Steinberg Cubase 6 Manual

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Key commands 
						

							542
Key commands
Introduction
Most of the main menus in Cubase have key command 
shortcuts for certain items on the menus. In addition, there 
are numerous other Cubase functions that can be per
-
formed via key commands. These are all default settings.
You can customize existing key commands to your liking, 
and also add commands for many menu items and func
-
tions that currently have no key command assigned. 
You can find out for which functions key commands can 
be assigned by looking in the Key commands dialog (see 
below), or by checking the tooltip for a particular interface 
element. If a tooltip shows [!] at the end, you can assign a 
key command to this function. Assigned key commands 
are shown in the tooltips in square brackets.
How are key commands settings saved?
Every time you edit or add any key command assignment, 
this is stored as a global Cubase preference – not as part 
of a project. If you edit or add a key command assignment, 
any subsequent projects that you create or open will use 
these modified settings. However, the default settings can 
be restored at any time by clicking the Reset All button in 
the Key Commands dialog.
In addition, you can save key commands settings as a “key 
commands file”, which is stored separately and can be im
-
ported into any project. This way you can quickly and easily 
recall customized settings, when moving projects between 
different computers, for example. The settings are saved in 
an XML file on the hard disk.
How to save key commands settings is described in the 
section 
“About key commands presets” on page 544.
Setting up key commands
Adding or modifying a key command
In the Key Commands dialog you will find all main menu 
items and a large number of other functions, arranged in a 
hierarchical way similar to the Windows Explorer and Mac 
OS Finder. The function categories are represented by a 
number of folders, each containing various menu items 
and functions. When you open a category folder by click
-
ing the “+” sign beside it, the items and functions it con-
tains are displayed with the currently assigned key 
commands.
To add a key command, proceed as follows:
1.Pull down the File menu and select “Key Com-
mands…”.
The Key Commands dialog opens.
2.In the Commands list on the left, choose a category.
3.Click the “+” sign to open the category folder and dis-
play the items it contains.
Note that you can also click the “global” “+” and “-” signs in the top left 
corner to open and close all category folders at once.
!You can also assign tool modifier keys, i. e. keys that 
change the behavior of various tools when pressed. 
This is done in the Preferences dialog – see “Setting 
up tool modifier keys” on page 545. 
						

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Key commands
4.In the list, select the item to which you want to assign 
a key command.
Already assigned key commands are shown in the Keys column as well 
as in the Keys section in the top right corner.
5.Alternatively, you can use the search function in the 
dialog to find the desired item.
For a description of how to use the search function, see below.
6.When you have found and selected the desired item, 
click in the “Type in Key” field and enter a new key com
-
mand.
You can choose any single key or a combination of one or several modi-fier keys ([Alt]/[Option], [Ctrl]/[Command], [Shift]) plus any key. Just 
press the keys you want to use.
7.If the key command you enter is already assigned to 
another item or function, this is displayed below the “Type 
in Key” field. 
You can either ignore this and proceed to assign the key command to 
the new function instead, or you can select another key command.
8.Click the Assign button above the field.
The new key command appears in the Keys List.
9.Click OK to exit the dialog.
ÖYou can set up several different key commands for the 
same function. Adding a key command to a function that 
already has another key command will not replace the key 
command previously defined for the function. If you wish 
to remove a key command, see below.
Searching for key commands
If you want to know which key command is assigned to a 
certain function in the program, you can use the Search 
function in the Key Commands dialog:
1.Click in the search text field at the top left of the dialog 
and type in the function for which you want to know the 
key command.
This is a standard word search function, so you should type the command 
as it is spelled in the program. Partial words can be used; to search for all 
quantize related commands, type “Quantize”, “Quant”, etc.
2.Click the Search button (the magnifying glass icon).
The search is conducted and the first matching command is selected 
and displayed in the Commands list below. The Keys column and the 
Keys list show the assigned key commands, if any.
3.To search for more commands containing the word(s) 
you entered, click the Search button again.
4.When you are done, click OK to close the dialog.
Removing a key command
To remove a key command, proceed as follows:
1.Use the list of categories and commands to select the 
item or function for which you wish to remove a key com
-
mand.
The key command is shown in the Keys column and the Keys list.
2.Select the key command in the Keys list and click the 
Delete button (the trash icon).
You are asked whether you really want to remove the key command.
3.Click Remove to remove the selected key command.
4.Click OK to close the dialog.
Setting up macros
A macro is a combination of several functions or com-
mands to be performed in one go. For example, you can 
select all events on the selected audio track, remove DC 
offset, normalize the events and duplicate them, all with a 
single command.
!If the key command you enter is already assigned to 
another function, you will get a warning message 
asking if you really want to reassign the command to 
the new function.
Key commands are displayed here. 
						

