Name: Lounge Lizard EP-5
Brand: Applied Acoustics Systems
Price: 185.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.40 (5 reviews)

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Lounge Lizard EP-5 by Applied Acoustics Systems is a Virtual Instrument Audio Plugin for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin, an Audio Units Plugin, a VST 3 Plugin and an AAX Plugin.

Product
Version

5.1.3

Product
Version

5.1.3

Tags:Keys AAS Instruments Applied Acoustics Systems Electric Piano KVR Readers Choice Awards 2019 Nominee 2020 Nominee 2021 Nominee 2022 Nominee 2025 Nominee Lounge Lizard EP-4 Lounge Lizard EP-5 Lounge Lizard Series Universal 2 Binary

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Modeled after the most sought-after vintage electric pianos, Lounge Lizard EP-5 is a complete solution that delivers the authentic tone, action, and feel of classic instruments. Since its debut in 2002, the award-winning Lounge Lizard has continually evolved—now featuring a dual-engine architecture dedicated to faithfully modeling both tine-based and reed-based pianos.

With a state-of-the-art physical modeling core, EP-5 offers unmatched realism, warmth, and expressiveness. Instantly explore a curated library of inspiring classic and custom electric piano sounds—each rich in character and ready to play.

For those who want to go deeper, EP-5 provides hands-on access to every aspect of the instrument's behavior. Tweak the hammer, tine or reed, pickup, and damper noise—or sculpt your sound further using the integrated, studio-grade effects rack. Whether you're aiming for vintage authenticity or creating something uniquely your own, Lounge Lizard EP-5 offers unmatched flexibility.

Whether on stage or in the studio, Lounge Lizard EP-5 delivers the expressive sound of vintage electric pianos—beautifully packaged with all the tools you need to shape, play, and perform.

Dual Engine Precision

AAS' fully redesigned physical modeling core now features dedicated models for tine-based and reed-based pianos offers unmatched realism, warmth, and expressiveness.

See what's under the hood.

Enhanced Browsing Experience

With an improved browser and an all-new search engine, navigating your Lounge Lizard library has never been quicker or more intuitive.

Authenticity Perfected

The completely new Lounge Lizard EP‑5 factory library introduces over 150 new piano sounds, offering deeper expression, richer tone, and unparalleled authenticity.

Redesigned for a True-to-Life Experience.

The redesigned dual-piano interface offers a simple view for a clean, straightforward experience and an advanced view for fine-tuning, delivering a more realistic, immersive feel.

Tine-based Piano

A studio staple with unmatched versatility. With its unmistakable smooth, mellow, crystal-clear tone—or warm, velvety, richly expressive growl—it brings timeless character to any track.

Reed-based Piano

This piano is all about attitude—gritty, punchy, and full of raw charm. Its warm bark and organic growl have powered countless classic records. From soft and mellow to raunchy and overdriven, it responds beautifully to your playing style.

Top features:

Complete electric piano solution.
Great on stage or in the studio.
State-of-the-art physical modeling for unmatched realism.
Onboard effects rack.
NEW Dual synthesis engine (tine-based, reed-based).
NEW Completely redesigned physical modeling core.
NEW Dedicated UI for each piano type.
NEW Redesigned browser with search function.
NEW New library of classic and custom pianos.
Standalone instrument version.
Support for all major plug-in formats.
NKS support.
In-depth documentation and tutorials.
Neat Features.
Scalable GUI.
Easy synchronization of effects to DAW.
Support for micro tuning.

Effects List:

Auto-Wah.
Chorus.
Compressor.
Delay.
Distortion.
Flanger.
NEW Guitar Amplifier.
Multi-band Equalizer.
Notch Filter.
Phaser.
Reverb.
Tremolo.
Wah-Wah.

Benefits of physical modeling:

Sound manipulation at the source core.
Presets load in a flash.
Super smooth dynamics—no velocity layers.
Small memory footprint—less than 256 MB of RAM per instance.
Installs in less than a minute—less than 33 MB on disk.

