Key Commands

About the Key Commands chapter

This chapter contains compiled lists of all keyboard shortcuts and modifier keys available in Reason Essentials 8 - and in all Reason Essentials 8 devices. Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that can be pressed to execute various functions. Modifier keys are keys that can be used in combination with the mouse, to execute additional functions.

In most cases, which key to use is different on Mac OS X and Windows. The keys to use are listed in the right column of the tables below, with the Mac key(s) to the left and the Windows key(s) to the right of the slash, i.e. [Mac key(s)]/[Windows key(s)].

General keyboard shortcuts

Function	Key(s)
Maximize/restore Main Mixer	[F5]
Maximize/restore Rack	[F6]
Maximize/restore Sequencer	[F7]
Maximize Main Mixer and Rack in one window	[F5]+[F6]
Maximize Main Mixer and Sequencer in one window	[F5]+[F7]
Maximize Rack and Sequencer in one window	[F6]+[F7]
Detach/Attach Main Mixer	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[F5]
Detach/Attach Rack	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[F6]
View All in one window	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[F7] or [F5]+[F6]+[F7]
Show/hide Browser	[F3]
Show/hide On-screen Piano Keys window	[F4]
Show/hide Tool window	[F8]
Toggle Rack front/rear	[Tab]
Create new Song	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[N]
Open Song	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[O]
Save Song	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[S]
Save Song As	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+[S]
Close active detached Rack or Mixer window	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[W]
Close Song (if the window containing the Sequencer is active)	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[W]
Import Audio File	[Command]+[Option]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+[I]
Quit (Mac OS X only)	[Command]+[Q]
Exit (Windows only)	[Alt]+[F4]
Undo	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[Z]
Redo	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[Y]
Delete Devices and Tracks	[Del] or [Backspace]
Delete Devices and Tracks (without warning).	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[Del] or [Command]/[Ctrl]+[Backspace]
Duplicate Devices and tracks, or selected clip(s), or selected comp row(s) in open audio clips, or selected note(s) in note clips, or selected automation point(s) in automation clips.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[D]
Select All	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[A]
Create Audio Track	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[T]
Create Instrument	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[I]
Create Instrument (Windows only)	[Insert]
Create Effect	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[F]
Browse Patches for selected device.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[B]
Toggle the “Reduce Cable Clutter” option	[K]
Toggle the “Auto-group Devices and Tracks” option	[Command]+[Shift]/[Ctrl]+[Shift]+[G]
Toggle the “Follow Song” option	[F]
Toggle the “Keep Events in Clip While Editing” option	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+[K]
Hide Reason Essentials (Mac OS X only)	[Command]+[H]
Minimize Reason Essentials (Mac OS X only)	[Command]+[M]
Open Preferences (Mac OS X only)	[Command]+[,]
Cut Track & Device (track selected in Track List), Cut Clip or Event (depending on current selection).	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[X]
Copy Track & Device (track selected in Track List), Copy Clip or Event (depending on current selection).	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[C]
Paste Track & Device, Paste Clip or Event.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[V]
Open Help	[Command]+[?]/[F1]
Switch to one of the 10 corresponding global Remote variations (or "keyboard shortcut variations").	[Command]+[Option]/[Ctrl]+[Alt]+[1]...[0]

General modifier keys

Function	Key/Action
Duplicate (copy) the selected item and its corresponding components.	[Option]/[Ctrl]+drag and drop device/track/mixer channel
Disable auto-routing of device.	[Shift]+Create device
Fold/unfold all devices.	[Option]/[Alt]+Fold/unfold device
Fold/unfold all tracks.	[Option]/[Alt]+Fold/unfold track
Select multiple devices/tracks/channels	[Command]/[Ctrl]+Select
Select range of multiple devices/tracks/channels	[Shift]+Select
Select multiple clips/events in the Sequencer	[Shift]/[Ctrl]+Select (Windows only: [Shift]+Select to select a range of clips/events in the Sequencer)
Increase precision when making settings.	[Shift]+Move fader/knob
Reset parameter to default value.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+Click fader/knob
Prevent creation of Sequencer-track for devices that normally will get a track. Create Sequencer-track for devices that normally will not get a track.	[Option]/[Alt]+Create device
Create a parameter automation lane for the parameter.	[Option]/[Alt]+Click device fader/knob/button