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Key commands
Macros are set up in the Key Commands dialog as follows:
1.Click the Show Macros button.
The macro settings are shown in the lower part of the dialog. To hide 
these from view, click the button (now renamed Hide Macros) again.
2.Click New Macro.
A new, unnamed macro appears in the Macros list. Name it by typing the 
desired name. You can rename a macro at any time by selecting it in the 
list and typing in a new name.
3.Make sure that the macro is selected, and use the cat-
egories and commands in the upper half of the dialog to 
select the first command you want to include in the macro.
4.Click Add Command.
The selected command appears in the list of commands in the Macros 
section.
5.Repeat the procedure to add more commands to the 
macro.
Note that commands are added after the currently selected command in 
the list. This allows you to insert commands “in the middle” of an existing 
macro.
A macro with three commands
•To remove a command from the macro, select it in the 
Macros list and click Delete.
•Similarly, to remove an entire macro, select it in the 
Macros list and click Delete.
After you have closed the Key Commands dialog, all mac-
ros you have created appear at the bottom of the Edit menu 
in the Macros submenu, available for instant selection.
You can also assign key commands to macros. All macros 
you have created appear in the upper section of the Key 
Commands dialog under the Macros category – just se
-
lect a macro and assign a key command as with any other 
function.
About key commands presets 
As mentioned above, any changes made to the key com-
mands (and macros) are automatically stored as a Cubase 
preference. However, it is also possible to store key com
-
mands settings separately. This way, you can store any 
number of different key command settings as presets for 
instant recall. 
Saving key commands presets 
Proceed as follows:
1.Set up the key commands and macros to your liking. 
When setting up key commands, remember to click “Assign” to make the 
changes.
2.Click the Save button next to the Presets pop-up 
menu.
A dialog opens, allowing you to type in a name for the preset. 
3.Click OK to save the preset.
Your saved key commands settings are now available on the Presets 
pop-up menu.
Loading key command presets
To load a key command preset, simply select it from the 
Presets pop-up menu. 
ÖThe key command settings you load will replace the 
current key command settings for the same functions (if 
any). If you have macros of the same name as those stored 
in the preset you load, these will be replaced too.
 
If you want to be able to revert to your current settings 
again, make sure to save them first, as described above! 
						

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Key commands
Loading earlier key commands settings 
If you have saved key commands settings with an earlier 
program version, it is possible to use them in this Cubase 
version, by using the “Import Key Command File” function, 
which lets you load and apply saved key commands or 
macros: 
1.Open the Key Commands dialog.
2.Click the “Import Key Command File” button to the 
right of the Presets pop-up menu.
A standard file dialog opens.
3.In the file dialog, use the “Files of type” pop-up menu 
to specify if you want to import a key commands file 
(“.key”) or a macro commands file (extension “.mac”).
When you have imported an older file, you might want to save it as a pre-
set (see above) to be able to access it from the Presets pop-up menu in 
the future.
4.Navigate to the file you want to import and click “Open”.
The file is imported.
5.Click OK to exit the Key Commands dialog and apply 
the imported settings.
The settings in the loaded key commands file or macros file now replace 
the current settings.
About the “Reset” and “Reset All” functions
These two buttons in the Key Commands dialog will both 
restore the default settings. The following rules apply:
•“Reset” will restore the default key command setting for 
the function selected in the Commands list.
•“Reset All” will restore the default key commands for all 
commands.
Setting up tool modifier keys
A tool modifier key is a key you can press to get an alter-
nate function when using a tool. For example, clicking and 
dragging an event with the Arrow tool normally moves it – 
holding down a modifier key (by default [Alt]/[Option]) 
while dragging will copy it instead.
The default assignments for tool modifier keys can be 
found in the Preferences dialog (Editing–Tool Modifiers 
page). Here, you can also edit them:
1.Open the Preferences dialog and select the Editing–
Tool Modifiers page.
2.Select an option in the Categories list, and locate the 
action for which you want to edit the modifier key.
For example, the “Copy” action mentioned above resides in the category 
“Drag & Drop”.
3.Select the action in the Action list.
!Note that the “Reset All” operation will cause any 
changes made to the default key commands to be 
lost! If you want to be able to revert to these settings 
again, make sure to save them first! 
						

