Reference
Keyboard shortcuts
Current defaults, with the editor context made explicit.
In this guide
Arrangement tools
1 Pointer · 2 Range · 3 Scissors · 4 Pencil · 5 Eraser · 6 Fade · 7 Audition · 8 Slip · 9 Mute tool. Gain, Solo, Flex, Rotate and the automation tools are selected from the menu without a default number. 0 toggles the selected arrangement track's mute state.
Transport and views
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Space | Start or pause playback |
| . | Stop playback |
| R | Start recording |
| M | Toggle Mixer and arrangement |
| L | Show or hide Library |
| Tab | Show or hide the bottom detail panel |
| Command+K | Show or hide MIDI Keyboard |
| Command+, | Settings |
Project and region editing
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Command+S | Save project |
| Command+O | Open project |
| Command+Z | Undo |
| Shift+Command+Z | Redo |
| Command+D | Duplicate selected regions |
| Command+L | Loop selected regions |
| Command+E | Split selected range, or regions at cursor |
| Escape | Cancel the active gesture or dialog |
MIDI clip editing
| Key or gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Click empty Notes space | Add a note; drag before release to set length |
| Shift-drag empty space | Select several notes |
| 0 in Notes | Mute or activate selected notes |
| 0 in Steps | Mute or activate the selected pitch row |
| Escape | Cancel drawing, or close Piano settings |
Piano opens from the bottom bar beside Analysis. The Piano view has no Shift-number shortcut.
Context comes first
These are the current default assignments. A text field, a dialog, a plug-in editor or MIDI Keyboard can own keyboard input. Settings → Shortcuts shows custom assignments. Info presents only a small relevant selection for the hovered area; it is not the full command list.
There is no Command-held secondary tool and no Shift-number workspace navigation. Use the header and bottom-panel tabs for those views.
MIDI Keyboard focus
While MIDI Keyboard owns note entry, its displayed letter and number keys play the selected layout. The resize grip takes the arrow keys for 5% size changes; Home resets it to 100%. Musical letter keys play again as soon as a resize gesture ends. Text fields keep their typing context. Escape cancels an active resize and releases held software notes.
Current workspace controls
C opens Clip, P opens Plugins, N opens project Notes, A toggles arrangement automation, and I toggles Info. T taps tempo. These letter shortcuts apply in the studio context; MIDI Keyboard and text fields can own them. Stop twice within 0.4 seconds sends All notes off and returns the song to its start.
Change, import or restore shortcuts
Open Settings → Shortcuts and click an action to assign keys. Apply checks the pending assignments and saves them before changing the active shortcuts. Reserved macOS commands and conflicting assignments are explained. Physical-position assignments are limited to the software MIDI keyboard; other commands follow the keyboard layout.
Import… reads a shortcut JSON file into the pending assignments. Unsupported keys or conflicts produce a Shortcuts not imported message and leave those assignments unchanged. Use Apply after reviewing a valid import. Export… saves the displayed assignments to a JSON file.
Factory Defaults prepares the defaults; Apply activates them. Revert discards pending changes and reloads the active assignments. If Apply shows Shortcuts not applied because storage is unavailable or full, the active shortcuts remain unchanged. Resolve the reported problem before trying Apply again.
Dawnamite user guide for macOS. For changes between versions, see update history.