Pro Tools 12 Keyboard Shortcuts. Commands Keyboard Focus. Play Edit Selection. Play Timeline Selection. / Nudge Play Later By Next Bigger Grid. Nudge Play Earlier By Grid. Transport Mode (Numeric Keypad). 30 keyboard shortcuts Mac users need to know This collection of keyboard shortcuts for macOS can help users get the most from their iMacs, MacBook Pro and MacBook laptops. Music software for Mac or Windows to create audio with up to 128 audio tracks. Pro Tools includes 60 virtual instruments (thousands of sounds), effects, sound processing, utility plugins, 1 GB of cloud storage and 75 individual plugins. Create, Collaborate. Pro Tools Keyboard Shortcuts for Creating, Playing, and Recording a New Track. Recording audio is what Pro Tools does best (well, that and editing it). This article guides you through the keyboard shortcuts for creating and recording a new track, as well as playing it back. To create a new track: Press Apple Command+N (Mac) or Ctrl+N (PC). Launching Pro Tools and scanning in plug-ins. Create a new session. Pro Tools works in sessions. That means when you’re recording a song or working on a project, you’ll open its.ptx Pro Tools session file. When creating a new session, you’ll need to consider a few settings (e.g., sample rate, bit depth, file type).
- Pro Tools Shortcut To Move Tracks
- Pro Tools 11 Shortcuts
- Pro Tools Quick Keys
- Pro Tools Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
00:00:07
Good morning children!Today we're going to talk aboutcreating your ownPro Tools shortcuts.
Good morning children!Today we're going to talk aboutcreating your ownPro Tools shortcuts.
00:00:12
Pro Tools has a lot ofbuilt-in shortcuts,an enormous amount actually.
Pro Tools has a lot ofbuilt-in shortcuts,an enormous amount actually.
00:00:15
And we have a video about that.
And we have a video about that.
00:00:17
But there are thingsthat the good people at Avidthought you would not need.
But there are thingsthat the good people at Avidthought you would not need.
00:00:20
But you still do.So here's a way around that.
But you still do.So here's a way around that.
00:00:24
The first thing youneed to do is go toyour little apple on theupper left corner here..
The first thing youneed to do is go toyour little apple on theupper left corner here..
00:00:28
System Preferences.
System Preferences.
00:00:30
You have now theSystem Preferences Dashboard.
You have now theSystem Preferences Dashboard.
00:00:33
Hit Keyboard.
Hit Keyboard.
00:00:35
Hit Keyboard Shortcuts.Here you go.
Hit Keyboard Shortcuts.Here you go.
00:00:38
Before we create our own shortcut,why don't we go to Spotlightand remove'Show Spotlight search field'being Cmd+Spacebecause that's alsoRecord in Pro Toolsand it's a conflictand it sucks.
Before we create our own shortcut,why don't we go to Spotlightand remove'Show Spotlight search field'being Cmd+Spacebecause that's alsoRecord in Pro Toolsand it's a conflictand it sucks.
00:00:49
Now we can go toApplication Shortcuts.
Now we can go toApplication Shortcuts.
00:00:52
While you're here, disablethe 'Show Help menu'because that conflicts withthe 'Update Automation' shortcutin Pro Tools.And it's very handy.
While you're here, disablethe 'Show Help menu'because that conflicts withthe 'Update Automation' shortcutin Pro Tools.And it's very handy.
Pro Tools Shortcut To Move Tracks
00:00:59
And I'd rather be able to updatemy automation than show my help menu.
And I'd rather be able to updatemy automation than show my help menu.
00:01:03
The next step is togo back to Pro Toolsand pick something thatyou wanna automate.
The next step is togo back to Pro Toolsand pick something thatyou wanna automate.
00:01:09
I use the Color Palette a lotin Pro Tools.
I use the Color Palette a lotin Pro Tools.
00:01:11
But there's no shortcut forit so I'm gonna make one.
But there's no shortcut forit so I'm gonna make one.
00:01:13
I have to go into themenu and find it.
I have to go into themenu and find it.
00:01:15
It's in 'Window'..
It's in 'Window'..
00:01:17
Color Palette.
Color Palette.
00:01:18
You have to memorize exactlyhow it's written.
You have to memorize exactlyhow it's written.
00:01:21
It's exactly how it's written.
It's exactly how it's written.
00:01:23
I see Color..
I see Color..
00:01:25
Palette, takes to Ts.
Palette, takes to Ts.
00:01:27
I go back to mySystem Preferences.
