Complete Adobe Audition Keyboard Shortcuts: 100+ Hotkeys for Windows & Mac (2026)
Audio editors who rely on mouse clicks spend significantly more time on routine tasks than those who master keyboard shortcuts. Whether you’re cleaning up a podcast, mixing a multitrack session, or editing audio for video, Adobe Audition’s shortcuts are the fastest way to stay in flow.
This guide covers every Adobe Audition keyboard shortcut for both Windows and Mac organized by workflow so you can find exactly what you need. You’ll find shortcuts for playback, editing, markers, the tools panel, effects, and spectral display, plus a step-by-step guide on customizing your own shortcut set.
A free PDF version of this entire shortcut list is available at the bottom of this page print it, pin it next to your monitor, or keep it on your phone.
Last verified against: Adobe Audition CC 2024 (Windows 10/11, macOS Ventura/Sonoma)
What is Adobe Audition?
Adobe Audition is a professional digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by Adobe Inc. as part of the Creative Cloud suite. It is used by podcasters, sound engineers, broadcast professionals, and video editors for recording, mixing, editing, and restoring audio.
The software operates in two primary modes:
- Waveform Editor: for destructive editing of individual audio files (cutting, noise reduction, effects processing)
- Multitrack Editor: for non-destructive mixing of multiple audio tracks simultaneously
Adobe Audition integrates directly with Adobe Premiere Pro, making it a go-to tool for video post-production audio workflows. It competes with tools like Pro Tools, GarageBand, Audacity, and Logic Pro in the DAW space.
Top 10 Most-Used Adobe Audition Shortcuts
These are the shortcuts every Adobe Audition user should memorize first:
| # | Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Play / Stop | Spacebar | Spacebar |
| 2 | Split clip at playhead | Ctrl + K | Cmd + K |
| 3 | Add marker | M | M |
| 4 | Undo | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| 5 | Redo | Ctrl + Shift + Z | Cmd + Shift + Z |
| 6 | Cut | Ctrl + X | Cmd + X |
| 7 | Copy | Ctrl + C | Cmd + C |
| 8 | Paste | Ctrl + V | Cmd + V |
| 9 | Zoom in (horizontal) | = | = |
| 10 | Select all | Ctrl + A | Cmd + A |
Pro tip: Memorize Spacebar, Ctrl+K, and M first. These three shortcuts alone cover 80% of a typical editing session.
Playback & Navigation Shortcuts
Waveform & Multitrack Playback
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Play / Stop | Spacebar | Spacebar |
| Play from start | Shift + Spacebar | Shift + Spacebar |
| Record | Shift + Spacebar (in record mode) | Shift + Spacebar |
| Set time indicator to beginning | Home | Home |
| Set time indicator to end | End | End |
| Move to previous marker / clip | Ctrl + Left Arrow | Cmd + Left Arrow |
| Move to next marker / clip | Ctrl + Right Arrow | Cmd + Right Arrow |
| Toggle return to start on stop | Shift + X | Shift + X |
| Switch Waveform / Multitrack editor | 8 | 8 |
| Zoom in horizontally | = | = |
| Zoom out horizontally | – | – |
| Zoom in vertically | Alt + = | Option + = |
| Zoom out vertically | Alt + – | Option + – |
| Zoom to selection | Ctrl + Alt + = | Cmd + Option + = |
| Zoom out full | Ctrl + Alt + – | Cmd + Option + – |
| Scroll left | Page Up | Page Up |
| Scroll right | Page Down | Page Down |
Audio Editing Shortcuts
Basic Edit Operations
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Shift + Z | Cmd + Shift + Z |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | Cmd + X |
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Cmd + C |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | Cmd + V |
| Mix paste | Shift + V | Shift + V |
| Copy to new | Alt + Shift + C | Option + Shift + C |
| Select all | Ctrl + A | Cmd + A |
| Deselect all | Ctrl + Shift + A | Cmd + Shift + A |
| Delete selected (with ripple) | Shift + Backspace | Shift + Delete |
| Delete time selection in clip | Alt + Backspace | Option + Delete |
| Delete time selection in all tracks | Ctrl + Alt + Backspace | Cmd + Option + Delete |
| Repeat last command (with dialog) | Shift + R | Shift + R |
| Repeat last command (no dialog) | Ctrl + R | Cmd + R |
Waveform-Specific Editing
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open Convert sample type dialog | Shift + T | Shift + T |
| Capture noise reduction profile | Shift + P | Shift + P |
| Activate left channel for editing | Up Arrow | Up Arrow |
