Steinberg Cubase Essential 4 Operation Manual

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Key commands 
						

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Key commands
Introduction
Most of the main menus in Cubase Essential have key 
command shortcuts for certain items on the menus. In ad-
dition, there are numerous other Cubase Essential func-
tions that can be performed via key commands. These are 
all default settings. If you want, you can customize existing 
key commands to your liking, and also add commands for 
menu items and functions currently not assigned any.
How are key commands settings saved?
Every time you edit or add any key command assignment, 
this is stored as a global Cubase Essential preference – 
not as part of a project. Hence, 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 button “Reset All” 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 
a file on disk with the windows extension “.xml”.
How to save key commands settings is described in the 
section “About key commands presets” on page 324.
Setting up key commands
The following is a description of how you set up key com-
mands and save them as presets for easy access.
Key commands settings are accessed and edited mainly 
in the Key Commands dialog. You can find some key com-
mand settings in the Preferences dialog as well, also ad-
dressed in this chapter.
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 clicking the 
plus-sign beside it, the items and functions it contains are 
displayed with the currently assigned key commands.
!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 326. 
						

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Key commands
To add a key command, proceed as follows:
1.Pull down the File menu and select “Key Commands…”.
The Key Commands dialog appears.
2.Use the list in the Commands column to navigate to 
the desired category.
3.Click the plus-sign to open the category folder and 
display the items it contains.
Note that you can also click the “global” plus and minus-signs in the top 
left corner to open and close all category folders at once.
4.In the list, select the item to which you wish 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 “Searching for 
key commands” on page 323.
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 between any single key or a combination of one or sev-
eral keys ([Alt]/[Option], [Ctrl]/[Command], [Shift]) plus any key. Just 
press the keys you want to use.
7.If the key command you entered is already assigned to 
another item or function, this is displayed below the “Type 
in Key” field. 
If a key command already is assigned to another function, 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.
ÖNote that you can have several different key com-
mands for the same function. So 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 an assigned key command, 
see “Removing a key command” on page 324.
9.Click OK to exit the dialog.
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; e.g., 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’re done, click OK to close the dialog.
If a selected item or function has a key command 
assigned already, it is displayed here……and here.
!If the key command you enter is already assigned to 
another function, you will get a warning message 
asking if you want to reassign the command to the 
new function instead, or cancel the operation. 
						

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Key commands
Removing a key command
To remove a key command, proceed as follows:
1.If the key commands dialog isn’t already open, pull 
down the File menu and select “Key Commands…”.
2.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 for the item is shown in the Keys list and the Keys 
column.
3.Select the key command in the Keys list and click the 
Delete button (the trash icon).
You will get a prompt asking if you want to remove the key command or 
cancel the operation.
4.Click Remove to remove the selected key command.
5.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 could 
select all events on the selected audio track, remove DC 
offset, normalize the events and duplicate them, all with a 
single command.
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 to 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 the macro is selected, and use the Catego-
ries and Commands in the upper half of the dialog to se-
lect 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
Saving key commands presets
As mentioned above, any changes made to the key com-
mands (and macros) are automatically stored as a Cubase 
Essential preference. However, it is also possible to store 
key commands settings separately. This way, you can 
store any number of different key command settings as 
presets for instant recall.
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. 
						

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Key commands
2.Click the Save button next to the Presets pop-up 
menu.
A dialog appears, allowing you to type in a name for the preset. 
3.Click OK to save the preset.
Your saved key commands settings will now be available in the Preset 
pop-up menu for your future projects.
Loading key command presets
To load a key command preset, simply select it from the 
Presets pop-up menu.
ÖNote that this operation may replace existing key com-
mands!
The 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!
Loading earlier key commands settings 
If you have saved key commands settings with an earlier 
program version, it is possible to use them in Cubase Es-
sential 4, by using the “Import Key Command File” func-
tion, 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 to 
specify if you want to import a key commands file (Win-
dows file extension “.key”) or a macro commands file (ex-
tension “.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 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” restores the default key command setting for 
the function selected in the Commands list.
“Reset All” will restore the default key commands for all 
commands.
!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
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]) will 
copy it instead.
The default assignments for tool modifier keys can be 
found in the Preferences (Editing–Tool Modifiers page). 
Here, you can also edit them:
1.Open the Preferences dialog from the File menu (on 
the Mac, this is located on the Cubase Essential menu) 
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.
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’re 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.
As described in the section “Key command conventions” 
on page 8, modifier keys are written as: 
[Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key].
For example, “[Ctrl]/[Command]+[N]” in the list below means 
“press [Ctrl] under Windows or [Command] under Mac OS X, 
then press [N]”.
Audio category
Automation category
Devices category
Edit category
Option Key command
Adjust Fades to Range [A]
Crossfade [X]
Find Selected in Pool [Ctrl]/[Command]+[F]
Option Key command
Toggle Read Enable All Tracks [Alt]/[Option]+[R]
Toggle Write Enable All Tracks [Alt]/[Option]+[W]
Option Key command
Mixer [F3]
Video [F8]
VST Connections [F4]
VST Instruments [F11]
VST Performance [F12]
Option Key command
Autoscroll [F]
Copy [Ctrl]/[Command]+[C]
Cut [Ctrl]/[Command]+[X]
Cut Time [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[X]
Delete [Del] or [Backspace]
Delete Time [Shift]+[Backspace]
Duplicate [Ctrl]/[Command]+[D]
Group [Ctrl]/[Command]+[G]
Insert Silence [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[E] 
						

