SongBPM vs SESSION™ Key
SongBPM searches published song entries for key and tempo. SESSION™ Key analyzes the audio being played or supplied, including material that has no released-song entry.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SongBPM | Free song lookup | See product limits |
| SESSION™ Key | $49 once | Up to three Macs |
A catalog lookup is not analysis of your current audio.
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
The SongBPM homepage provides a song search and entries showing key, BPM and duration. A title lookup is useful when the desired recording is already cataloged. It does not establish the key of a new demo, a slowed version or an edited sample on the listener's computer.
Use the exact recording title, version and duration to assess a database match. When the reference has been pitched or stretched, analyze that version and check the result against the music before setting the production 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
Do not mistake a database match for identification of an unreleased file. Record which version supplied the reference before copying its key or tempo.
Sources and scope
Product documentation reviewed October 17, 2026. These are comparisons of published capabilities, not independent performance tests. Prices and availability can change.
Related comparisons
Questions before choosing
Why can a SongBPM result differ from the audio I hear?
The entry can refer to another recording or mix, while the audio being played can be edited, pitched or stretched. Tempo can also be interpreted at half or double the displayed value.
When should I choose SESSION™ Key instead?
Choose SESSION™ Key when a reference needs to become a reading beside your open Mac session, followed by a supported project send. Use SongBPM when its focused file or song-lookup workflow is all the job needs.
What does SongBPM cost compared with SESSION™ Key?
SongBPM: Free song lookup. A catalog lookup is not analysis of your current audio. SESSION™ Key costs $49 once.