Studio One Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete List for Windows & Mac
Studio One is fast out of the box, but learning its keyboard shortcuts is what separates a smooth workflow from constant menu-hunting. This guide lists every essential Studio One keyboard shortcut, organized by task, with both Windows and Mac keys. You’ll also learn how to customize shortcuts and create your own, and you can download the full list as a free PDF cheat sheet.
Key Takeaways
- Studio One shortcuts (also called key commands or hotkeys) trigger actions without the mouse.
- On Mac, Ctrl → Cmd and Alt → Opt; Shift is the same on both platforms.
- The most-used shortcuts are Spacebar (play/stop), D (duplicate), Q (quantize), and Ctrl/Cmd + N (new song).
- Every command in Studio One can be remapped to a shortcut of your choice.
What Are Studio One Keyboard Shortcuts?
Studio One keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that trigger actions like splitting a clip, quantizing, or starting playback without clicking through menus. PreSonus calls them key commands; they’re also known as hotkeys. Studio One ships with a full set of default shortcuts, and you can reassign any of them or add new ones in the Keyboard Shortcuts settings.
File & Song Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| New Song | Ctrl + N | Cmd + N |
| New Project | Ctrl + Shift + N | Cmd + Shift + N |
| Save | Ctrl + S | Cmd + S |
| Save As | Ctrl + Alt + S | Cmd + Opt + S |
| Save New Version | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S | Cmd + Opt + Shift + S |
| Close | Ctrl + F4 | Cmd + F4 |
| Quit | Ctrl + Q | Cmd + Q |
| Import File | Ctrl + Shift + O | Cmd + Shift + O |
| Mixdown to Audio File | Ctrl + E | Cmd + E |
| Export File | Ctrl + Shift + E | Cmd + Shift + E |
Edit Menu Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate | D | D |
| Select All | Ctrl + A | Cmd + A |
| Select All in the Loop | Alt + L | Opt + L |
| Select All on Tracks | Ctrl + Shift + A | Cmd + Shift + A |
| Invert Selection | Ctrl + I | Cmd + I |
| Deselect All | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D |
| Deselect All on Tracks | Ctrl + Shift + D | Cmd + Shift + D |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Shift + Z | Cmd + Shift + Z |
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Cmd + C |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | Cmd + V |
| Paste at Original Position | Ctrl + Shift + V | Cmd + Shift + V |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | Cmd + X |
| Delete Time | Ctrl + Alt + D | Cmd + Opt + D |
| Nudge Back | Alt + Left Arrow | Opt + Left Arrow |
| Nudge Forward | Alt + Right Arrow | Opt + Right Arrow |
| Nudge Bar Forward | Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow | Cmd + Opt + Right Arrow |
| Nudge Bar Back | Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow | Cmd + Opt + Left Arrow |
| Insert Silence | Ctrl + Alt + I | Cmd + Opt + I |
| Create Ranges | Alt + R | Opt + R |
| Create Ranges on Tracks | Shift + R | Shift + R |
| Split at Cursor | Alt + X | Opt + X |
| Split Loop | Ctrl + Shift + X | Cmd + Shift + X |
| Split Range | Ctrl + Alt + X | Cmd + Opt + X |
| Move to Cursor | Ctrl + L | Cmd + L |
Track Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Add Track | T | T |
| Remove Track | Shift + T | Shift + T |
| Group Selected Tracks | Ctrl + G | Cmd + G |
| Dissolve Group | Ctrl + Shift + G | Cmd + Shift + G |
| Mute | M | M |
| Solo | S | S |
| Arm for Recording | R | R |
| Monitor | U | U |
| Show FX / Instrument Editor | F11 | F11 |
Event & MIDI Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Increase Volume | Alt + + | Opt + + |
| Increase Volume (Fine) | Alt + Shift + + | Opt + Shift + + |
| Decrease Volume | Alt + – | Opt + – |
| Decrease Volume (Fine) | Alt + Shift + – | Opt + Shift + – |
| Insert Part | Ctrl + P | Cmd + P |
| Consolidate Selection | B | B |
| Merge Instrument Parts | G | G |
| Bounce Instrument Parts | Ctrl + B | Cmd + B |
| Toggle Mute | Shift + M | Shift + M |
| Quantize | Q | Q |
| Quantize 50% | Alt + Q | Opt + Q |
| Restore Timing | Shift + Q | Shift + Q |
View Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Show Instruments | F6 | F6 |
| Show Effects | F7 | F7 |
| Show Sounds | F8 | F8 |
| Show Files | F9 | F9 |
| Show Pool | F10 | F10 |
Transport & Playback Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Play / Stop | Spacebar | Spacebar |
| Start (from beginning) | Enter | Return |
| Record | * (numpad) | * (numpad) |
| Return to Zero | , (comma) | , (comma) |
| Go to Loop Start | 1 | 1 |
| Go to Loop End | 2 | 2 |
| Go to Previous Marker | Shift + B | Shift + B |
| Go to Next Marker | Shift + N | Shift + N |
| Locate Mouse Cursor | Ctrl + Space | Cmd + Space |
| Locate Selection | L | L |
| Loop Active | / | / |
| Loop Selection | Shift + P | Shift + P |
| Loop Selection (Snapped) | P | P |
| Preroll | O | O |
| Autopunch | I | I |
How to Customize Keyboard Shortcuts in Studio One
You’re not stuck with the defaults every command in Studio One can be reassigned to a key of your choice.
