zplane TONIC vs SESSION™ Key
TONIC suggests keys and lets the reader explore compatible notes and chords inside a plugin. SESSION™ Key focuses on key and tempo readings from Mac audio, files and microphones, followed by supported sends.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| zplane TONIC | $46 once | Shop displays VAT included |
| SESSION™ Key | $49 once | Up to three Macs |
The regional checkout may change currency or tax. Confirm the final offer.
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
zplane describes up to three suggested keys, an interactive keyboard, reference-tuning detection and an offline file mode. Its FAQ explains that TONIC evaluates major and minor keys rather than identifying every possible musical mode. It lists AAX, AU and VST3 formats for supported Mac and Windows systems.
For trying a bass line against alternative key suggestions, TONIC's keyboard is part of the workflow. For moving a reference's key and tempo into a session, check SESSION™ Key's destination-specific sends. Both tasks benefit from listening to the suggested tonic against the actual passage.
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
Distinguish a tuning offset from a different key. A recording between concert pitches can require a tuning adjustment even when the tonal center is correct.
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
Does TONIC identify every mode?
zplane's FAQ describes TONIC as a key detector evaluating major and minor keys. The compatible notes and chords it displays should not be read as automatic identification of every mode.
When should I choose SESSION™ Key instead?
Choose SESSION™ Key when you need tempo as well as a key and a route into the project. Choose TONIC when comparing candidate keys at its interactive keyboard is the next step.
What does zplane TONIC cost compared with SESSION™ Key?
zplane TONIC: $46 once. The regional checkout may change currency or tax. Confirm the final offer. SESSION™ Key costs $49 once.