Scaler 3 and Scaler Detector vs SESSION™ Key
Scaler 3 develops chord progressions and arrangements; Scaler Detector isolates key, scale and chord detection. SESSION™ Key is a menu-bar analysis and send workflow for the current Mac session.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Scaler 3 | $99 once | Desktop license; Detector included |
| Scaler Detector | $9 regular standalone price | Included at $0 with Scaler 3 |
| SESSION™ Key | $49 once | Up to three Macs |
The official cart showed Scaler 3 at $99 and the bundled Detector at $0. The $39 Scaler offer is an eligible upgrade, not a new full license.
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
Scaler 3 detects harmony from audio and MIDI and provides tools for developing it. Scaler Detector is offered as a standalone application and plugin, with audio/MIDI input, file analysis and compatible chord exploration. The manufacturer says Detector is included with Scaler 3 purchases.
If the next step is writing a new progression, Scaler's composition tools belong in the comparison. If the next step is setting an existing project from a reference, compare the analysis inputs and the receiving DAW. A composition environment and a project-setting utility can serve different moments in the same session.
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
Separate chord exploration from BPM estimation and direct project control. Do not assume a plugin's DAW compatibility means it writes the host's tempo or key fields.
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
Is Scaler Detector included with Scaler 3?
The current Scaler Detector product page says existing and new Scaler 3 owners can download it from their account. Check the account before purchasing a separate detector.
When should I choose SESSION™ Key instead?
Choose Key to move from an existing reference to supported project settings. Choose Scaler when the next task is developing a chord progression or arrangement.
What does Scaler 3 and Scaler Detector cost compared with SESSION™ Key?
Scaler 3: $99 once. Scaler Detector: $9 regular standalone price. The official cart showed Scaler 3 at $99 and the bundled Detector at $0. The $39 Scaler offer is an eligible upgrade, not a new full license. SESSION™ Key costs $49 once.