Pro Tools Keyboard Commands

Every key Halo handles in Pro Tools. "Twice" means press the key twice quickly.

Halo's Own Keys

These work anywhere in Pro Tools.

Slash: Turns the Inspector on and off. The Inspector keys below only work while it's on.
Command+Slash: Turns the Mouse layer on and off.
Option+Slash: In a plugin window, turns the Plugin Monitor on and off.
Grave Accent with modifiers: With the Mouse layer on, clicks at the VoiceOver cursor with those modifiers held. On a track strip it sets up the click instead, and the next Inspector key clicks that control with your modifiers.
Command+Option+Shift+Z: Makes the front window fill the screen.
Control+Shift+Command+C: Starts resizing the Clips list. Left and Right Arrow make it narrower or wider, Return or Escape when you're done.
Control+Shift+Command+T: Starts resizing the Track List, the same way.
Control+Shift+S: Pro Tools Search. When it closes, Halo tells you the track or marker it took you to.
keypad asterisk: Opens the main counter so you can type a location. Halo reads what you type and where you are in it.
keypad slash: In the Edit window, opens the edit selection start so you can type it. Slash again moves on to the end, then the length.
Option+keypad slash: Opens the start field in the Transport window.
Return or Enter in a comment: Halo says "Comment saved."
P and Shift+P in a plugin panel: With Live meters on, P pins the meter you're on so it keeps reading, and P again unpins it. Shift+P reads every meter once.

Anywhere in Pro Tools

Many of these do what Pro Tools does with the key, then Halo tells you what happened.