| Activate right channel for editing | Down Arrow | Down Arrow |
| Make display more logarithmic | Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow | Cmd + Option + Up Arrow |
| Make display more linear | Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow | Cmd + Option + Down Arrow |
| Make display full logarithmic | Ctrl + Alt + Page Up | Cmd + Option + Page Up |
| Make display full linear | Ctrl + Alt + Page Down | Cmd + Option + Page Down |
| Increase spectral resolution | Shift + Ctrl + Up Arrow | Shift + Cmd + Up Arrow |
| Decrease spectral resolution | Shift + Ctrl + Down Arrow | Shift + Cmd + Down Arrow |
Mixing & Track Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Adjust knob in large increment | Shift + Drag | Shift + Drag |
| Adjust knob in small increment | Ctrl + Drag | Cmd + Drag |
| Maintain time position while dragging | Shift + Drag | Shift + Drag |
| Reposition envelope segment (no keyframe) | Ctrl + Drag | Cmd + Drag |
| Select same input/output for all audio tracks | Ctrl + Shift + Select | Cmd + Shift + Select |
| Activate/deactivate mute, solo, or record for all tracks | Ctrl + Shift + Click | Cmd + Shift + Click |
| Nudge selected clip left | Alt + , | Option + , |
| Nudge selected clip right | Alt + . | Option + . |
| Nudge selected clip up | Alt + Up Arrow | Option + Up Arrow |
| Nudge selected clip down | Alt + Down Arrow | Option + Down Arrow |
| Clip gain | Ctrl + G | Cmd + G |
Marker & Clip Shortcuts
Adding & Managing Markers
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Add marker | M | M |
| Move to next marker | Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow | Cmd + Option + Right Arrow |
| Move to previous marker | Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow | Cmd + Option + Left Arrow |
| Rename selected marker | / | / |
| Delete selected marker | Ctrl + 0 | Cmd + 0 |
| Delete all markers | Ctrl + Alt + 0 | Cmd + Option + 0 |
Clip Operations (Split, Nudge, Delete)
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Split clip at playhead | Ctrl + K | Cmd + K |
| Ripple delete selected clip | Shift + Backspace | Shift + Delete |
| Time selection in selected clip | Alt + Backspace | Option + Delete |
| Time selection in all tracks | Ctrl + Alt + Backspace | Cmd + Option + Delete |
| Spot Healing Brush | B | B |
Note: Ctrl+K (Win) / Cmd+K (Mac) is the razor tool shortcut in Adobe Audition it splits the clip at the current playhead position, equivalent to the Razor Tool (R) in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Tools Panel Shortcuts
| Tool | Windows / Mac |
|---|---|
| Move tool | V |
| Razor / Split tool | R |
| Slip tool | Y |
| Mark selection tool | E |
| Lasso selection tool | D |
| Paintbrush selection tool | P |
| Rectangular marquee tool | R |
| Frequency selection tool | F |
Effects & Spectral Display Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open Effects Rack | Alt + 9 | Option + 9 |
| Apply last-used effect | Ctrl + Shift + E | Cmd + Shift + E |
| Toggle spectral frequency display | Shift + D | Shift + D |
| Increase spectral resolution | Shift + Ctrl + Up Arrow | Shift + Cmd + Up Arrow |
| Decrease spectral resolution | Shift + Ctrl + Down Arrow | Shift + Cmd + Down Arrow |
| Spot Healing Brush (spectral repair) | B | B |
| Toggle Essential Sound panel | Shift + Ctrl + 8 | Shift + Cmd + 8 |
How to Customize Adobe Audition Keyboard Shortcuts
Adobe Audition lets you customize nearly every keyboard shortcut. Here’s how:
- Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows) or Audition > Keyboard Shortcuts (Mac).
- The Keyboard Shortcuts window opens, showing a visual keyboard layout. Keys highlighted in purple already have shortcuts assigned.
- In the Command List below the keyboard, find the action you want to assign.
- Click the key you want to use on the visual keyboard layout.
- Use the Key Modifier List to add Ctrl, Shift, or Alt combinations.
- Click Save As to save your custom shortcut set as a named preset. If you don’t save, the preset menu will show “Custom.”
To reset all shortcuts to default, open the Keyboard Shortcuts window and select Adobe Audition Default from the Keyboard Layout Preset dropdown.
How to Use Pro Tools Shortcuts in Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition natively supports the Pro Tools keyboard layout preset. To activate it:
- Open Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Click the Keyboard Layout Preset dropdown.
