10 Time-Saving Shortcuts in Cubase Pro 14 That Every New User Should Know
At Streamworks Audio, we’ve spent years working with Cubase, fine-tuning our workflow, and uncovering the best ways to speed up music production. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been using Cubase Pro for a while, mastering a few essential shortcuts can make a huge difference in how efficiently you work. Veteran users may already know some of these, but you might just pick up a new trick or two!
1. Duplicate Events Instantly
Instead of manually copying and pasting events, use Ctrl + D (Windows) / Cmd + D (Mac) to quickly duplicate selected events. This is perfect for repeating drum hits, chords, or any other musical phrase without interrupting your creative flow in Cubase Pro.
2. Jump to Left or Right Locator
Navigating between different sections of your Cubase project is a breeze with Num 1 (jump to left locator) and Num 2 (jump to right locator). This is especially useful when working with looped sections or making precise edits.
3. Range Tool Quick Copy
Want to copy a specific section of audio or MIDI without using the standard copy-paste commands? Simply select an area with the Range Selection Tool, then hold Alt (Windows) / Opt (Mac) and drag to duplicate it instantly in Cubase Pro.
4. Quantize MIDI and Audio Fast
No need to navigate through menus to tighten up your performance in Cubase—just select your MIDI notes or audio and press Q to quantize them to your grid settings instantly.
5. Quick Fade In/Out
Speed up your mixing workflow by selecting an audio event and pressing Alt + F (Windows) / Opt + F (Mac) to apply a fade-in or fade-out. This is a great way to clean up clips and remove unwanted clicks or pops in Cubase Pro.
6. Move Events Without Snapping Temporarily
While snap settings are useful, sometimes you need to move something freely. Hold Ctrl (Windows) / Cmd (Mac) while dragging an event to temporarily disable snap, allowing precise placement in Cubase.
7. Open the MixConsole Instantly
Instead of hunting through menus, press F3 to instantly open or close the MixConsole in Cubase Pro. This is a massive time-saver when making quick mix adjustments.
8. Bypass All Inserts Quickly
Need to compare a track with and without processing? Instead of disabling each plugin manually, simply Alt + Click (Windows) / Opt + Click (Mac) on the insert power button in the MixConsole to bypass all inserts on that track at once in Cubase.
9. Jump Between Windows
Working in multiple project windows? Cycle through them quickly using Ctrl + Tab (Windows) / Cmd + ~ (Mac) instead of clicking around with your mouse in Cubase Pro.
10. Customize Your Own Macros & Key Commands
One of the most powerful ways to speed up your workflow is by creating custom macros. Head to File > Key Commands in Cubase to set up multi-step actions that can be triggered with a single keystroke.
At Streamworks Audio, we’re all about helping Cubase Pro users get the most out of their DAW. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, integrating these shortcuts into your workflow will save you valuable time and keep you focused on making great music.
Want to dive even deeper into Cubase Pro 14? Check out SWA Complete Cubase Pro 14, our in-depth video tutorial by Walter Hunnicutt. This comprehensive guide covers everything from the basics to advanced techniques, helping you master Cubase with expert instruction. Learn more and take your workflow to the next level!