Transport keyboard shortcuts

Function	Key(s)
Play	Numeric keypad [Enter]
Stop, Go to start position, Go to start of Song.	[Shift]+[Return] or numeric keypad [0]
Go to start of Song	[,]/[.] on numeric keypad
Toggle Stop/Play	[Spacebar]
Record	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[Return] or numeric keypad [*]
Rewind	Numeric keypad [4]
Fast Forward	Numeric keypad [5]
Go to Loop Start	[Option]/[Alt] and left arrow key. Numeric keypad [1]
Go to Loop End	[Option]/[Alt] and right arrow key. Numeric keypad [2]
Move forward one Bar	Numeric keypad [8]
Go back one Bar	Numeric keypad [7]
Tempo Up	Numeric keypad [+]
Tempo Down	Numeric keypad [-]
Set the Left and Right Loop Locators to encompass selected clips and start playback in Loop Mode.	[P]

Sequencer keyboard shortcuts

Function	Key(s)
Toggle Arrange/Edit view.	[Shift]+[Tab] or [Command]/[Ctrl]+[E]
Select Arrow tool.	[Q]
Select Pencil tool.	[W]
Select Eraser tool.	[E]
Select Razor tool.	[R]
Select Mute tool	[T]
Select Magnifying Glass tool.	[Y]
Select Hand tool.	[U]
Open selected clip for editing	[Return]
Close open clip	[Return] or [Esc]
Quantize	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[K]
Duplicate Track & Device (device or track selected).	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[D]
Join selected Clips on the same lane.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[J]
Merge Note Lanes om Tracks.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[R]
Mute/Unmute selected Clips.	[M]
Snap on/off.	[S]
Toggle Metronome click on/off	[C] or numeric keypad [9]
Toggle Metronome Pre-count on/off	[Command]/[Ctrl] and [P]
New Dub	[,] or numeric keypad [3]
New Alt	[.] or numeric keypad [6]
Loop on/off	[L] or numeric keypad [/]
Set Loop Locators to encompass all selected clips	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[L]
Set the Left and Right Loop Locators to encompass selected clips and start playback in Loop Mode.	[P]
Move Loop range one bar to the left	[Option]/[Alt]+[Shift] and up arrow key
Move Loop range one bar to the right	[Option]/[Alt]+[Shift] and down arrow key
Move current Loop range one loop length to the left.	[Option]/[Alt] and arrow up key.
Move current Loop range one loop length to the right.	[Option]/[Alt] and arrow down key.
Horizontal zoom in	[H] or [Command]/[Ctrl]+[+]
Horizontal zoom out	[G] or [Command]/[Ctrl]+[–]
Vertical zoom in	[Command]+[Option]/[Ctrl]+[Alt]+[+]
Vertical zoom out	[Command]+[Option]/[Ctrl]+[Alt]+[–]
Zoom To Selection/Show All (e.g. selected clips)	[Z]
Follow Song on/off (auto-scrolling Arrange/Edit pane)	[F]

Sequencer keyboard shortcuts in Audio Edit Mode

Function	Key/Action
Select Speaker tool	[I]
Change Comp Row assignment in the segment with focus in Comp Mode	[Command]+[Option]+[Shift]/[Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Shift] and up/down arrow keys
Change segment focus in Comp Mode	[Command]+[Option]+[Shift]/[Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Shift] and left/right arrow keys

Sequencer modifier keys

Function	Key/Action
Select alternate tool in Toolbar	[Command]/[Alt]
Toggle Pencil/Line tool (velocity edit lane only).	[Option]/[Ctrl]
Edit velocity of selected notes only	[Shift]+click/draw with Pencil tool on Velocity lane
Create automation lane for parameter. If device has no track, a track will also be created.	[Option]/[Alt]+Click knob/fader/button
Restrict movement direction to either horizontal or vertical.	[Shift]+Move events/clips
Zoom in/out horizontally on the Edit/Arrange pane.	[Shift]+Drag any of the Song Navigator handles sideways
Zoom in/out horizontally on the Edit/Arrange pane. (Drag sideways to scroll horizontally at the same time)	[Shift]+Drag up/down in Song Navigator frame
Copy data instead of moving it.	[Option]/[Ctrl]+Move data
Set Left Locator in ruler.	[Option]/[Ctrl]+Click
Set Right Locator in ruler.	[Command]/[Alt]+Click
Set End Marker in ruler.	[Shift]+Click
Switch to zoom out with the Magnifying Glass tool instead of zoom in (with either the Magnifying Glass- or the Hand tool selected).	[Option]/[Ctrl]+Click
Limit movement to one direction only. Horizontal or vertical.	[Shift]+Drag with Hand tool or Eraser tool
Disable vertical zooming. Horizontal zoom only.	[Shift]+Zoom with ­Magnifying Glass tool

