Floppies:

Curiously, the Korg software is dated 1997, while the included eMagic promotion disk is dated 1992-4. I have no idea what microLogic is, I actually expected the module to come with eMagic SoundDiver...

The manual page with the module specifications:

The specifications are almost exactly the same as for the Korg AG-10, except for the power adapter. However, there is one other difference...we'll come to that later.

MIDI chart:

continued next post...

The software CD actually was a bit of a surprise, as it is a Windows/Mac CD:

The software appears to be for Windows 3.1 and later and Mac OS 7.5 and later. I'm not entirely sure what the Music Navigator is meant to be; one of the pictures in the manual makes it look like a softsynth similar to Roland's Virtual SoundCanvases and Yamaha's S-YXG softsynths.

And now the module itself:

I had to look in the manual to discover where the MIDI ports were hidden. What may look like an integrated speaker on some pictures is actually a removable cover:

The MIDI-KG/APW is quite small. Here it is on top of the AG-10:

Next up: the AG-10.

So the AG-10 is of course just a GM module.

This one comes with the PC-98 software for NEC's PC-9801 platform, a range of mostly Japan-exclusive systems that used many of the same chipsets as in IBM PC compatibles, except with a different hardware implementation. Although the systems run DOS/V (Japanese MS-DOS) and Windows, most programs written for them can't run on IBM compatibles, only starting to converge when Windows 95 became available in a PC-98 version.

Cables and accessories:

I'm missing one of the Korg-branded vertical mounts, but since I will be putting the AG-10 in my rack that won't matter. The serial cable included may look IBM-compatible, but it isn't:

The pin-out is PC-98 specific. It might be that the 25 to 9 pin adapter is actually a converter for IBM PCs, but I'll have to check the connections with a multimeter to be sure...

Software:

All software is for DOS/V, so it will not work on IBM PC compatible DOSses. The Kuwatec software is an oddity: in the screenshots in the manual it looks like it is all in English, despite having been released only in Japan. I wonder whether it will work in an emulator...

Manuals:

One of the programs provided is a software arpeggiator with its own MIDI chart:

continued next post...

Another, Tool de Music, is a sequencer, also with its own MIDI spec:

The AG-10 itself has the same MIDI spec as the MIDI-KG/APW (the charts are exactly the same), except for one thing: the AG-10 accepts special Korg-exclusive sysex messages that can be used to change how the AG-10 processes other MIDI messages, making it possible to split messages between the AG-10 and another Korg module attached to the MIDI OUT port. This effectively means it is possible to chain multiple Korg AG-10 modules and make them play in unison as if they were one module (Yamaha TX-816-style).

Curiously, the Korg serial driver installation instructions come on a printed out sheet:

AG-10 pictures:

Aaaaaaand it looks like the AG-10 is in need of a recap and possibly some continuity checks on some connectors. Popping noise upon starting it, takes a while to warm up before sound comes out, high line noise, a dead left channel on the headphones out but not on the main outs. 😒 Looking at the circuit board, at least one small cap is bulging.

The MIDI-KG/APW however sounds great, despite looking more used than the AG-10. It is also five years newer, so most likely doesn't suffer from Korg's bad capacitor issue that their early 1990s modules are somewhat reputed for - although I thought the AG-10 (1992) was not on the list of affected modules.

Fortunately, the units lack a battery so no problems there... 😀

Sorry to hear about the AG-10 situation. It's a seemingly common problem, unfortunately; I have 05r/w and SC-88 units in similar states of repair candidacy.

Despite the associated movie sucking, here's something fun to run through your AG-3:
http://www.symphoniae.com/misc/KJ14-010.MID

yawetaG wrote:

Aaaaaaand it looks like the AG-10 is in need of a recap and possibly some continuity checks on some connectors. Popping noise upon starting it, takes a while to warm up before sound comes out, high line noise, a dead left channel on the headphones out but not on the main outs. 😒 Looking at the circuit board, at least one small cap is bulging.

Alternate solution: swapping the original and rather tired looking PSU for a generic 12V center-negative unit. This cut down the noise to more acceptable levels. The headphones out connector is wobbly and has a bad connection.