Speedy Key Tips

There are many areas of Cubase where speed improvements can be made, and perhaps none more so than in the DAW’s comprehensive coverage of all things related to Key Commands.

While it doesn’t extend to every function or menu item, Cubase has one of the most detailed key command lists out there. To view, add, delete or change any keyboard shortcut, you’ll need to got to Key Commands in the main File menu. Don’t forget the golden rule of saving the current set as Preset before you tweak.

Remember that there are functions and windows (such as the two additional MixConsole windows, for instance) that, in Cubase’s factory state, do not come assigned to a key. There are also many settings within the Cubase Preferences that can be switched on and off with a key press.

The only issue with any of this, of course, is that you’ll need the ability to remember all your newly assigned keys. If however they are menu functions you will find them listed next to the relevant menu item, and all commands and key presses can be searched on in the Key Commands window. Default settings are also listed in the Cubase Operations manual.

Key Command customisation can also be a boon for those who are using multiple DAWs, by allowing similar shortcuts across a number of platforms.

More elaborate control can be achieved by using Macros, which string multiple commands together. These in turn can then be assigned a Key Command of their own.

This ability to create new functions can also be found in the Logical Editor (for MIDI events) and Project Logical Editor for all event types (which is found in the Project Window).