The Sigma is an interesting bi-timbric synthesizer consisting of two sections: a genuine analog "Synthe" and a Preset "Instrument" section. All together, there are 19 presets on it that give a variety of sounds. There are 11 presets for the "Instrument" section which include fuzz guitar, electric bass, clavi, string, flute, double reed, trumpet, hammered percussion, etc. And there are 8 presets for the "Synthe" section that give variable waveforms (square, pulse, sawtooth) in different pitch ranges (from 32' to 4'). Each preset has its own rotary control to vary its sounds. The Sigma is also unique for its ability to combine the synth and instrument sections for a nicer, layered synth sound or effect. While the synth section is nice, the instrumental sounds (tuba, trumpet, strings, guitar, etc.) are pretty darn bad, and only get interesting when mixed with the "Synthe" section sounds.

Cool joysticks add multi-dimensional control. Use one to control pitch, noise and vibrato and use the second joystick to edit the low-pass and hi-pass VCF filters! There is also an "Effect" section which is for Vibrato, Portamento, Sample and Hold, Noise, Key Hold, Multiple Trigger and Ring Modulator (each with it's own rotary control to vary it's sound). Even though it has a switch labelled "Ring Mod," it's actually a cross-mod. It lets you cross modulate between the instrument and Synth sections.

Ultimately, however, a basic design, limited edit-ability and a pure lack of memory and MIDI leave the Sigma far behind on the evolutionary scale (although it does let you play a quarter-tone scale). The Sigma has a metal music stand that slides out the back to hold your sheet music suggesting it may have been aimed at hobbyists, though it has been used by Jean Michel Jarre, Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. One user describes the Sigma as, "An absolutely terrible keyboard, that is utterly fantastic!"

24 VISITOR COMMENTS

kimbo

February 19, 2012 @ 7:26 pm

I've had this thing for a couple of weeks and it's a bit of a one trick pony.

a nice trick is to put the synth and instrument mono outputs to a stereo channel and find the sweetspot where they sound similar enough to make it one big stereo sound. it can sound awesome.

very nice for example for big screaming electro house basslines...

the filter/vibrato/noise joysticks + the aftertouch+portamento are the heart of making this thing really stand out and makes it super expressive.

very fun synth, also very limited, if you've got the space for it+get it for cheap, go for it.

Smoinync

November 14, 2011 @ 1:44 pm

Got it for $100 from a local classified website. I was 5-6-7th on cue & didn't expect that the seller would call me back , but he did called.
My sigma came with sound missing on couple of keys, however it took a year to figure out what happened & fixed it myself .

gridsleep

August 27, 2011 @ 6:36 pm

If there are any rich, extravagant museum curators with no head for money out there, there's one of these on eBay going for $999 + $165 S&H from Tokyo. Don't get caught in the stampede. Oh, and he also has a Delta for $699 + $175 S&H aaannndd... a Trident going for the low, low price of $2,960 + $245 S&H. Woo! Whar's mah checkbook?
Mind you, these are all nice keyboards for their day, but really... The seller has an incredible array of wares, but he's expecting to get original list price for them. I just cannot comprehend anyone buying at these prices.

muesli

July 4, 2011 @ 10:32 am

I own one and want to correct some information concerning its specs:
1. There are neither 19 VCOs nor is it just one. In fact there are 2 indepenent VCOs, one for the synth section (consisting of 8 suboscs) and another independent one for the instrument section (consisting of 11 suboscs). All suboscs can be activated simultaneously
2. It can produce very fat and sweeping sounds by detuning synth and instrument section against each other
3. When using different settings for the pitch bend range for synth and instruments you can play 2 different tones at one time with the pitch bend joystick

marczellm

April 13, 2011 @ 4:42 pm

I find it funny that the article makes note of the Sigma's sheet music stand to conclude that it may have been aimed at hobbyists. I think hobbyists mostly can't read sheet music. On the other hand I know real pro musicians who play from sheet music. "After Crying", Hungarian prog band, is one example. I think ELP also played from sheet when with the orchestra, and Keith Emerson also had a separate screen with the scores in London 2010.

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