Which one do you recommend?
 
My upgrade price for Lounge Lizard is $49, which is also the same sale price as Neo Soul Keys desktop version.
Lounge Lizard is modeled, whereas Neo Soul Keys is Sample Based.
Lounge Lizard has a smaller disk size (63mg) whereas Neo Soul Keys takes up 21GB
Lounge Lizard seems a little brighter, whereas Neo Soul Keys seems a little mellower/darker/ and geared for Neo Soul vibe (correct me if I am wrong).
I suspect Lounge Lizard has less of a hit on the CPU, and I glean from the videos of Neo Soul Keys that it can be demanding on the CPU (correct me if I am wrong).
 
Both sound great, both have multiple Rhodes and Wurlys, plus some other Eps.
 
FYI- I already own the full version of Overloud's VKFX suite; so Neo Souls inclusion of VKFX will not factor into the choice.
 
I have NI's Scarbee, Air's Velvet, Arturia's Stage 73 and Wurly, XLN Audio's version, GSI's Mr Ray and Mr Tramp as well as the Cakewalk version of Lounge Lizard Session.
 
I have the $49 to spend and will get either Lounge Lizard Ep4 or Neo Soul Keys.
 
So, which would you get, why?
 
Thanks for the help
C2

Well, if you’re looking for the playability of a modeled version, also have a look at Pianoteq’s Electric Pianos.
Lounge Lizard is really good, but we may be looking at an update/upgrade in the months to come, as version 4 has been out for quite a while. But again, it’s really good, very playable, with a primarily clean sound.
Neo Soul Keys Studio has an incredible amount of keyboards included, but the best of them are full of grit and dirt. There’s a nice endorsement reference from George Duke that says it all. That’s what makes them stand out. It’s standalone (like Lounge Lizard). Check those vids on both, they’ll show you how they differ. Finally, if you have an iPad, you can also get Neo Soul Keys Studio for that tablet at a lower price. Hope this helps.

.

I have LL4 and it is my go to ep. Quick to load, small foot print and very playable. I believe you can get a demo version to try out.

My current favorites are the ones from Waves, particularly the Rhodes. Watch out for $29 deals.

I have Lounge Lizard and Addictive Keys, both I am happy enough with. If I was to venture further, Soniccouture has some interesting offerings. They are often overlooked, I guess because of the price, but at least they re Kontact Player compatle
 
 

musichoo
I have LL4 and it is my go to ep. Quick to load, small foot print and very playable. I believe you can get a demo version to try out.

  Was tempted too but I don't want GBs of EP.   We neglect ones included in softsynths and also in Komplete.  Plus AAS moves you towards their everything bundle.
 

Kind of agree with Fleer’s take. Sometimes , ironically, I think, the Lizard sounds too good ie with an ever so slight sheen and without some of the random imperfections that those instruments have in real life —but all in a VERY addictive way. Both are great to the extent I’ve lost any GAS for other EPs.

I think Neo Soul is the best for EPs among the sampled instruments and Pianoteq is the best among modeled. IMO.
I use AAS instruments when I need to develop musical ideas without a huge memory footprint and without having to wait for a project to load all samples and articulations. And they are easy on CPU too.

Thanks for all the help.  All of your replies above have been helpful.
 
I am leaning more toward Neo Soul Keys right now and looking at other threads on the Cakewalk site when Neo Soul Keys v4 was released made it clear that many here have recommended it in the past.  I also just played through my collection of EPs and I do not have an EP that has the vibe of Neo Soul Keys.  For $49 it will be a good addition to the collection.  Also, since it was noted above that AAS's EP-4 "may" be up for an upgrade in the not to distant future, I will wait on it.  EP-4 also sounds so "clean" compared to Neo Soul Keys and I am right now looking more for that Neo Soul vibe.  My concerns with Neo Soul Keys were the CPU hit, the 21GB disk size and whether or not it would sit well in a mix.  I can always layer in some of the Lounge Lizard Cakewalk Session version that I already have to brighten it up.
 
For $49 Neo Soul Keys just seems like a no-brainer for me right now.
 
Again, I do appreciate all the very helpful info and advice.
 
C2