Casio CTK-611

Pretty darn easy to use. I figured out how to do just about everything this thing can (and can't) do in a week or so. The manual could be much better. I'm not impressed with the pitch bender, it's a joke because you can't control it -- either werrrr all the way up or woooorrr all the way down. Trying to get decent bends must be done in a seqencer and a little MIDI programming, because I have some samples which make killer effects on it.
I use Music Studio v2000 as a sequencer, and must say, these two don't work well togethor. Howevere, I am an amateur, but I program computers for a living. I am unable as of yet to figure out how to get the stupid thing to play through my Sound Blaster Live! using different banks and sounds, but that isn't a Casio problem. Also can't figure out how to get Music Studio to understand my user banks on the keyboard. Arrg! All in all, for $179, this is a great keyboard to have a lot of fun with and learn on, but you will quickly find just how limited it is. (especially if you use the onboard memory and try mixing a lot of effects with echoes and drums, it just craps out after 5 voices or so). The sounds vary from very good to total crap, you'll figure that out when you mess with it.

I think the effects are pretty decent for the price. They are, of course, limited, but, you can really get some weird sounds if you play with it. The MIDI capabilites are great for GM, but haven't figured out how to get to the user banks from the PC. The onboard memory (sequencer?) let's you record up to 6 tracks as well as drums and stuff. It has some ok beats built in too, and it's fun get the thing going on a chord progression. Only bummer is I can't figure out how to repeat a loop on it, and don't think it can actually. Also, the memory feature will crap out if you have too much shit going on with a lot of effects (like a delay like feature you can get with the DCM1/DCM2 synth sounds) and drums etc. Oh the speakers suck so bad I'd suggest getting a small Lansing Altec computer speakers with subwoofer. On a good speaker set it sounds good and on headphones it really rocks.

Well, some of the sounds are great, but I swear to God that a lot of them are the same friggin sound over and over. Like the bottle, pan flute, etc etc. The trumpet is bad, but the french horn is cool as shit. The best sounds I like are the Chorus with echoes, Saw wave, Square Wave, and SawSynth. The piano sound is really great. The guitar could be improved. Again, it's $179 folks, so if you're an amateur it's a great product to play with. This can not be taken seriously by a professional, as it is not geared to them. For amateurs, it is an excellent keyboard.

I just jam at home really, but I can't trust it to keep my settings. It seems to 'forget' all the time and I'm shit out of luck and have to redo everything. There is a way to upload to the computer, but have no idea how it works. I honestly wouldn't recommend this for anything other than home use and learning. It's an excellent introduction to computer music and keyboarding, but it's limitations are extremely apparent even to me an amateur.

Never dealt with 'em. Beat's me! I'll let you know when it craps out ok? It's so cheap it wouldn't be worth it anyways for me...

If it were stolen, shit, well, just go to Mars and get a Roland I guess. It's a good piece of equipment but I won't wig out if it gets ripped off. I WOULD get pissed if my Les Paul were ripped now, then I'd kill someone for that. I've played keyboard about 2 years (but, as a hobbyist only) and guitar since i was 6 or so. I'm not particularily great at either. I'm more into the programming side of MIDI and DSP really... The only thing I can say is that if you want a cheap keyboard to learn on and play around with, this can't be beat. If you want to do serious sound sampling and make weird sounds, don't get this keyboard. It's a beginner keyboard and perfect for such. I choose it because it was cheap and looked like a good intro to get me ready when I go to buy a real setup next year. Wanted to learn the basics of computer MIDI first.

For 200 bucks this thing is incredible. Everything is laid out very well and very intuitive. I haven't tried playing with the synth section yet because the layering feature produces some nice hybrid sounds.

The polyphony is 24. I am learning to play piano and it seems to be enough. The reverbs are very nice and sounds very cool in headphones. The keys are pressure sensitive, and there is midi in and out. It's gotta pitch bend wheel that is kind of cheesy. The back lit display is nice late at night and since it has a staff that shows what notes are being played it really helps learning the keyboard.

I don't know what it is about this thing, but once you get to layering the sounds on this thing are incredible. Some of the orchestral instruments wouldn't fool anyone but each has its own personality. And once you plug it into a loud amp it really kicks ass. The rhythms are kind of cool and the basses are really "phat"

seems very reliable so far. I would depend on it. Although I don't like the idea that I could lose all my settings if the batteries go dead.

don't know.

this this kicks ass. it sounds great for the price and better than any general midi sound card. it has midi on it so its expandable. very inspiring when you start layering sounds together.

After several months with the CTK-611, I have to say that I haven't encountered too many problems. It's incredibly easy to use...Push a few buttons, and you've arrived at your sound. As a long-time pianist, the Casio helped with transposition of classical pieces and helped me edit in the sounds of orchestras. However, this is a programming NIGHTMARE. After reading the manual several times, I realized that I had no idea how to program in more than one line. If you are an experienced programmer, you will probably be able to flog his thing and make it work some wonders, but for a student like me who hasn't go the time or expertise, find something else if you are sot on recording! I did enjoy the user settings options, which allowed me to put all of the sounds I needed for a song right next to each other, where I could simply pluck them whenever they were needed.

I deeply enjoyed the pressure sesitivity options, since, as a classical pianist, I need an understanding of sound! This is basically a low-frills keyboard; it does have some enveloping options, but nothing too flashy. It is MIDI-capable, btu I haven't really stopped to figure it out.

The piano settings were the most realistic, and the strings the least. However, the tone is crisp and magnificent if you overlook the fact that several settings sound bubbly and fake. Classical and rock/pop would be your best bets.

I haven't had any malfunctions yet after about six months. I'd definitely use it at a gig without backup...I can't even imagine what could go wrong. It's lightweight and VERY mobile.

Great for students. I love it. However, if ou're more of the proffessional type, go with KORG or some other model. I'd definitely buy it again.