Ableton Live keyboard shortcuts
Ableton Live's keymap reaches almost every part of a set: views, devices, clips, arrangement editing, tracks, transport, and the browser. The groups follow Live's own manual so a binding stays tied to the view where it works.
Windows, macOS · 240 shortcutsViews and focus
Show or hide Live's main views, move keyboard focus, and switch between the Session, Arrangement, Device, and Clip areas.
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle full-screen mode | F11 | CtrlCmdF |
| Toggle the second window | CtrlShiftW | CmdShiftW |
| Switch between Session and Arrangement View | Tab | Tab |
| Toggle Hot-Swap mode | Q | Q |
| Toggle Drum Rack or the last selected pad | D | D |
| Show or hide Info View | Shift? | Shift? |
| Show or hide the video window | CtrlAltV | CmdOptionV |
| Show or hide the Overview | CtrlAltO | CmdOptionO |
| Show or hide In/Out | CtrlAltI | CmdOptionI |
| Show or hide Sends | CtrlAltS | CmdOptionS |
| Show or hide the Mixer | CtrlAltM | CmdOptionM |
| Show or hide Clip View | CtrlAlt3 | CmdOption3 |
| Show or hide Device View | CtrlAlt4 | CmdOption4 |
| Show or hide the Groove Pool | CtrlAlt6 | CmdOption6 |
| Show or hide Learn View | CtrlAlt7 | CmdOption7 |
| Open Settings | Ctrl, | Cmd, |
| Close the current window or dialog | Esc | Esc |
| Move focus to the Control Bar | Alt0 | Option0 |
| Move focus to Session View | Alt1 | Option1 |
| Move focus to Arrangement View | Alt2 | Option2 |
| Move focus to Clip View | Alt3 | Option3 |
| Move focus to Device View | Alt4 | Option4 |
| Move focus to the Browser | Alt5 | Option5 |
| Move focus to the Groove Pool | Alt6 | Option6 |
| Move focus to Learn View | Alt7 | Option7 |
| Move focus to the selected clip panel | Alt8 | Option8 |
| Move focus to the clip panels | AltShiftP | OptionShiftP |
| Move to the next focusable control | Tab | Tab |
| Move to the previous focusable control | ShiftTab | ShiftTab |
| Move to the next neighboring control | CtrlTab | OptionTab |
| Move to the previous neighboring control | CtrlShiftTab | OptionShiftTab |
| Switch between Device and Clip View | ShiftTaborF12 | ShiftTaborF12 |
| Show or hide the Browser | CtrlAltBorCtrlAlt5 | CmdOptionBorCmdOption5 |
Sets, devices, and editing
Create and save sets, manage devices, use standard editing commands, and change the selected value.
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Create a new Live Set | CtrlN | CmdN |
| Open a Live Set | CtrlO | CmdO |
| Save the Live Set | CtrlS | CmdS |
| Save the Live Set as a new file | CtrlShiftS | CmdShiftS |
| Quit Live | CtrlQ | CmdQ |
| Hide Live | Not documented | CmdH |
| Export audio or video | CtrlShiftR | CmdShiftR |
| Export a MIDI file | CtrlShiftE | CmdShiftE |
| Group selected devices | CtrlG | CmdG |
| Ungroup selected devices | CtrlShiftG | CmdShiftG |
| Reset the selected parameter | Delete | Delete |
| Load the selected device from the Browser | Enter | Enter |
| Hot-swap the selected device | Q | Q |
| Show or hide open plug-in windows | CtrlAltP | CmdOptionP |
| Switch the A/B device state | P | P |
| Cut | CtrlX | CmdX |
| Copy | CtrlC | CmdC |
| Paste | CtrlV | CmdV |
| Duplicate | CtrlD | CmdD |
| Delete | Delete | Delete |
| Undo | CtrlZ | CmdZ |
| Redo | CtrlY | CmdShiftZ |
| Rename | CtrlR | CmdR |
| Select all | CtrlA | CmdA |
| Move to the next track or scene while renaming | Tab | Tab |
| Increment or decrement a selected value | Up/Down | Up/Down |
| Change a value by octaves or fine increments | ShiftUp/Down | ShiftUp/Down |
| Return a selected value to its default | Delete | Delete |
| Type a value | 0-9 | 0-9 |
| Move to the next bar, beat, or sixteenth field | . or , | . or , |
| Cancel value entry | Esc | Esc |
| Confirm value entry | Enter | Enter |
Automation, grid, and loop
Edit breakpoint envelopes and loop markers, change the grid, and set Live's global launch quantization.
