Last Updated: November 21, 2025
Essential Shortcuts
Spacebar
Play/Stop
Tab
Toggle Session/Arrangement View
Shift + Tab
Toggle Detail View
Cmd/Ctrl + T
Insert MIDI track
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + T
Insert Audio track
Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + T
Insert Return track
Cmd/Ctrl + D
Duplicate selection
Cmd/Ctrl + E
Split clip at playhead
Cmd/Ctrl + J
Consolidate clips
Cmd/Ctrl + M
Insert MIDI clip
Cmd/Ctrl + L
Toggle Loop
0 (zero)
Stop all clips
Workflow Shortcuts
Cmd/Ctrl + S
Save project
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + S
Save As (new version)
Cmd/Ctrl + R
Show/hide Groove Pool
Cmd/Ctrl + B
Show/hide Browser
Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + B
Show/hide Detail View
Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + L
Show/hide Overview
Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + M
Show/hide Mixer
F11
Toggle fullscreen
Recording & Automation
F9
Record (Session)
F10
Record (Arrangement)
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + R
Re-enable automation
A
Toggle Automation mode
Cmd/Ctrl + U
Delete automation
MIDI Editing
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + M
Add locator
Cmd/Ctrl + 1-9
Quantize to grid
Cmd/Ctrl + 0
Quantize to selected grid
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + U
Quantize settings
Alt + Drag
Fine pitch adjustment (MIDI)
Cmd/Ctrl + F
Fold/unfold tracks
Audio Effects
EQ Eight
8-band parametric equalizer
Compressor
Dynamic range compression
Glue Compressor
Mix bus compression (analog-style)
Reverb
Convolution and algorithmic reverb
Echo
Advanced delay with filters
Saturator
Waveshaping distortion
Erosion
Digital degradation/lo-fi
Redux
Bit reduction and downsampling
Limiter
Brick-wall limiting
Auto Filter
Filter with LFO modulation
Instruments
Wavetable
Wavetable synthesizer
Operator
FM synthesizer (4 operators)
Analog
Virtual analog synthesizer
Sampler
Multi-sample instrument
Simpler
Quick sampler (slice/warp)
Drum Rack
Multi-pad drum sampler
Impulse
Simple drum sampler
Electric
Electric piano emulation
Collision
Physical modeling synth
Tension
String physical modeling
Warping Modes
Beats
For drums, loops with transients
Tones
For monophonic material
Texture
For pads, atmospheres
Re-Pitch
No time-stretching (vinyl/tape style)
Complex
High-quality for full mixes
Complex Pro
Best quality, CPU intensive
Session View
Click clip to launch
Trigger clip playback
Click again to stop
Stop clip (or use stop button)
Scenes (horizontal rows)
Launch multiple clips at once
Follow Actions
Auto-trigger next clip/scene
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + E
Capture and insert scene
Max for Live
LFO
Low-frequency oscillator for modulation
Envelope Follower
Extract amplitude envelope
Shaper
Custom curve modulation
Expression Control
Map complex parameter changes
MIDI devices
Custom MIDI effects and utilities
Clip Editing
Double-click clip
Open clip view
Clip gain
Adjust individual clip volume
Transpose
Pitch shift in semitones
Detune
Fine pitch adjustment in cents
Fade in/out
Adjust clip fades
Reverse
Play clip backwards
Sample offset
Shift clip start point
Tempo & Time
Tap Tempo
Tap key to set tempo
Set warp marker
Lock audio to grid
Time signature
Change meter (4/4, 3/4, etc)
Tempo automation
Automate tempo changes
Groove Pool
Drag groove to clip
Apply groove timing
Timing control
Amount of groove swing
Random control
Add timing variation
Velocity control
Apply groove velocity
Commit groove
Bake groove into MIDI
Mixing & Routing
Return tracks
Send effects (reverb, delay)
Send amount
Control effect level per track
Group tracks
Cmd/Ctrl + G to group
Sidechain routing
Route for ducking/pumping
External Audio
Route from hardware
Best Practices
Save versions often
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + S
Color-code tracks
Organize by type
Use groups
Bus similar instruments
Freeze tracks
Save CPU with complex processing
Reference tracks
Drop in pro tracks for comparison
💡 Pro Tip:
Learn Session View for live performance and jamming. Use groups and return tracks for organized mixing. Freeze CPU-heavy tracks to save resources!