Unlike other editing and recording programs, Avid Pro Tools does not have an integrated way to reassign hotkeys and shortcuts within the program, so you're pretty much stuck with the default layout. How to Add or Change Shortcuts in Avid Pro Tools

Lock or Unlock Shuffle Mode: Command-click 'Shuffle' button (Mac) or Control-click 'Shuffle' button (Windows).

Cycle Through Edit Modes: Key (known as the 'Single Open Quote' key, located directly above the Tab key).

Enable Snap to Grid AND Shuffle Mode:.

Enable Snap to Grid (while in another edit mode):.

Enable or Disable Pre/Post-Roll Time:.

Now we’ll dive into more complex keyboard shortcuts that will allow you to access a wide range of features and tools. These single key commands are often called “hotkeys” and are typically assigned due to their frequency of use.

Trim Selected Clip Start to Cursor: Key.

*Note: These are all based on the standard qwerty keyboard There are lots of different shortcut combinations that work with Pro Tools, but first, let’s start with the basics: Make sure to save this for future reference! We’ve compiled this handy Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts guide so that you can speed up your editing and recording sessions so you can work smarter, not harder. Soon you'll see your entire session fly by and be hitting 'export' in no time. From creating new tracks to fine-tuning the tiniest waveform blip in a dialog track, there's a shortcut for nearly everything. When used correctly, they become almost a sort of dance that your fingers do as you edit, allowing you to sink into that ever-elusive “flow state” during your editing and recording sessions.

Shortcuts save time because they allow you to access tools and features right from your keyboard without having to click through lengthy menus or leave your workspace. If you’re an editor who works on Avid Pro Tools, shortcuts should become a key part of your workflow, allowing you to work faster and more efficiently. Speed, however, is a much easier skill to master, and largely comes down to how well you know your tools. Making mistakes costs time as well, so learning how to make precise, error-free edits and modifications is a skill that many sound editors will spend their entire career honing. The longer it takes to complete a project, the less projects you complete.

Being a successful professional audio editor or producer requires both precision and speed.

Avid media composer shortcuts