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Key commands
4.Hold down the desired modifier key(s) and click the 
Assign button.
The current modifier keys for the action are replaced. If the modifier keys 
you pressed are already assigned to another tool, you will be asked 
whether you want to overwrite them. If you do, this will leave the other 
tool without any modifier keys assigned.
5.When you are done, click OK to apply the changes 
and close the dialog.
The default key commands
Below, the default key commands are listed according to 
category.
Audio category
Automation category
Devices category
Edit category
!When the Virtual Keyboard is displayed, the usual key 
commands are blocked because they are reserved for 
the Virtual Keyboard. The only exceptions are: [Ctrl]/
[Command]-[S] (Save), Num
 [*] (Start/Stop Record), 
[Space] (Start/Stop Playback), Num
 [1] (Jump to left 
locator), [Delete] or [Backspace] (Delete), Num
 [/] 
(Cycle on/off), [F2] (Show/Hide Transport panel), and 
[Alt]/[Option]-[K] (Show/Hide Virtual Keyboard).
OptionKey command
Adjust Fades to Range[A]
Auto-Grid[Shift]-[Q]
Crossfade[X]
Find Selected in Pool[Ctrl]/[Command]-[F]
OptionKey command
Open Panel[F6]
Toggle Read Enable All Tracks[Alt]/[Option]-[R]
Toggle Write Enable All Tracks[Alt]/[Option]-[W]
OptionKey command
Mixer[F3]
Video[F8]
Virtual Keyboard[Alt]/[Option]-[K]
VST Connections[F4]
VST Instruments [F11]
VST Performance[F12]
OptionKey command
Autoscroll[F]
Copy[Ctrl]/[Command]-[C]
Cut[Ctrl]/[Command]-[X]
Cut Time[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[X]
Delete[Delete] or [Backspace]
Delete Time[Shift]-[Backspace]
Duplicate[Ctrl]/[Command]-[D]
Edit In-Place[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[I]
Group[Ctrl]/[Command]-[G]
Insert Silence[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[E]
Left Selection Side to Cursor[E]
Lock[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[L]
Move to Cursor[Ctrl]/[Command]-[L]
Move to Front (Uncover)[U]
Mute[M]
Mute Events[Shift]-[M]
Mute/Unmute Objects[Alt]/[Option]-[M]
Open Default Editor[Ctrl]/[Command]-[E]
Open Score Editor[Ctrl]/[Command]-[R]
Open/Close Editor[Return]
Paste[Ctrl]/[Command]-[V]
Paste at Origin[Alt]/[Option]-[V]
Paste Time[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[V]
Record Enable[R]
Redo[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[Z]
Repeat[Ctrl]/[Command]-[K]
Right Selection Side to Cursor[D]
Select All[Ctrl]/[Command]-[A]
Select None[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[A] 
						

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Key commands
Editors category
File category
Media category
MIDI category
Navigate category
Snap On/Off[J]
Solo[S]
Split At Cursor[Alt]/[Option]-[X]
Split Range[Shift]-[X]
Toggle Edit Group on  Selected Tracks[K]
Undo[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z]
Ungroup[Ctrl]/[Command]-[U]
Unlock[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[U]
Unmute Events[Shift]-[U]
OptionKey command
Show/Hide Infoview[Ctrl]/[Command]-[I]
Show/Hide Inspector[Alt]/[Option]-[I]
Show/Hide Overview[Alt]/[Option]-[O]
OptionKey command
Close[Ctrl]/[Command]-[W]
New[Ctrl]/[Command]-[N]
Open[Ctrl]/[Command]-[O]
Quit[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Q]
Save[Ctrl]/[Command]-[S]
Save As[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[S]
Save New Version[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-[S]
OptionKey command
Open MediaBay [F5]
Open Mini Browser[F7]
Preview Cycle On/Off[Shift]-Num [/]
Preview Start[Shift]-[Enter]
Preview Stop[Shift]-Num [0]
Search MediaBay[Shift]-[F5]
Toggle Attribute Inspector[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-Num 
[6]
Toggle Filters[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-Num 
[5]
Option Key command
Toggle Location Tree[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-Num 
[4]
Toggle Locations[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-Num 
[8]
Toggle Previewer[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-Num 
[2]
OptionKey command
Show/Hide Controller Lanes[Alt]/[Option]-[L]
OptionKey command
Add Down:Expand/Undo selection in the Project 
window to the bottom/ Move se-lected event in the Key Editor down 
1 octave
[Shift]-[Down Arrow]
Add Left:Expand/Undo selection in the Project 
window/Key Editor to the left[Shift]-[Left Arrow]
Add Right:Expand/Undo selection in the Project 
window/Key Editor to the right[Shift]-[Right Arrow]
Add Up:Expand/Undo selection in the Project 
window to the top/Move selected 
event in the Key Editor up one octave[Shift]-[Up Arrow]
Down:Select next in the Project window/
Move selected event in the Key 
Editor one semitone down[Down Arrow]
Left:Select next in the Project window/
Key Editor[Left Arrow]
Right: Select next in the Project window/
Key Editor[Right Arrow]
Up:Select next in the Project window/ 
Move selected event in the Key 
Editor one semitone up[Up Arrow]
BottomSelect bottom track in the track list[End]
Top: Select top track in the track list[Home]
Toggle Selection[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Space]
Option Key command 
						

