At only two hundred dollars, the Casio WK-110 keyboard is the perfect choice for someone looking to buy a keyboard for the first time, or for someone just looking for a cheap 76 key MIDI controller.

For a keyboard of this price, it comes with a remarkable amount of high end features including touch responsive keys, MIDI output, over 500 sounds, and 125 rhythms included in its sound bank.

This keyboard also comes with the Casio 3-Step lesson program which can help the beginning keyboardist learn over 100 programmed songs.  It doesn't have light up keys like some cheaper keyboards, but I feel those just make it look gimmicky.

In addition, the USB port on the back means you won't need to purchase a pricey USB-MIDI adapter!! Like I said earlier, the WK-110 has all the features you'll need in a basic MIDI controller or beginning keyboard.

• 76 Touch Responsive Keys
• 3 Step Lesson Program
• 32 Registration Memory
• 515 Sounds
• 125 Rhythms
  
• Type B USB MIDI output
• Line In/Out
  

The Pros:

This keyboard is inexpensive, flexible, and the touch responsive keys make it great for learning and as a MIDI controller.  For $200 there really isn't much better you can get.

Plus, the USB-MIDI out eliminates the need to buy a costly MIDI to USB cable for your computer.

The Cons:

However, the USB port and lack of a standard MIDI port is also one of the keyboards detriments.  The absence of the standard MIDI port prevents the use of the keyboard with a lot of electronic audio equipment, including synthesizers and mixers.  You can get around this, however, by routing the MIDI output through a computer first.

Also, the WK-110 does not ship with Mac drivers, but with a little bit of searching you can find a working solution.  My Casio WK-110 Mac Drivers tutorial will help you out with that.

Also, keep in mind that these things aren't built like your thousand dollar vintage synths.  After a couple years of heavy use you will need to replace the keyboard, but by then you'll have more experience and be able to handle a more feature-filled model.

I highly recommend the Casio WK-110 keyboard for beginners and folks who want a cheap MIDI controller for composing music on their computer, but for a serious performing musician you will want a keyboard with standard MIDI out.