Mastering shortcuts in Ableton Live can drastically speed up your workflow, helping you stay in the creative zone without unnecessary clicks and menu diving. Over the years, I’ve refined my process by incorporating essential keyboard shortcuts that save time and make music production more intuitive. Below, you’ll find 33 of my favorite Ableton Live shortcuts that have improved my efficiency and workflow.
SHORTCUT FOR MAC OS | SHORTCUT FOR WINDOWS | DESCRIPTION |
O | O | Toggle metronome (Ableton Live 12 only) |
B | B | Enable/disable draw mode |
A | A | Show automation mode in arrangement view |
0 | 0 | Activate and deactivate selected MIDI/Audio clip |
Tab Key | Tab Key | Switch between session and arrangement view |
M | M | To enable or disable the MIDI computer keyboard, allowing you to use your keyboard as a MIDI controller |
R | R | Reverse audio/MIDI clip |
Cmd + Shift + C | Ctrl + Shift + C | Capture MIDI |
Cmd + J | Ctrl + J | Consolidate selected clips into one |
Cmd + C | Ctrl + C | Copy selected sections/item |
Cmd + V | Ctrl + V | To paste copied clips, tracks, and more across sections and even sessions |
Cmd + Z | Ctrl + Z | Undo |
Cmd + Shift + Z | Ctrl + Y | Redo |
Cmd + D | Ctrl + D | Duplicate the selected section, track, device, MIDI, or audio clip |
Cmd + R | Ctrl + R | Rename selected track/clip |
Cmd + I | Ctrl + I | Add silence or create space in Arrangement View, or add a scene in Session View |
Cmd + S | Ctrl + S | Save Live set |
Cmd + L | Ctrl + L | Loop selection |
Cmd + G | Ctrl + G | Group selected tracks or merge selected devices into an instrument rack |
Cmd + E | Ctrl + E | Split audio or MIDI clips at the position of your cursor |
Cmd + U | Ctrl + U | Quantize |
Cmd + Shift + U | Ctrl + Shift + U | Open advanced quantization settings |
Cmd + Shift + M | Ctrl + Shift + M | Create an empty MIDI clip in the selected time |
Cmd + T | Ctrl + T | Insert Audio track |
Cmd + Shift + T | Ctrl + Shift + T | Insert MIDI track |
Cmd + Option + T | Ctrl + Alt + T | Insert return track |
Cmd + , | Ctrl + , | Open the settings |
Cmd + M | Ctrl + M | Open MIDI mapping mode |
Cmd + K | Ctrl + K | Open key mapping mode |
Cmd + 1 | Ctrl + 1 | Narrow Grid |
Cmd + 2 | Ctrl + 2 | Widen Grid |
Cmd + 3 | Ctrl + 3 | Triplet Grid |
Cmd + 4 | Ctrl + 4 | Snap to Grid |
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By integrating these shortcuts into your daily workflow, you’ll notice a significant boost in speed and productivity. These time-saving commands will help you focus more on creativity and less on technical friction. Try them out, and let us know which ones you find the most useful!
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