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Key commands
Nudge category
Project category
Quantize category
Tool category
Transport category
OptionKey command
End Left[Alt]/[Option]-[Shift]-[Left Arrow]
End Right[Alt]/[Option]-[Shift]-[Right Arrow]
Left[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Left Arrow]
Right[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Right Arrow]
Start Left[Alt]/[Option]-[Left Arrow]
Start Right[Alt]/[Option]-[Right Arrow]
OptionKey command
Open Browser[Ctrl]/[Command]-[B]
Open Markers[Ctrl]/[Command]-[M]
Open Pool[Ctrl]/[Command]-[P]
Open Tempo Track Editor[Ctrl]/[Command]-[T]
Remove Track[Shift]-[Del]
Setup[Shift]-[S]
OptionKey command
Quantize[Q]
OptionKey command
Delete tool[5]
Draw tool[8]
Drumstick tool[0]
Glue tool[4]
Mute tool[7]
Next Tool[F10]
Play tool[9]
Previous Tool[F9]
Range tool[2]
Select tool[1]
Split tool[3]
Zoom tool[6]
OptionKey command
Auto Punch In[I]
Auto Punch Out[O]
CycleNum [/]
Exchange time formats[.]
Fast Forward[Shift]-Num [+]
Fast Rewind[Shift]-Num [-]
ForwardNum [+]
Input Left Locator[Shift]-[L]
Input Position[Shift]-[P]
Input Right Locator[Shift]-[R]
Input Tempo[Shift]-[T]
Insert Marker[Insert] (Win)
Locate Next Event[N]
Locate Next Hitpoint[Alt]/[Option]-[N]
Locate Next Marker[Shift]-[N]
Locate Previous Event[B]
Locate Previous Hitpoint[Alt]/[Option]-[B]
Locate Previous Marker[Shift]-[B]
Locate Selection[L]
Locators to Selection[P]
Loop Selection[Shift]-[G]
Metronome On[C]
Nudge Cursor Left[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [-]
Nudge Cursor Right[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [+]
Panel (Transport panel)[F2]
Play Selection Range[Alt]/[Option]-[Space]
Recall Cycle Marker 1 to 9[Shift]-Num [1] to Num [9]
RecordNum [*]
Retrospective Record[Shift]-Num [*]
Return to ZeroNum [.] or Num [,] or Num [;]
RewindNum [-]
Set Left Locator[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [1]
Set Marker 1[Ctrl]/[Command]-[1]
Set Marker 2[Ctrl]/[Command]-[2]
Set Marker 3 to 9[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [3] to [9] or [Ctrl]/[Command]- [3] to [9]
Set Right Locator[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [2]
Start[Enter] 
						

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Key commands
Windows category
Workspace category
Zoom category
Start/Stop[Space]
StopNum [0]
To Left LocatorNum [1]
To Marker 1[Shift]-[1]
To Marker 2[Shift]-[2]
To Marker 3 to 9Num [3] to [9] or [Shift]-[3] to [9]
To Right LocatorNum [2]
Use External Sync[T]
OptionKey command
Inline: Key Commands[Shift]-[F4]
Inline: Settings[Shift]-[F3]
Inline: View Layout[Shift]-[F2]
OptionKey command
Lock/Unlock Active Workspace[Alt]/[Option]-Num [0]
New[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [0]
Organize[W]
Workspace 1-9[Alt]/[Option]-Num [1-9]
Workspace X[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-Num 
[0]
OptionKey command
Zoom Full[Shift]-[F]
Zoom In[H]
Zoom In Tracks[Alt]/[Option]-[Down Arrow]
Zoom Out[G]
Zoom Out Tracks[Alt]/[Option]-[Up Arrow] or [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Up Arrow]
Zoom to Event[Shift]-[E]
Zoom to Selection[Alt]/[Option]-[S]
Zoom Tracks Exclusive[Z] or [Ctrl]/[Command]- [Down Arrow]
Option Key command 
						

							Part II:
Score layout and printing
(Cubase only)