I go back to mySystem Preferences.
00:01:32
Click the little + here.
Click the little + here.
00:01:35
And then you have toselect your application.
And then you have toselect your application.
00:01:38
Oddly enough,because Pro Tools is containedwithin a folder,it's not in the list.So you have to click 'Other'.
Oddly enough,because Pro Tools is containedwithin a folder,it's not in the list.So you have to click 'Other'.
00:01:45
And then go into the folder,and then..
And then go into the folder,and then..
00:01:50
Select it. Yes, I havea lot of applications.
Select it. Yes, I havea lot of applications.
00:01:53
Pro Tools, 'Add'.
Pro Tools, 'Add'.
00:01:54
So now I'm telling the system,for the application Pro Tools,and the menu called'Color Palette', with two Ts,I would like my keyboardshortcut to be,I don't know, something thatis not used anywhere else,for exampleCtrl+Opt+Cmd+C.
So now I'm telling the system,for the application Pro Tools,and the menu called'Color Palette', with two Ts,I would like my keyboardshortcut to be,I don't know, something thatis not used anywhere else,for exampleCtrl+Opt+Cmd+C.
00:02:11
Add.
Add.
00:02:13
So now, every timePro Tools is forwardand you hitCtrl+Opt+Cmd+C,your Palette comes up.
So now, every timePro Tools is forwardand you hitCtrl+Opt+Cmd+C,your Palette comes up.
00:02:20
Isn't that wonderful?Another function in the same menuthat I use all the time is 'System Usage'.
Isn't that wonderful?Another function in the same menuthat I use all the time is 'System Usage'.
00:02:27
I use Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+U for usage.
I use Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+U for usage.
00:02:31
I'm in and out that window 20 timesa session, it's worth a shortcut.
I'm in and out that window 20 timesa session, it's worth a shortcut.
00:02:36
In the 'Setup' menu I use'Hardware' and 'Playback Engine' a lot.
In the 'Setup' menu I use'Hardware' and 'Playback Engine' a lot.
![Pro Tools Shortcuts For Mac Pro Tools Shortcuts For Mac](/uploads/1/1/3/6/113629965/985727431.jpg)
00:02:41
The Playback Engine because of thedelay compensation, short or long,and the number of voicesand stuff like that.
The Playback Engine because of thedelay compensation, short or long,and the number of voicesand stuff like that.
00:02:47
You have to be careful when youset up the Playback Engine one,it does wanna see the three little dotsafter, they're not just for decoration.
You have to be careful when youset up the Playback Engine one,it does wanna see the three little dotsafter, they're not just for decoration.
00:02:53
The system wants tosee the exact name.
The system wants tosee the exact name.
00:02:56
If you don't enter the three littledots in the Playback Engine namePro Tools will notrecognize the shortcut.
If you don't enter the three littledots in the Playback Engine namePro Tools will notrecognize the shortcut.
00:03:02
My shortcut for Playback Engineis Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+P.
My shortcut for Playback Engineis Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+P.
00:03:06
I actually use Ctrl+Opt+Cmdfor all my personal shortcuts.
I actually use Ctrl+Opt+Cmdfor all my personal shortcuts.
00:03:09
That way I know it's alwaysthe start of my shortcut,I don't have to think too muchbecause I don't like to think.
That way I know it's alwaysthe start of my shortcut,I don't have to think too muchbecause I don't like to think.
00:03:15
In the 'Setup' menu, I alwayscreate a shortcut for the I/O setup.
In the 'Setup' menu, I alwayscreate a shortcut for the I/O setup.
00:03:19
Here.
Here.
00:03:20
I'm in and out of that windowabout 700 million times per sessionso it's worth a shortcut.
I'm in and out of that windowabout 700 million times per sessionso it's worth a shortcut.
00:03:24
My shortcut is Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+I.
My shortcut is Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+I.
00:03:29
Another shortcut I alwayssetup is 'Save as'.
Another shortcut I alwayssetup is 'Save as'.
00:03:31
It's in 'File' menu..
It's in 'File' menu..
00:03:33
And it's 'Save As..'With the capital A.
And it's 'Save As..'With the capital A.
00:03:37
I chose the shortcutShift+Opt+S.
I chose the shortcutShift+Opt+S.
00:03:40
Because that's what it isin most pieces of softwareand I don't wanna memorizea different one for Pro Tools.
Because that's what it isin most pieces of softwareand I don't wanna memorizea different one for Pro Tools.