F1: Says whether Shuffle mode is on. Twice switches to it.
F2: Says whether Slip mode is on. Twice switches to it.
F3: Says whether Spot mode is on. Twice switches to it.
F4: Says whether Grid mode is on. Twice switches to it.
Command+J: Says whether the transport is online. Twice switches it.
Command+K: Says whether pre and post roll is on. Twice switches it.
Command+F1: Says the edit selection start. Twice lets you type a new one.
Command+F2: Says the edit selection end. Twice lets you type a new one.
Command+F3: Says the edit selection length. Twice lets you type a new one.
Command+F4: Says the main counter. Twice lets you type a new location.
Command+F6: Says the sub counter. Twice lets you type a new location.
Command+F7: Says the nudge value. Twice lets you type a new one.
Command+F8: Says the grid value.
Command+F9: Says the pre-roll amount. Twice lets you type a new one.
Command+F10: Says the post-roll amount. Twice lets you type a new one.
Command+F11: Says the tempo. Twice lets you type a new one.
Shift+T: Pro Tools' Link Track and Edit Selection, and Halo says whether it's on.
Shift+Up Arrow or Shift+Down Arrow or Shift+Home or Shift+End or Shift+Page Up or Shift+Page Down or Option+Shift+L: Says which tracks are selected. With Shift and an arrow, Home, End, Page Up or Page Down, it does Pro Tools' own selection first, then says them.
Shift+Minus or Control+Command+keypad minus: Makes the grid value smaller and says the new value.
Shift+Equals or Control+Command+keypad plus: Makes the grid value bigger and says the new value.
Shift+Slash: Pro Tools' Link Timeline and Edit Selection, and Halo says whether it's on.
Shift+Command+L: Says whether loop playback is on. Twice switches it.
Shift+Command+P: Says whether QuickPunch is on. Twice switches it.
Shift+Command+T: Says whether TrackPunch is on. Twice switches it.
Option+A: Says the attack velocity of the selected MIDI note. Twice lets you type a new one.
Option+E: Says the release velocity of the selected MIDI note. Twice lets you type a new one.
Option+K: Switches Set Record Tracks between Auto Input and Input Only, and says which one it's on now.
Option+L: Says whether loop record is on. Twice switches it.
Option+P: Says the pitch of the selected MIDI note. Twice lets you type a new one.
Option+F11: Says whether Wait for Note is on. Twice switches it.
Option+F12: Says whether the conductor track is on. Twice switches it.
Option+Grave Accent: Goes to the next open plugin window and says its name.
Option+Minus: Pro Tools' own key to toggle the track view on all tracks, and Halo says it did.
Option+keypad 7: Says whether the metronome is on. Twice switches it.
Option+keypad 8: Says whether count in is on. Twice switches it.
Option+keypad 9: Says whether MIDI merge is on. Twice switches it.
Option+Command+M: Says whether Narrow Mix is on. Twice switches it.
Option+Command+W: Closes the plugin windows and other floating windows that are open.
Option+Command+1: Puts keyboard focus on the Edit window's tracks, and says so.
Option+Command+2: Puts keyboard focus on the Clips list, and says so.
Option+Command+3: Puts keyboard focus on the Groups list, and says so.
Option+Command+F4: Opens the menu for what the main counter shows (bars and beats, minutes and seconds, and so on).
Option+Command+F6: Opens the menu for what the sub counter shows.
Option+Command+F7: Opens the nudge value menu.
Option+Command+F8: Opens the grid value menu.
Option+Command+Up Arrow: Fits every track's height to the Edit window.
Option+Command+Tab: Says whether Tab to Transients is on. Twice switches it.
Option+Command+Comma: Opens Pro Tools' own Preferences.
Option+Command+keypad plus or Option+Shift+Equals: Makes the nudge value bigger and says the new value.
Option+Command+keypad minus or Option+Shift+Minus: Makes the nudge value smaller and says the new value.
Option+Shift+G: Says the session's name, sample rate and bit depth, and how many tracks are armed, soloed, muted and input monitoring.
Option+Shift+H: Says which tracks are hidden. Twice opens the Track List menu.
Option+Shift+K: Says which tracks have input monitoring on.
Option+Shift+M: Says which tracks are muted.
Option+Shift+Q: Bounces the mix and tells you where it goes over. Twice turns on over watch, which tells you about overs on any track while the session plays.
Option+Shift+R: Says which tracks are record armed.
Option+Shift+S: Says which tracks are soloed.
Option+Shift+W: Says which tracks are showing. Twice opens the Track List menu.
Option+Shift+0: Says which tracks have their fader at 0 dB.
Option+Shift+Grave Accent: Goes to the previous open plugin window and says its name.
Option+Shift+Left Bracket: In the MIDI event list, moves to the previous column.
Option+Shift+Right Bracket: In the MIDI event list, moves to the next column of a note and reads it, and keeps reading it as you move between notes.
Option+Shift+Comma: Says the selected clips.
Option+Shift+Command+L: Opens the Track Lists window, a little mixer for muting, soloing, arming or input monitoring tracks one thing at a time.
Option+Shift+Command+R: Says which tracks are record safe.
Option+Shift+Command+S: Says which tracks are solo safe.
Option+Shift+Command+Comma: Picks up the selected clip to move it to another track. Twice picks up a copy.
Option+Shift+Command+Period: With the VoiceOver cursor on another track, drops the clip you picked up onto it at the same time, and says where it went.
Control+N: Says whether Insertion Follows Playback is on. Twice switches it.
Control+Tab or Control+Command+L or Control+Command+Apostrophe: Pro Tools' own key to select the next or previous clip, then Halo says its name, where it starts, how long it is, its fades and whether it's muted.
Control+Command+P: Says whether dynamic transport is on. Twice switches it.
Control+Command+Left Arrow: Changes the selected tracks to the previous track view.
Control+Command+Right Arrow: Changes the selected tracks to the next track view.
Control+Command+Return: In the MIDI event list, edits the column you're on.
Control+Command+Comma: Opens Halo's Preferences.
Control+Shift+Command+Left Arrow or Control+Option+Command+Left Arrow: Changes every track to the previous track view. With the Inspector on, the Control+Shift+Command one pans instead, so turn the Inspector off first.
Control+Shift+Command+Right Arrow or Control+Option+Command+Right Arrow: Changes every track to the next track view. With the Inspector on, the Control+Shift+Command one pans instead, so turn the Inspector off first.
Control+Option+Command+Down Arrow: Fits every track's height to the Edit window.

