantly start to sound better once that happens.

Im kidding, and I am a series3 owner. I like it, but you really have to spend time getting used to how it tracks and what you can do with it. Im not sure if this is the case with all synths, but dont get it thinking you can plug it in, step on it, and sound like a moog instantly.
 
#17
Hello guyz, I'm quite new in here. I would like to ask you the following: I am about to purchase a boss syb pedal, is syb-5 much better than syb-3? Is it worth the money? I am currently playing psychedelic rock with my band, so i don't really need a funky sound- it wouldn't bother me though.
 

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