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle Automation Mode | A | A |
| Momentarily toggle fade controls | F | F |
| Delete the selected breakpoint envelope | CtrlDelete | CmdDelete |
| Set the start marker | CtrlF9 | CmdF9 |
| Set the loop brace start | CtrlF10 | CmdF10 |
| Set the loop brace end | CtrlF11 | CmdF11 |
| Set the end marker | CtrlF12 | CmdF12 |
| Nudge the loop brace left or right | Left/Right | Left/Right |
| Move the loop by its length | Up/Down | Up/Down |
| Halve or double the loop length | CtrlUp/Down | CmdUp/Down |
| Shorten or lengthen the loop | CtrlLeft/Right | CmdLeft/Right |
| Select the material inside the loop | CtrlShiftL | CmdShiftL |
| Zoom the window in | Ctrl+ | Cmd+ |
| Zoom the window out | Ctrl- | Cmd- |
| Zoom the time ruler in | + | + |
| Zoom the time ruler out | - | - |
| Scroll the display to follow playback | AltShiftF | OptionShiftF |
| Toggle Draw Mode | B | B |
| Narrow the grid | Ctrl1 | Cmd1 |
| Widen the grid | Ctrl2 | Cmd2 |
| Toggle the triplet grid | Ctrl3 | Cmd3 |
| Toggle Snap to Grid | Ctrl4 | Cmd4 |
| Switch between fixed and zoom-adaptive grid | Ctrl5 | Cmd5 |
| Set sixteenth-note global quantization | Ctrl6 | Cmd6 |
| Set eighth-note global quantization | Ctrl7 | Cmd7 |
| Set quarter-note global quantization | Ctrl8 | Cmd8 |
| Set one-bar global quantization | Ctrl9 | Cmd9 |
| Turn global quantization off | Ctrl0 | Cmd0 |
Clip editors
Move between Clip View tabs and edit warp markers, transients, MIDI notes, velocity, chance, and note groups.
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Switch to the next Clip View editor tab | CtrlTab | OptionTab |
| Switch to the Sample or Notes tab | AltShift1 | OptionShift1 |
| Switch to the Envelopes tab | AltShift2 | OptionShift2 |
| Switch to the MPE tab | AltShift3 | OptionShift3 |
| Quantize | CtrlU | CmdU |
| Open Quantize Settings | CtrlShiftU | CmdShiftU |
| Move the selected warp marker | Left/Right | Left/Right |
| Select the previous or next warp marker | CtrlLeft/Right | CmdLeft/Right |
| Zoom to the clip selection | Z | Z |
| Zoom back from the clip selection | X | X |
| Insert a warp marker | CtrlI | CmdI |
| Delete a warp marker | Delete | Delete |
| Insert a transient | CtrlShiftI | CmdShiftI |
| Delete a transient | CtrlShiftDelete | CmdShiftDelete |
| Fit clip content to the view width | W | W |
| Fit clip content to the view height | H | H |
| Chop selected notes on the grid | CtrlE | CmdE |
| Join selected notes | CtrlJ | CmdJ |
| Fit notes to the selected time range | CtrlAltJ | CmdOptionJ |
| Scroll the MIDI editor vertically | Page Up/Down | Page Up/Down |
| Scroll the MIDI editor vertically in fine increments | ShiftPage Up/Down | ShiftPage Up/Down |
| Scroll the MIDI editor horizontally | CtrlPage Up/Down | CmdPage Up/Down |
| Scroll the Clip View display to follow playback | CtrlShiftF | OptionShiftF |
| Move the clip region with its start marker | ShiftLeft/Right | ShiftLeft/Right |
| Select the previous or next note | AltUp/Down | OptionUp/Down |
| Select the previous or next note on the same key track | AltLeft/Right | OptionLeft/Right |
| Adjust the selected note velocity | CtrlUp/Down | CmdUp/Down |
| Adjust selected note velocity deviation | CtrlShiftUp/Down | CmdShiftUp/Down |
| Adjust selected note chance | CtrlAltUp/Down | CmdOptionUp/Down |
| Toggle full-size Clip View | CtrlAltE | CmdOptionE |
| Group notes for Play All | CtrlG | CmdG |
| Ungroup notes | CtrlShiftG | CmdShiftG |
| Apply the current MIDI tool settings | CtrlEnter | CmdEnter |
| Invert the note selection | CtrlShiftA | CmdShiftA |
| Highlight the scale | K | K |
| Select all notes | CtrlA | CmdA |
| Zoom the MIDI editor in or out horizontally | +/- | +/- |
| Set note selection velocity | 0-127Enter | 0-127Enter |