{See video at top of page}

https://youtu.be/-Db6sD3rpg8

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 4.40 from 5 reviews

Read all reviews Add A Review

Lounge Lizard EP-5

Reviewed By tommyzai [all]
December 3rd, 2012
Version reviewed: 10.7 on Mac

2 3

Lounge Lizard by Applied Acoustic Systems is a wonderful electric piano plugin based on physical modeling, not samples! It doesn't use much CPU and the sound is splendid. You can probably find exactly what you need from the list of presets, but if not. .. it's easy to tweek and create unique EP sounds. I have read a lot of debates about what is the best Rhodes VST. IMO, Lounge Lizard sounds better and is easier to work with than the original and the many sample library emulations. I used to be a sample guru, but after checking out this AAS plugin I can see the many advantages of a Physical Modeling electric piano — no loop points, no out-of-tune samples, no key-mapping, etc. It's also nice to free up space on the hard drive. But most of all — it sounds great and sits wonderfully in the mix. Lounge Lizard is dynamic and inspirational set of virtual EP keys!

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Lounge Lizard EP-5

Reviewed By Rabid [all]
January 28th, 2004
Version reviewed: 2 on Windows

7 0

This is a purchase that I put off for a long time because I hate the
challenge-response method of copy protection. Once I finally gave in I wish I had bought Lounge Lizard earlier. At least registration process immediately sends you the registration key. As for sounds there is nothing for the PC that comes close when you need a variety of ep’s. It handles Rhodes and Whurly equally well. Some may complain about the Lounge Lizard sounding darker or duller than the Emagic product, but Lounge Lizard sounds like a real Rhodes or Whurly. If you want that bright, clean, clear and heavily processed sound then you only need to follow it with some effects, just as you would the real hardware. The phaser, tremolo, and other effects sections can be programmed for the sound you want, and turned on and off at will. This doe not work well when you are pulling up a sequence. It is a bit CPU heavy, but so is most good VSTi's. You can always cut back the polyphony when sequencing, then mute other VSTi's and up the polyphony when you want to record Lounge Lizard to HD.

Positive:
True Rhodes and Whurly sound.
Authentic effects like we used on the originals.
Easy to dial up sounds.
No irritating key mapping or velocity sample changes. It does not use samples.

Negatives:
Challenge response copy protection.
Skimpy customer service.

The best option available for the PC if you want authentic electronic pianos. This is a must buy.

Robert

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Lounge Lizard EP-5

Reviewed By luCiPHer [all]
January 20th, 2004
Version reviewed: 2.0 on Windows

4 0

The Lounge Lizard is no e-piano emulation, it can easily sound like any e-piano you have ever dreamed of, but it can be much more.
you want organ-like sounds? no problem.
bells? no problem.
synthie sounds? no problem.
percussive sounds? no problem (you can make a bassdrum if you want!)
you can create clicky sounds, effect sounds, noisy stuff, pads...

there are some examples for exotic sounds within the presets.

don't get me wrong, lounge lizard is not a "real synthie", all sounds will sound like a "keyboard", but it's physical modelling is extremely flexible.
and of course its strength are e-pianos of all kinds, vintage, mutated, modern ...everything is possible.

it has some vintage effects onboard as well, simple but effective.
i'd still like some kind of distortion unit, but you can add that of course.

lounge lizard is also fun to play, it simply feels like "something real", it's organic, metallic, woody...

soundquality is great.

gui is nice.

polyphony seems limited, just 32 voices.

it eats quite some cpu, be prepared.

lounge lizard never crashed for me.

i love this instrument and i use it in almost every project.

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Lounge Lizard EP-5

Reviewed By multree [all]
December 21st, 2003
Version reviewed: EP-2 on Windows

4 0

When I started to record songs on my computer I got myself a version of Emagic's 'Logic Audio'. And with the 5th incarnation of this sequencer, they introduced me into the world of VST Instruments. One of the first VSTi's I got my hands on was the 'EVP73'. This simple and plain copy of a Fender Rhodes E-Piano didn't sound bad but was far away from being a true Rhodes. I even tried the 30 day demo version of its bigger brother the 'EVP88', and liked that even more but still some dirt was missing.