On a Track (the Inspector)

With the Inspector on (Slash) and the VoiceOver cursor on a track in the Mix or Edit window, or anything on its strip.

A: Says the automation mode. Twice opens its menu.
B: In the Edit window, says the track's timebase. Twice opens its menu.
C: Reads the track's comment. Twice puts you in the comment field to change it.
E: In the Edit window, says the track's Elastic Audio setting. Twice opens its menu.
F: In the Edit window, says whether the track is frozen. Twice freezes or unfreezes it.
G: Says the track's group. Twice opens its menu.
H: In the Edit window, opens the track options menu.
I: Says the track's input. Twice opens its menu.
K: Says whether input monitoring is on. Twice switches it.
L: Says the track's level in tenths of a dB. Twice starts or stops the level monitor, which keeps reading the loudest level.
M: Says whether the track is muted. Twice switches it.
N: Says the pan, both sides on a stereo track.
O: Says the track's output. Twice opens its menu.
P: Says the peak hold. Twice clears it.
R: Says whether the track is record armed. Twice switches it.
S: Says whether the track is soloed. Twice switches it.
T: Selects the track. Twice opens its right-click menu.
U: Says the meter type. Twice opens the menu to change it.
V: Says the track's volume. Twice resets the fader to 0 dB.
W: In the Edit window, says the track view. Twice opens its menu.
1 to 0 (Insert A to J): Says what's on the insert and whether it's bypassed. Twice opens its plugin window.
Backslash: Says the track's playlist. Twice opens the playlist menu in the Edit window.
Semicolon: Says the track's gain reduction. Twice turns the gain reduction monitor on or off.
Command+1 to Command+0 (Assign Insert A to J): Opens the insert's menu to pick a plugin.
Shift+L: Says the track's maximum level.
Shift+V: In the Mix window, grabs the volume fader (or pan, if the track view is pan) so you can ride it with the arrows while the music plays. Shift+V, Return or Escape lets go.
Shift+Semicolon: Says the track's maximum gain reduction.
Option+I: On an instrument track, says its MIDI input. Twice opens its menu.
Option+M: On an instrument track, says whether its MIDI is muted. Twice switches it.
Option+N: On an instrument track, says its MIDI pan. Twice resets it.
Option+O: On an instrument track, says its MIDI output. Twice opens its menu.
Option+V: On an instrument track, says its MIDI volume. Twice resets it.
Option+1 to Option+0 (Move Insert A to J): In the Mix window, picks up the plugin on the insert you're on, then drops it on the insert you're on next, on any track. Twice picks up the whole chain.
Option+Up Arrow: Picks up the track. Then on another track, puts it above that one.
Option+Down Arrow: Picks up the track. Then on another track, puts it below that one, or inside a folder.
Option+Shift+V: Pastes the last plugin or chain you copied again, onto the track you're on.
Option+Shift+1 to Option+Shift+0 (Copy Insert A to J): Same as moving, but copies it, settings and all.
Option+Shift+Command+Up Arrow: Moves the instrument's MIDI volume up a step.
Option+Shift+Command+Down Arrow: Moves the instrument's MIDI volume down a step.
Option+Shift+Command+Left Arrow: Moves the instrument's MIDI pan left a step.
Option+Shift+Command+Right Arrow: Moves the instrument's MIDI pan right a step.
Control+1 to Control+0 (Send A to J): Says where the send goes. Twice opens its send window.
Control+Command+1 to Control+Command+0 (Assign Send A to J): Opens the send's menu to pick where it goes.
Control+Command+Up Arrow: Moves the volume fader up a step and says it.
Control+Command+Down Arrow: Moves the volume fader down a step and says it.
Control+Command+Left Arrow: Moves the pan left a step and says it.
Control+Command+Right Arrow: Moves the pan right a step and says it.
Control+Shift+Command+Up Arrow: On a stereo track, moves both pan knobs out from the center together.
Control+Shift+Command+Down Arrow: On a stereo track, moves both pan knobs in toward the center together.
Control+Shift+Command+Left Arrow: On a stereo track, moves the right channel's pan left a step.
Control+Shift+Command+Right Arrow: On a stereo track, moves the right channel's pan right a step.