| Split the Arrangement clip at the time selection | CtrlShiftE | CmdShiftE |
| Show or hide MIDI note filters | CtrlShiftF | CmdShiftF |
| Move the MIDI insert marker to the beginning | Home | HomeorFnLeft |
| Move the MIDI insert marker to the end | End | EndorFnRight |
Session and Arrangement View
Launch clips and scenes, edit Arrangement time, manage take lanes, and bounce selected material to audio.
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Launch the selected clip or slot | Enter | Enter |
| Select a neighboring clip or slot | Arrow keys | Arrow keys |
| Select all clips or slots | CtrlA | CmdA |
| Add or remove a stop button | CtrlE | CmdE |
| Stop clips in the track with the selected slot | CtrlEnter | CmdEnter |
| Insert a MIDI clip | CtrlShiftM | CmdShiftM |
| Insert a scene | CtrlI | CmdI |
| Insert a captured scene | CtrlShiftI | CmdShiftI |
| Move between scenes one at a time | Up/Down | Up/Down |
| Move between scenes eight at a time | Page Up/Down | Page Up/Down |
| Record to Session View | CtrlShiftF9 | CmdShiftF9 |
| Toggle Follow Actions for selected clips | ShiftEnter | ShiftEnter |
| Create a Follow Action chain | CtrlShiftEnter | CmdShiftEnter |
| Move the selected track left or right | CtrlLeft/Right | CmdLeft/Right |
| Move nonadjacent scenes without collapsing them | CtrlUp/Down | CmdUp/Down |
| Deactivate the selected clip | 0 | 0 |
| Jump to the highlighted track title bar | Esc | Esc |
| Jump to the first track in the current scene | Home | Home |
| Jump to the last track or return to the current scene | End | End |
| Solo the selected chain | S | S |
| Split the clip at the selection | CtrlE | CmdE |
| Consolidate the selection into a clip | CtrlJ | CmdJ |
| Crop selected clips | CtrlShiftJ | CmdShiftJ |
| Resize a clip from the insert marker at its edge | EnterLeft/Right | EnterLeft/Right |
| Create a fade or crossfade | CtrlAltF | CmdOptionF |
| Delete fades or crossfades in selected clips | CtrlAltBackspace | CmdOptionDelete |
| Toggle the loop brace | CtrlL | CmdL |
| Insert silence | CtrlI | CmdI |
| Cut time | CtrlShiftX | CmdShiftX |
| Copy time | CtrlShiftC | CmdShiftC |
| Paste time | CtrlShiftV | CmdShiftV |
| Duplicate time | CtrlShiftD | CmdShiftD |
| Delete time | CtrlShiftDelete | CmdShiftDelete |
| Fold or unfold selected tracks | U or Left/Right | U or Left/Right |
| Unfold all tracks | AltU | OptionU |
| Adjust the height of selected tracks or clips | Alt+/- | Option+/- |
| Scroll the Arrangement display to follow playback | CtrlShiftF | OptionShiftF |
| Optimize Arrangement height | H | H |
| Optimize Arrangement width | W | W |
| Deactivate the selection | 0 | 0 |
| Nudge the selection left or right | Left/Right | Left/Right |
| Reverse the selected audio clip region | R | R |
| Zoom to the Arrangement time selection | Z | Z |
| Zoom back from the Arrangement time selection | X | X |
| Play from the insert marker in the selected clip | CtrlSpace | OptionSpace |
| Move the insert marker to the playhead | CtrlShiftSpace | CmdShiftSpace |
| Jump to the highlighted track title bar | Esc | Esc |
| Move focus to the Mixer | AltShiftM | OptionShiftM |
| Show take lanes | CtrlAltU | CmdOptionU |
| Add the selected take lane area to the main track lane | Enter | Enter |
| Audition the selected take lane | T | T |
| Add a take lane | ShiftAltT | ShiftOptionT |
| Duplicate the selected take lane | CtrlD | CmdD |
| Replace the main take with the next or previous take | CtrlUp/Down | CmdUp/Down |
| Bounce to a new track | CtrlB | CmdB |
| Paste bounced audio | CtrlAltV | CmdOptionV |
Tracks, transport, and browser
Create and control tracks, run transport commands, search the Browser, swap similar samples, and enter mapping modes.
