Antares AutoKey 2 vs SESSION™ Key
AutoKey 2 detects key, scale and tempo inside the Auto-Tune workflow. SESSION™ Key combines Mac-wide analysis with supported DAW sends and a separate send to compatible Auto-Tune instances.
In this guide: SESSION™ Key. Apple silicon · macOS 14.4+ · Up to 3 Macs. Price and requirements.
Published by Capiscana, Inc., maker of SESSION™ products. About these comparisons.
On this page 9 sections
Price and what you are buying
| Product / plan | Price and billing | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| AutoKey 2 | $50 once | Standalone product purchase |
| SESSION™ Key | $49 once | Up to three Macs |
Auto-Tune bundle subscriptions are separate offers. Key costs $49 once; choose by the receiving plugin and input workflow, not the $1 difference.
US dollars unless another currency is shown. Taxes may apply. Confirm current offers, renewal terms and requirements on the linked product pages.
The workflow difference
Antares documents Listen, File and Manual modes, plus key-change automation. Its guide recommends polyphonic material such as a mix bus instead of treating an isolated vocal as the best evidence for the song's key. Compatible Auto-Tune versions can receive the result.
For a song with planned key changes, examine AutoKey's automation workflow. For a reference playing outside the DAW, SESSION™ Key can read Mac output before sending its key and major/minor scale to supported open Auto-Tune instances with AutoKey Listen enabled.
SESSION™ Key at a glance
- Price
- $49 once
- Requirements
- macOS 14.4 or later on Apple silicon. One license covers up to three Macs.
- Input and setup
- Read system audio, use the microphone, or drop an audio or MIDI file on the menu bar. Live analysis follows the passage playing; a file gives the analyzer a different span of material.
- Working with it
- Optional Beta sends connect the reading to supported DAWs and Auto-Tune. The fields and setup vary by destination. Check the integration guide before purchasing for a particular send.
- Before the session
- The outline marks a locked reading; green and amber communicate confidence separately. A locked reading can still be uncertain. Listen, check the musical context, and use the half-time or double-time control when the pulse needs it.
Before the first session
Confirm the exact Auto-Tune version and test the receiving instance. A detected key does not decide which notes a particular vocal performance should allow.
Sources and scope
Product documentation reviewed October 17, 2026. These are comparisons of published capabilities, not independent performance tests. Prices and availability can change.
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Questions before choosing
Can SESSION™ Key set Auto-Tune?
The current SESSION™ Key setup lists support for Auto-Tune Pro and Auto-Tune (2026) with AutoKey Listen enabled. Sending applies the full major/minor scale selection; send again after adding an instance.
When should I choose SESSION™ Key instead?
Choose SESSION™ Key when the reference starts outside the DAW and you also need project tempo sends. Choose AutoKey 2 for its dedicated Auto-Tune analysis and key-change automation workflow.
What does Antares AutoKey 2 cost compared with SESSION™ Key?
AutoKey 2: $50 once. Auto-Tune bundle subscriptions are separate offers. Key costs $49 once; choose by the receiving plugin and input workflow, not the $1 difference. SESSION™ Key costs $49 once.