Cubase shortcuts, macros and tips (with gif examples)
Last update: Mar '24 on Cubase 12We might take for granted the ability to customize shortcuts, but not every DAW offers this feature. In Ableton, Bitwig, Reason, and FL Studio (as far as I know), modifying shortcuts is not possible. Luckily, Cubase is the exception. You can set a hotkey for virtually anything. If there's a function you want but it doesn't have a default shortcut, you can create a macro, which combines smaller steps to achieve your desired outcome.
It's true that overcoming initial resistance to learning shortcuts might feel like an effort. However, Cubase prioritizes efficiency with its keyboard-focused interface, which some point-and-click enthusiasts might find less intuitive. I believe that mastering shortcuts not only pays off quickly in terms of workflow, but also fosters a sense of control, akin to piloting a spaceship towards your perfect song rather than getting lost in the maze of on-screen buttons.
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Contents
- Default shortcuts
- Less useful default shortcuts
- Custom made shortcuts
- Doesn't have a shortcut
- Macros
- Other
Default shortcuts
s = solo selected track | ![]() |
m = mute selected track | ![]() |
r = rec enabled on selected track | ![]() |
c = metronome | ![]() |
num * = record more info | ![]() |
j = snap to grid (I also recommend `) | ![]() |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 = switch tools | ![]() |
i, o = punch in / punch out
(starts and stops recording at locators position) |
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u = bring to front I suggest reassigning u to 'Bring Events to Back' though, it just makes more sense, how do you move something to front if you can not click on it? |
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alt + z = mixer / VST undo alt + shift + z = mixer / VST redo ⚠️ it will undo/redo changes in a VST plugin too! |
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ctrl + left / right = move clip, step is quantize grid |
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alt (+ shift) + left / right = nudge clip |
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. = toggle ruler between time and beats (change time format) | ![]() |
, = return to start | ![]() |
shift + t = input tempo | ![]() |
shift + c = tempo window | ![]() |
shift + n / b = jump to next / previous marker | ![]() |
shift + num/ = preview cycle on / off | ![]() |
k = toggle group editing | ![]() |
ctrl + a = select all
ctrl + shift + a = deselect all
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ctrl + shift + v = paste time (region) ctrl + g, ctrl + u = group / un-group
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alt + F3 = mixer in the lower zone
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insert = insert marker
shift + 1-9 = go to marker
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ctrl + t = add audio track
alt + shift + t = add instrument track
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Secondary
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alt + v = paste at origin
shift + v = paste relative to cursor
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ctrl + x = cut
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ctrl + num+ / ctrl + num- = snap to grid
shift + num+ / shift + num- = fast
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don't understand how this is quicker than mouse click, it must be for MIDI controllers
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ctrl + w = close project, current window, plugin
ctrl + z = undo
ctrl + shift + z = redo
ctrl + a, ctrl + shift + a = select all / unselect
ctrl + e = open (same as double click, use to open multiple midi or audio clips)
ctrl + alt + s = save new version
shift + F5 = search mediabay
ctrl + shift + n = new track version
ctrl + shift + h = next track version
ctrl + shift + g = previous track version
ctrl + shift + d = duplicate track version
My custom shortcuts
d = Edit > Delete⭐ Very convenient, deleting is very common and to move hand to the right side of the keyboard is tedious.
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By default it's "Invert" however does nothing. So I reassigned it.
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shift + f = zoom to project, horizontal (default) alt + shift + e = export mixdown
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By default there is shift + m button but it seems not working. Mute/unmute object will work like a toggle. alt + m is possible shortcut, but recently I use just X
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shift + a = hide automation of the selected track
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shift + space = toggle return to start position ctrl + shift + c = global copy (overwrites Show Chord Pads) / = preferences: automation follows events
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alt + shift + n = normalize
alt + shift + g = gain
alt + shift + s = silence
alt + ctrl + p = preferences
shift + F12 = key commands
Doesn't have a shortcut by default
in brackets my variant
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show key commands window, shift + F12
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Macros
Remove all arms for record PLE
Media Type Is - All TypesTrack Operation - Record - Disable
(I don't use "Enable Record on Selected Track" so I need a quick way to disable previously armed instruments)
shift + r
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Duplicate time (region)
Ableton inspired
Edit - Global CopyTransport - Go to Right Locator
Edit - Paste Time
Transport - Locators To Selection
Transport - Go to Right Locator
ctrl + shift + d (reassigned from Duplicate Track Version)
💡 So to sum-up working with time in Cubase (the space between left and right locators):
Insert Empty Time - ctrl + shift + e
Delete Time - shift + backspace
Copy Time (i.e. global copy) - ctrl + shift + c (by default there is such command, but no shortcut)
Cut Time - ctrl + shift + x
Paste Time - ctrl + shift + v
Duplicate Time - ctrl + shift + d (for consistency I replaced 'duplicate track version')
Play file in Media Bay with a shortcut
To test an audio sample in a mix.
- Media - Preview Stop
- Media - Preview Start
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Play from selection start
- Transport - Locate selection start
- Transport - Start
Quantized Nudge
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Base
File that stores shortcuts is Key Commands.xml
User presets are stored in
c:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\Cubase 10_64\Presets\KeyCommands\
You'd better save your configuration as preset from time to time
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My shortcuts preset: download. Just in case. It is better to make your own personal shortcuts preset.
Tools
Key Commands Overview as HTML Page
Original post at steinberg.net/forumsThis is a really cool, well made thing to display your hotkeys as printable table that looks like image below. First you open raw file from github, then press ctrl + s to save it as web-page (plain HTML tool). Then you open that web page in a browser (Firefox, Opera, Chrome), there will be a form to pick a file. You select your key-commands.xml file from path mentioned above and it will display this table.
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KeyCommand Utility
Original post at steinberg.net/forumsVB Script that creates two HTML files which show Cubase shortcut keys.
1. List of the commands which have keys and their associated key
2. Matrix of all the Keys vs Modifiers, and the commands for each combination
The HTML files will be opened in your default browser and are stored in the installation folder (see below). Place this script in the Cubase 'User Settings Data Folder', where the 'Key Commands.xml' file is stored. Run the script (double click) and it will create two HTML files (in the same folder as the script) and display them in your default browser. Original scripts written by JMCecil and someone else, adapted by MJV.
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Here is an example of its output for defult Cubase 9.5
Key Commands.xml
. Different colors mean different key mapping groups. Editors - mistyrose, Transport - yellow, etc.Also I've modified it a little bit so there are free keystrokes that you can use as your own hotkeys. For example Y is totally free.
Resources
- Cubase Manual: Key Commands
- shortcutworld.com: Cubase 10
- Great work by ggmanestraki, hotkeys text documentation, a must read article, literally this is a list of all possible functions in Cubase: viewtopic.php?f=283&t=190409&p=1015003. And also it helped me to understand some hotkeys.
- This article wouldn't happen without this amazin app and ffmpeg.