- Open Studio One and go to the preferences/options menu (on Windows: Studio One → Options; on Mac: Studio One → Preferences).
- Select the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.
- Use the Search field to find a command by name (for example, “Duplicate” or “Quantize”).
- Select the command, then click into the shortcut field and press the key combination you want to assign.
- If the combination is already in use, Studio One warns you so you can pick a different one or reassign it.
- Click OK / Apply to save. Your custom shortcut is active immediately.
How to Export Your Studio One Shortcut List
Studio One can generate a complete, readable list of every command and its assigned key useful for auditing your custom setup or finding a free key.
- Open the Help menu.
- Select Keyboard Shortcuts (this generates an HTML file listing every command and its current assignment).
- Open the file in any browser to search, print, or save it.
This is the official way to see every default and custom assignment in one place handy when you’re building macros and need to spot an unused key.
How to Create Macros in Studio One
A macro chains several commands into a single keystroke for example, “split, mute, and move to next marker” in one press. Macros are where shortcuts go from time-savers to workflow superpowers.
- Open the Macro Toolbar (View menu) and click the Macro Organizer.
- Click Add to create a new macro and give it a clear name.
- From the command list, add the individual commands you want the macro to run, in order.
- Save the macro, then assign it a keyboard shortcut the same way you’d assign any command (Preferences → Keyboard Shortcuts → search your macro’s name).
- Press your new shortcut to run the whole sequence at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you change keyboard shortcuts in Studio One?
Yes. Every command in Studio One can be reassigned. Open Preferences (Mac) or Options (Windows), go to the Keyboard Shortcuts tab, search for the command, and press your preferred key combination. If the keys are already in use, Studio One warns you before you overwrite them.
Are Studio One shortcuts the same on Mac and Windows?
Mostly. The main difference is that Ctrl on Windows becomes Cmd on Mac, and Alt becomes Opt. Shift is identical on both, and single-letter shortcuts like D (duplicate), M (mute), and Q (quantize) are the same across platforms.
What is the shortcut to split a clip in Studio One?
Press Alt + X (Windows) or Opt + X (Mac) to split the selected event at the cursor position.
What is the Quantize shortcut in Studio One?
Press Q to quantize, Alt/Opt + Q to quantize at 50% strength, and Shift + Q to restore the original timing.
How do I see all my assigned shortcuts in Studio One?
Open the Help menu and choose Keyboard Shortcuts. Studio One generates an HTML file listing every command and its current key assignment, which you can search, print, or save.
What is a macro in Studio One?
A macro chains several commands into a single keystroke for example, split, delete, and move to cursor in one press. You build macros in the Macro Organizer and can assign them their own keyboard shortcut.
Does Studio One have a Pro Tools keyboard mode?
Studio One includes alternative keyboard mapping schemes in the Keyboard Shortcuts settings, so users coming from other DAWs can choose a layout closer to what they already know. Check the Keyboard Mapping Scheme option in Preferences/Options to see the available presets.
Can I download a Studio One shortcuts cheat sheet?
Yes you can download the full Studio One shortcuts list as a free PDF from this page using the download link above.
Start Building Speed Today
You don’t need to memorize all of these at once. Pick the five or six shortcuts you’d use most Spacebar, D, Q, Ctrl/Cmd + S, and the split key are a strong start and let the rest become muscle memory over time. Once the defaults feel natural, customize the keys that don’t fit your workflow and build a macro or two to collapse your most repetitive edits into a single press.
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