Sequencer modifier keys with mouse wheel

Function	Key/Action
Scroll horizontally.	[Shift]+Mouse wheel
Zoom in/out vertically.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+Mouse wheel
Zoom in/out horizontally.	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+Mouse wheel

Sequencer modifier keys in Audio Edit Mode

Function	Key/Action
Switch from Arrow tool to Cut (Razor) tool on the comp rows in an open audio clip	[Command]/[Altl]
Switch from Arrow tool to Speaker tool on the comp rows in an open audio clip	[Command]+[Shift]/[Alt]+[Shift]
Duplicate the Comp Row and create a new Cut or Segment in the duplicated Comp Row.	[Command]+[Option]/[Ctrl]+[Alt] and click or swipe on Comp Row

Arrow keys

Function	Key/Action
Select next device up or down (rack selected), select next track up or down (track list selected), select clip on next/previous lane (Arrange view selected).	Arrow up/down keys
Select next/previous clip on lane (Arrange view selected), select next/previous value field (Position displays).	Arrow left/right keys
Nudge selection one Snap unit back/forward in the sequencer.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+Arrow left/right keys
Nudge selection one Beat back/forward in the sequencer.	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+Arrow left/right keys
Nudge selection one Tick back/forward in the sequencer.	[Option]+[Command]/[Alt]+[Ctrl]+Arrow left/right keys
Transpose selected notes in Edit mode	[Command]/[Ctrl]+ up/down arrow keys

Save dialog keyboard shortcuts

These key commands can be used in the save dialog that appears if you close a song document that contains unsaved changes:

Function	Key(s)
Cancel	[Command]+[.]/[Esc]
Yes (save song)	[Return]/[Y]
No (do not save song)	[Command]+[D]/[N]

On-screen Piano Keys keyboard shortcuts

These keyboard shortcuts are valid only when the On-screen Piano Keys window is open and set to “Computer Keys” mode.

Function	Key(s)
Sustain	[Shift]
Octave Down	[Z]
Octave Up	[X]
Velocity value = 1	[1]
Velocity value = 14	[2]
Velocity value = 28	[3]
Velocity value = 42	[4]
Velocity value = 56	[5]
Velocity value = 70	[6]
Velocity value = 84	[7]
Velocity value = 98	[8]
Velocity value = 112	[9]
Velocity value = 127	[0]

NN-XT keyboard shortcuts

Function	Key(s)
Remove zone(s) from key map.	[Delete] or [Backspace]
Select All Zones	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[A]
Copy selected Zone(s)	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[C]
Paste currently copied Zone(s)	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[V]

NN-XT modifier keys

Function	Key/Action
Audition sample. In sample column, at root pitch and unprocessed. In keyboard column, at corresponding pitch and with processing applied.	[Option]/[Alt]+Click in sample column or keyboard column
Set root note of sample with edit focus.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+Click in keyboard column
Edit selected sample	[Option]/[Alt]+Click the Sample button

Dr. Octo Rex keyboard shortcuts

Function	Key(s)
Cut Loop.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[X]
Copy Loop.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[C]
Paste Loop.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[V]

Dr. Octo Rex modifier keys

Function	Key/Action
Audition slice.	[Option]/[Alt]+Click slice in overview
Reset slice(s) to default parameter value in Slice Edit Mode	[Command]/[Ctrl]+ click/click and drag in overview.

Redrum keyboard shortcuts

Function	Key(s)
Cut Pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[X]
Copy Pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[C]
Paste pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[V]
Shift Pattern Left.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[J]
Shift Pattern Right.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[K]
Randomize Pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[R]
Alter Pattern.	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+[P]

Redrum modifier keys

Function	Key/Action
Enter “Hard” note when programming Pattern.	[Shift]+Click Pattern Step button
Enter “Soft” note when programming Pattern.	[Option]/[Alt]+Click Pattern Step button
Edit selected sample	[Option]/[Alt]+Click a Sample button

Matrix keyboard shortcuts

Function	Key(s)
Cut Pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[X]
Copy Pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[C]
Paste Pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[V]
Shift Pattern Left.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[J]
Shift Pattern Right.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[K]
Shift Pattern Up.	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+[U]
Shift Pattern Down.	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+[D]
Randomize Pattern.	[Command]/[Ctrl]+[R]
Alter Pattern.	[Shift]+[Command]/[Shift]+[Ctrl]+[P]

Matrix modifier keys

Function	Key/Action
Allows you to draw lines and ramps.	[Shift]+Draw Key/Curve values
Temporarily toggle Tie mode on/off.	[Shift]+Draw Gate