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Key commands
Editors category
File categoryMedia category
MIDI category
Navigate category
Left Selection Side to Cursor [E]
Lock [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[L]
Move to Cursor [Ctrl]/[Command]+[L]
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]
Snap On/Off [J]
Solo [S]
Split At Cursor [Alt]/[Option]+[X]
Split Range [Shift]+[X]
Undo [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Z]
Ungroup [Ctrl]/[Command]+[U]
Unlock [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[U]
Unmute Events [Shift]+[U]
Option Key command
Show/Hide Infoview [Ctrl]/[Command]+[I]
Show/Hide Inspector [Alt]/[Option]+[I]
Option Key command
Close [Ctrl]/[Command]+[W]
New [Ctrl]/[Command]+[N]
Open [Ctrl]/[Command]+[O]
Quit [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Q]
Save [Ctrl]/[Command]+[S] Option Key commandSave As [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[S]
Save New Version [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Alt]/[Option]+[S]
Option Key command
Open MediaBay  [F5]
Open Loop Browser [F6]
Open Sound Browser [F7]
Option Key command
Quantize [Q]
Option Key command
Add Down:
Expand/Undo selection in the 
Project window to the bottom/ 
Move selected 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] Option Key command 
						

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Key commands
Nudge category
Project category
Tool categoryTransport category
Bottom
Select bottom track in the track list[End]
Top: 
Select top track in the track list[Home]
Option Key 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]
Option Key command
Open Markers [Ctrl]/[Command]+[M]
Open/Close Pool [Ctrl]/[Command]+[P]
Open Tempo Track [Ctrl]/[Command]+[T]
Setup [Shift]+[S]
Show/Hide Track Colors [Shift]+[C]
Option Key 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] Option Key commandOption Key command
AutoPunch In [I]
AutoPunch Out [O]
Cycle Pad [/]
Exchange time formats [.]
Fast Forward [Shift]+Pad [+]
Fast Rewind [Shift]+Pad [-]
Forward Pad [+]
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 Marker [Shift]+[N]
Locate Previous Event [B]
Locate Previous Marker [Shift]+[B]
Locate Selection [L]
Locators to Selection [P]
Loop Selection [Shift]+[G]
Metronome On [C]
Nudge Down [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [-]
Nudge Up [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [+]
Panel (Transport panel) [F2]
Play Selection Range [Alt]/[Option]+[Space]
Recall Cycle Marker 1 to 9 [Shift]+Pad [1] to Pad [9]
Record Pad [*]
Retrospective Record [Shift]+Pad [*]
Return to Zero Pad [.] or Pad [,]
Rewind Pad [-]
Set Left Locator [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [1]
Set Marker 1 [Ctrl]/[Command]+[1]
Set Marker 2 [Ctrl]/[Command]+[2]
Set Marker 3 to 9 [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [3] to [9] or
[Ctrl]/[Command]+ [3] to [9]
Set Right Locator [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [2]
Start [Enter]
Start/Stop [Space]
Stop Pad [0] 
						

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Key commands
Zoom category
To Left Locator Pad [1]
To Marker 1 [Shift]+[1]
To Marker 2 [Shift]+[2]
To Marker 3 to 9 Pad [3] to [9] or [Shift]+[3] to [9]
To Right Locator Pad [2]
Use External Sync [T]
Option Key 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 
						

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