The Fade In Window

While the Fade In window is in front.

Up Arrow or Down Arrow: Changes the fade in shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Left Arrow or Option+Right Arrow: Changes the fade in curve, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Command+Up Arrow or Option+Command+Down Arrow: Changes the link, and Halo says the new setting.

The Fade Out Window

While the Fade Out window is in front.

Up Arrow or Down Arrow: Changes the fade out shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Command+Left Arrow or Command+Right Arrow: Changes the fade out curve, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Command+Up Arrow or Option+Command+Down Arrow: Changes the link, and Halo says the new setting.

The Crossfade Window

While the Crossfade window is in front.

Up Arrow or Down Arrow: Changes the link, and Halo says the new setting.
Command+Up Arrow or Command+Down Arrow: Changes the crossfade out shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Command+Left Arrow or Command+Right Arrow: Changes the crossfade out curve, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Up Arrow or Option+Down Arrow: Changes the crossfade in shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Left Arrow or Option+Right Arrow: Changes the crossfade in curve, and Halo says the new setting.

The Batch Fades Window

While the Batch Fades window is in front.

Command+Up Arrow or Command+Down Arrow: Changes the fade out shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Command+Left Arrow or Command+Right Arrow: Changes the fade out curve, and Halo says the new setting.
Shift+Up Arrow or Shift+Down Arrow: Changes the fade in shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Shift+Left Arrow or Shift+Right Arrow: Changes the fade in curve, and Halo says the new setting.
Shift+Command+Up Arrow or Shift+Command+Down Arrow: Changes the in slope, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Up Arrow or Option+Down Arrow: Changes the crossfade in shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Left Arrow or Option+Right Arrow: Changes the crossfade in curve, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Command+Up Arrow or Option+Command+Down Arrow: Changes the crossfade link, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Shift+Up Arrow or Option+Shift+Down Arrow: Changes the crossfade out shape, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Shift+Left Arrow or Option+Shift+Right Arrow: Changes the crossfade out curve, and Halo says the new setting.
Control+Command+Up Arrow or Control+Command+Down Arrow: Changes the out slope, and Halo says the new setting.

The New Tracks Window

While the New Tracks window is in front.

Command+Up Arrow or Command+Down Arrow: Changes the track type, and Halo says the new setting.
Command+Left Arrow or Command+Right Arrow: Changes the track format, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Command+Up Arrow or Option+Command+Down Arrow: Changes the track timebase, and Halo says the new setting.

The Move To New Folder Window

While the Move To New Folder window is in front.

Command+Up Arrow or Command+Down Arrow: Changes the type, and Halo says the new setting.
Command+Left Arrow or Command+Right Arrow: Changes the format, and Halo says the new setting.
Option+Command+Up Arrow or Option+Command+Down Arrow: Changes the time base, and Halo says the new setting.

The AudioSuite Window

While the AudioSuite window is in front.

Left Bracket: Goes to the previous preset and says its name.
Right Bracket: Goes to the next preset and says its name.
Option+Command+P: Says the current preset. Twice opens the preset menu.
Control+Option+Shift+Command+B: Presses Bypass and says whether it's on.
Control+Option+Shift+Command+N: Presses Analyze.
Control+Option+Shift+Command+P: Starts or stops previewing.
Control+Option+Shift+Command+R: Presses Render.

Plugin Windows

While a plugin window is in front.

Left Bracket: Goes to the previous preset and says its name.
Right Bracket: Goes to the next preset and says its name.
Option+B: Turns bypass on or off and says which it is now.
Option+Command+P: Says the current preset. Twice opens the Librarian menu.

Tabbed Windows (I/O Setup, Preferences and so on)

In windows with tabs along the top.

Command+1 to Command+9 (Tabs 1 to 9): Goes to that tab, first to ninth. The number row or the keypad both work.

Back to the top