Korg Sigma
in
Monophonic, but strong enough…
My little darling, bought to replace the MS20, in 1984. Korg analog synths have not always been popular with musicians, but as for me, I have always admired their extraordinary reliability, robustness, and above all their impeccable accuracy and temperament. The Sigma is no exception to the rule.
The interest in the Sigma in my eyes came from its tilting “tablets” functioning as directly accessible presets, which could be combined with each other (hence the name “sigma”), making it an instrument that was easier to use on stage (at a time when very few synths were programmable).
Even today, after 30 years (!) of service, it still works very well.
Its best features: the simplest sounds, called “flute”, “oboe”, or “fuzz guitar”. The “oboe” (woodwind) especially, with a rectangular wave plucked as desired, set with a small vibrato and a reverb, works wonders (not found on any other instrument, I guarantee you!). I used the Sigma extensively in “Sarabandes”, not at all in “La Source” (alas!), very little in “Esprit d’Amor” (a shame), but again from “Atlas” onwards (glop! glop!).