- Select ProTools (read only).
You can now use Pro Tools shortcuts directly inside Adobe Audition useful if you’re switching DAWs or collaborating with Pro Tools users.
Adobe Audition vs Premiere Pro Shortcut Differences
Both Adobe Audition and Premiere Pro are part of Creative Cloud and share some keyboard logic but key shortcuts differ. Here’s a quick comparison for the most common actions:
| Action | Adobe Audition (Win) | Adobe Premiere Pro (Win) |
|---|---|---|
| Play / Stop | Spacebar | Spacebar |
| Split / Razor cut | Ctrl + K | Ctrl + K |
| Add marker | M | M |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Ctrl + Z |
| Zoom in | = | = |
| Nudge clip left | Alt + , | Alt + Left Arrow |
| Nudge clip right | Alt + . | Alt + Right Arrow |
| Select all clips | Ctrl + A | Ctrl + A |
| Ripple delete | Shift + Backspace | Shift + Delete |
| Open effects | Alt + 9 | Shift + 5 |
Key takeaway: Most universal edit shortcuts (play, split, undo, markers) are identical across both apps making it easy to switch between them. The main differences appear in nudging, effects, and panel navigation. or explore free DAW alternatives to Adobe Audition.
Shortcuts Not Working – Troubleshooting
If your Adobe Audition keyboard shortcuts have stopped working, here are the most common causes and fixes:
1. Wrong workspace active Some shortcuts only work in the Waveform Editor, others only in the Multitrack Editor. Check which workspace you’re in (press 8 to toggle) before assuming the shortcut is broken.
2. Custom preset overwriting defaults If you’ve previously customized shortcuts, your current preset may conflict with the default. Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts and reload the Adobe Audition Default preset.
3. Third-party software conflict Applications like screen recorders, system utilities, or gaming overlays can intercept keystrokes before Audition receives them. Try closing other apps and testing shortcuts again.
4. Incorrect keyboard language/layout Audition detects your hardware keyboard and sets the layout accordingly. If you’re using a non-US layout, some keys may not match the documentation. Check Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts for your actual key assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut to split audio in Adobe Audition?
Press Ctrl + K on Windows or Cmd + K on Mac to split a clip at the current playhead position. This is the equivalent of the razor tool in Adobe Premiere Pro.
How do I add a marker in Adobe Audition?
Press M to add a marker at the current playhead position. To move between markers, use Ctrl + Alt + Right/Left Arrow (Win) or Cmd + Option + Right/Left Arrow (Mac).
What is the play/stop shortcut in Adobe Audition?
Press the Spacebar to start or stop playback. This works in both the Waveform Editor and the Multitrack Editor.
How do I undo in Adobe Audition?
Press Ctrl + Z (Win) or Cmd + Z (Mac) to undo. To redo, press Ctrl + Shift + Z (Win) or Cmd + Shift + Z (Mac).
What is the razor tool shortcut in Adobe Audition?
The razor tool in Adobe Audition is activated by pressing R. However, to actually cut/split a clip at the playhead, use Ctrl + K (Win) / Cmd + K (Mac) this is faster than selecting the razor tool manually.
How do I nudge a clip in Adobe Audition?
Use Alt + , (comma) to nudge a selected clip left, and Alt + . (period) to nudge it right. On Mac, use Option + , and Option + ..
Can I use Pro Tools shortcuts in Adobe Audition?
Yes. Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts > Keyboard Layout Preset and select ProTools (read only) to apply the Pro Tools shortcut set natively inside Audition.
How do I zoom in Adobe Audition with a shortcut?
Press = to zoom in horizontally and – to zoom out. For vertical zoom, use Alt + = (zoom in) and Alt + – (zoom out) on Windows, or Option + = / Option + – on Mac.
Is there a shortcut to download or export audio in Adobe Audition?
Press Ctrl + Shift + E (Win) or Cmd + Shift + E (Mac) to open the Export Multitrack Mixdown dialog. For a single file, use Ctrl + Shift + S (Win) / Cmd + Shift + S (Mac) to Save As.
How do I open the Effects Rack in Adobe Audition?
Press Alt + 9 on Windows or Option + 9 on Mac to open the Effects Rack panel.
Keyboard shortcuts are the single fastest way to improve your Adobe Audition workflow. Start with the top 10 in the quick reference section above, then work your way through the category that matches your most common task whether that’s podcast editing, multitrack mixing, or spectral audio repair.
If you haven’t already, download the free PDF at the bottom of this page and keep it handy while you build muscle memory.
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