AAS unveil Lounge Lizard EP-5

Applied Acoustics Systems have released Lounge Lizard EP‑5, the latest version of their electric piano instrument for macOS and Windows. Building on more than two decades of development, EP‑5 features a redesigned physical modelling engine and a dual-instrument architecture which is said to deliver the authentic tone, touch and nuance of both tine- and reed-based electric pianos.

Originally launched (and reviewed by SOS) in 2002, Lounge Lizard EP-1 quickly became a go-to for producers and keyboardists seeking the vibe of vintage gear without the mechanical headaches. With EP‑5, AAS brings the instrument into a new era. The updates to the modelling core are claimed to improve realism and response, while the addition of separate engines for fork- and reed-based instruments expands its expressive range. Each engine comes with its own tailored interface, giving players intuitive control over key aspects of the sound. Whether you want to sculpt the hammer, tweak the tine, adjust pickup response or introduce mechanical imperfections like damper noise, EP‑5 provides deep control over many elements of the sound engine.

Users can switch between Simple and Expert views to access more of the audio engine's controls.

The updated library includes a wide selection of factory presets which range from classic Rhodes and Wurlitzer emulations to more experimental voices. The improved browser, with search and tagging functionality, makes it easy to quickly find the right tone. The integrated studio effects rack rounds out the package with chorus, delay, reverb, EQ and more.