But why am I talking about these VSTi's when the article is about another one ? The answer is pretty simple: if the EVP88 is the EVP73's older brother, then Applied Acoustics Systems' 'Lounge Lizard 2' has to be their father (for it can sound so older & dirtier), their little sister (because it can screech & scratch) and even the lake in front of their house (when sounding crystal clear) at the same time. By the way there is now a crossgrade offer for EVP88 & EVP73 users for $139 - so be shure to check this out.

The sound of the 'Lounge Lizard' is way more than a simple emulation of e-pianos like 'Fender Rhodes' and 'Wurlitzer'. It's possible to make this metallic looking beauty sound like - well - like a soulman's wet dream. And even FX sounds are no problem. Preset names like "a mouse in my head" & "turtle bells" might give you a hint.

The GUI is divided in an e-piano (mallet, fork, pick up & release) and an effect section (wah, phaser, tremolo & delay). The first let's you choose the basic sound you'd like to start from (though with extreme settings you might not need any effects) and the second; the effect section gives you the power to mangle your sound beyond recognition. But as I said, even without the effects the sound is unbelievably good. You can achieve sounds from "mm? I don't see no Rhodes. So where does this sound come from?" to "Which instrument is that?"

One thing though - I would've liked to have this beautiful fx (wah, phaser etc.) as independent plugs. Just like old times where you could use your guitar stomp box with your Rhodes and vice versa. But anyway if you're looking for this true Rhodes / Wurlitzer sound or just want a new toy which inspires you - take a look at this - you'll be amazed. Unfortunately there's no demo version of Lounge Lizard EP-2 on their website, but the mp3 demos should give you a good idea of what this VSTi is capable of.

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Lounge Lizard EP-5

Reviewed By paul minot [all]
October 23rd, 2003
Version reviewed: 2.0 on Windows

1 1

I would like to generally concur with the reviews above--this thing is a great electric piano emulator. I am not concerned about the quality of the overdrive, since it generally sounds OK to me, and have an array of saturation/distortion plugs I like to choose from for different effects. The GUI is beautiful but a little daunting, but that largely has to do with the complexity and novelty of the physical modelling algorithm--it simply has nothing to do with the familiar subtractive synthesis format, although it is easier to get your brain around than FM, at least. The points I would like to raise about this instrument are:

-Even more than your usual synth, LL benefits from the use of a MIDI controller, for some reason. Having a controller (my recently acquired UC-16) REALLY increased my enjoyment of editing the patches.

-Although it is excellent at doing electric pianos, it also EXCELS at doing percussive timbres that are out of the ordinary, like "mutant xylophone/vibes from hell"--the kind of patches you generally turn to FM to do, but much easier to accomplish/edit in LL. Run these patches through the phase/tremolo/pan options, and you can get some really weird, beautiful, and cool shiznit going on.

The update includes enhancement of the release function, tempo sync, and much better patch organization, but costs a little too much IMHO. I actually like having an instrument I can't sync--increases the random quotient of my tunes. Anyway, a very classy instrument overall.

Read Review

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Comments & Discussion for Applied Acoustics Systems Lounge Lizard EP-5

Discussion: Active

techdawg
1 May 2016 at 3:07pm

I downloaded sound banks for Lounge Lizard EP-4. The files have a .dxt extension which is not the lounge lizard native bank format. Anyone knows how to load those files into Lounge Lizard?

Teh_Bie
20 July 2016 at 3:45pm

Hi, also having difficulty with this. Would really appreciate some guidance from someone in the know.

Cheers.

Kintozero
22 October 2017 at 1:03am

Lounge Lizard EP-4 was released on December 13, 2012. Check the dates of the patches you downloaded: if it's older than that, it may be for a previous version.

Vospi
27 November 2019 at 8:16pm

Would old sounds in legacy projects sound the same or would they change after an update?

markus.schloesser
20 December 2019 at 1:18am

that's exactly my question as well! couldn't find an answer anywhere.

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