00:03:46
The good thing isthat, in case you get confusedand you forgetwhat you just setup,Pro Tools has the good tasteof reminding you your choices.
The good thing isthat, in case you get confusedand you forgetwhat you just setup,Pro Tools has the good tasteof reminding you your choices.
00:03:53
For example, here inthe Window setup,my Color Palette isCtrl+Opt+Cmd+C.
For example, here inthe Window setup,my Color Palette isCtrl+Opt+Cmd+C.
00:03:59
My 'System Usage'Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+S.
My 'System Usage'Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+S.
00:04:02
In my 'Setup', my I/Ois Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+I.
In my 'Setup', my I/Ois Ctrl+Opt+Cmd+I.
00:04:06
And my 'Save as' isOpt+Shift+S.
And my 'Save as' isOpt+Shift+S.
00:04:10
That's it.
That's it.
00:04:12
So there you have it.
So there you have it.
00:04:14
You know how to playGod and create your ownshortcuts in Pro Tools on a Mac.
You know how to playGod and create your ownshortcuts in Pro Tools on a Mac.
00:04:17
It's time for you togo cut something short.
It's time for you togo cut something short.
00:04:19
Et Voilà!
Et Voilà!
In this Pro Tools Expert Team article, we share some of our most used Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts that we incorporate into our individual workflows. Some may seem simple and obvious and others not so but the underlying reason we're sharing these tips is that as a team we believe that developing a strong Pro Tools keyboard shortcut workflow can be key to getting a quicker and more efficient overall Pro Tools experience. See how many you already use or if there are any quick wins you're missing out on..
X11 for mac. To Paste between an X11 app and a Mac OS X app, in the X11 file menu, select Edit Copy and then select Edit Paste in the Mac OS X app menu. X11 Customization and PATH export: To have the scrollbar automatically appear when a new xterm window is created from the X11 menu (and to perhaps source the shell files so that PATH's are kept, etc).
For convenience we've presented all these shortcuts in Mac format but for windows users please use the following modifier key substitutions:
Mac | Windows |
---|---|
Cmd (Command) | Ctrl (Control) |
Option (Alt) | Alt |
Ctrl (Control) | Start (Windows) |
Mike Thornton
I have the Keyboard Focus turned on and so my most regularly used shortcuts are R and T for zooming out and in on the timeline.
Next comes Cmd + E to create an edit. Strangely enough, I have not been able to wire B into my muscle memory to achieve the same thing.
Then comes Cmd + S to save the session.(!)
Others I use regularly are ones based around the Tab and Return keys.
- Tab moves the cursor onto the next edit or sync point.
- Option + Tab moves the cursor to the previous edit or sync point.
- Return takes you to the beginning of the session.
- Option + Return takes you to the end of the session.
The last ones in my selection are when I need to select everything from a certain point to the end of the session, either to close up a gap or to create a gap to insert some content. To select everything to the end, hold down Option + Shift and click on the earliest clip you want to move, this will extend the selection vertically across all tracks. Then, whilst still holding down Option + Shift, hit the Return key and this will extend that all-track selection to the end of the session. Then using Slip mode you can move the session or for smaller moves use the plus and minus keys on the num. pad to move the mega-selection backwards or forwards according to your preset nudge values.
Alan Sallabank
My first one may seem a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it's Space - Play / Pause. This very much counts as a shortcut and its status is boosted by the fact that it's the most ubiquitous shortcut across most DAWs, NLE's and playback software.
My second is Cmd + B, but mostly to create an edit from a highlighted section. I sometimes replace it with Cmd + T, to trim a clip to the highlighted section. This is a more dangerous shortcut though, which is why I prefer to use the former.
And my last is Cmd + Shift + C followed by Cmd + Shift + V, to copy and paste plug-in parameters. Really handy in all manner of applications.
Dan Cooper
Control surfaces have been at the heart of my Pro Tools workflow for many years. For the last six years I've only used an Avid C|24 control surface - in this time I've made great use of the C|24 control sets:
- Transport - Rewind, fast forward, stop, play, record
- Tools & Functions and Windows - Switch between mix/edit windows, memory locations etc
- File/Utility - Save , undo, redo and enter)
Pro Tools 11 Shortcuts
I have become very reliant on the C|24 functions as I've only control surfaces with Pro Tools. As a result, I know very few Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts. This is very frustrating when I use Pro Tools without a C|24 - I know more keyboard shortcuts for Final Cut than I do Pro Tools.