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Insert an audio track | CtrlT | CmdT |
| Insert a MIDI track | CtrlShiftT | CmdShiftT |
| Insert a return track | CtrlAltT | CmdOptionT |
| Group selected tracks | CtrlG | CmdG |
| Ungroup tracks | CtrlShiftG | CmdShiftG |
| Show grouped tracks | + | + |
| Hide grouped tracks | - | - |
| Collapse or expand grouped tracks | U | U |
| Show or hide return tracks | CtrlAltR | CmdOptionR |
| Move nonadjacent tracks without collapsing them | CtrlArrow keys | CmdArrow keys |
| Arm selected tracks | C | C |
| Solo selected tracks | S | S |
| Add the selected device from the Browser | Enter | Enter |
| Deactivate the selected track | 0 | 0 |
| Freeze or unfreeze tracks | CtrlAltShiftF | CmdOptionShiftF |
| Delete the track from its title bar | Delete | Delete |
| Play from the start marker or stop | Space | Space |
| Continue playback from the stop point | ShiftSpace | ShiftSpace |
| Stop playback at the end of the selection | CtrlSpace | OptionSpace |
| Move the insert marker to the beginning | Home | Home |
| Record | F9 | F9 |
| Arm recording in Arrangement View | ShiftF9 | ShiftF9 |
| Return to Arrangement | F10 | F10 |
| Toggle track activators 1 through 8 | F1-F8 | F1-F8 |
| Toggle the metronome | O | O |
| Turn the audio engine on or off | CtrlAltShiftE | CmdOptionShiftE |
| Move up or down in the Browser | Up/Down | Up/Down |
| Close or open Browser folders | Left/Right | Left/Right |
| Search in the Browser | CtrlF | CmdF |
| Jump to Browser search results | Down or Enter | Down or Enter |
| Load the selected Browser item | Enter | Enter |
| Assign Browser color 1 through 7 | 1-7 | 1-7 |
| Clear the assigned Browser color | 0 | 0 |
| Show similar files | CtrlShiftF | CmdShiftF |
| Go back in Browser history | Ctrl[ | Cmd[ |
| Go forward in Browser history | Ctrl] | Cmd] |
| Show or hide the Browser Filter View | CtrlAltG | CmdOptionG |
| Show or hide the Browser Tag Editor | CtrlShiftE | CmdShiftE |
| Swap to the next similar sample | CtrlRight | CmdRight |
| Swap to the previous similar sample | CtrlLeft | CmdLeft |
| Save the sample as the similarity reference | CtrlUp | CmdUp |
| Return to the similarity reference | CtrlDown | CmdDown |
| Momentarily show similar sample swap controls in Drum Racks | Alt | Option |
| Toggle MIDI Map mode | CtrlM | CmdM |
| Toggle Key Map mode | CtrlK | CmdK |
| Toggle the Computer MIDI Keyboard | M | M |
| Move the Computer MIDI Keyboard octave down or up | Z/X | Z/X |
| Move Computer MIDI Keyboard velocity down or up | C/V | C/V |
| Preview the selected Browser file | ShiftEnterorRight | ShiftEnterorRight |