Option + Shift in the Mix Window is a speedy way to insert the same plug-in across multiple tracks. Select all the tracks that you want the same plug-in on (shift and mouse click selection), hold Option + Shift and insert a plug-in as normal on an insert and multiple instances of the same plug-in will load. This keyboard shortcut also works for loading multiple instances of the same bus and for setting the same I/O across multiple tracks - which is a fast way to output multiple tracks to an Aux track (mix bus)
Cmd + E is one of my most-used audio editing keyboard shortcuts. When used in conjunction with a mouse Cmd + E is by far the quickest way to separate (split) a clip at a selection.
Under MIDI Control you will find a Tempo section. In this section, I like to use the keyboard shortcut T to tap for tempo. Use the mouse to click on the tempo information (120bpm as default) and use T to tap the tempo. This feature helps me determine the tempo of a song at the first stage of production.
Pro Tools Quick Keys
James Ivey
Anything that makes the tracking process easier is a must for me so most of the shortcuts that I can actually remember and use on a track by track basis and are all aimed at this side of the application.
- Cmd + Shift + Right Arrow - This one I use when I'm building a session. Double click on the track name in either the Mix or Edit windows, type in your instrument or track name then use this shortcut to move on to the next track's naming window rather than hitting Next or Previous.
- Cmd + This one gets most use when I'm tracking a solo vocalist or instrument. I will keep creating playlists then just edit from the ones I like.
- - (Minus key) This one is so simple it's mad but when I'm creating so basic automation the - key toggles between the Volume lane of a track or selected tracks and the Waveform.
Julian Rodgers
Pro Tools Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
These aren't my 'most used' - Alan has already taken Space Bar! These are however some very heavily used shortcuts of mine which are worth mentioning:
Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow - I edit as much dialogue as I do music these days and the whole family of Ctrl+Shift Clip Gain shortcuts are essential. Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow reduces clip gain in 0.5dB increments. This default value can be changed in prefs. I find I use this more than the equivalent Ctrl + Shift + mouse wheel as I find I tend to slip sideways when using this and create extra breakpoints inadvertently.
Option + F / Option + A - This pair of shortcuts are indispensable to me. Option + A zooms out horizontally to show the whole timeline and Option + F zooms in horizontally to fill the screen with the current edit selection. I use these in combination to quickly navigate sessions.
Cmd + Option + V - Paste to fill selection - This is another shortcut I've only started using a lot since I've been editing tons of dialogue. I find this incredibly useful when pasting some room tone over 'umms' and 'errs'.
Ctrl + Option + Cmd + down arrow - Changes track height to fill screen. I use this all the time, usually in combination with Option + A to quickly see my entire session horizontally and vertically. Obviously, if your track count is too high it can't fit everything on the screen but for my typical sessions, it's perfect.
Num. - (number) - Num. - Okay, I have no idea how to write this one down but if I can explain. I use Memory Locations a lot. I use them as markers, to recall track show/hides and I link them with window configurations. To recall a Memory Location from the keyboard you hit the decimal point on the number pad, followed by the Memory Location number, followed by the decimal point on the number pad again. Much easier to do than to explain in writing!
Peter Barter
Apart from the more obvious choices like R & T for zooming in and out of the timeline and Cmd + E for making an edit which gets constant use throughout a session some of my most used shortcuts could be described as a ‘family’ or subset due to the specific timing of when they are used:
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Shift + Cmd + N– Create a new track - This task will happen at least once in every new session and sometimes upwards of 100 times. This shortcut opens the ‘create new track dialogue box’ where you are presented with options but the shortcut fun doesn’t stop there…
Once open you have a few great time-saving options to create a full range of different types of tracks without ever touching the mouse.
Within the create new track dialogue box:
- Up & Down Arrows – This enables you to adjust the number of tracks you create per row.
- Cmd + Left Arrow (or) Right Arrow – This cycles through channel routing options including mono, stereo or the different multichannel surround options available if you’re running HD.
- Cmd + Up Arrow (or) Down Arrow – This then cycles through the different types of track you can create e.g. audio, instrument, midi etc.
- Option + Cmd + Up Arrow (or) Down Arrow – Lets you cycle between sample based tracks and tick-based tracks.
- Shift + Cmd + Down Arrow (or) Up Arrow - Once you have created a row of appropriate tracks you can add another row and start the procedure again – or delete rows if you’ve made too many.
Once you start incorporating these shortcuts into your workflow you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them! Let us know in the comments below what your favourite shortcut workflows are?
Extra Useful Links About Pro Tools Keyboard Shortcuts