Keyboard Shortcuts¶
The [Keyboard Shortcuts]{.kbd .window} dialog allows easily redefining existing keyboard shortcuts to operations and creating new ones.
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A thematic list of the default keyboard shortcuts in Ardour can be found in the Appendix, but the [Print Bindings (to your web browser)]{.kbd} button show an up-to-date list of the current keyboard bindings, with customization, nicely laid out by theme and alphabetical.
Contexts and Subcontexts {#contexts-subcontexts}¶
The important concept to understand here is that the same shortcut can be used for different operations in different contexts. E.g. in the [Editor]{.dfn} context, the [T]{.kbd} key switches on the [Stretch]{.dfn} mode to time-stretch clips on the canvas. However, in the MIDI Step Entry context, [T]{.kbd} inserts an F-sharp note. The contexts are represented by tabs in this dialog, e.g. Editor, MIDI, Recorder, etc.
Inside every tab, features are grouped into [subcontexts]{.dfn} that can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the triangular-shaped button to the left of the name of each subcontext. E.g. the ‘Snap’ subcontext lists all snapping units, while the ‘Region’ subcontext lists all actions accessible via the right-click menu.
The [Search]{.dfn} function at the bottom of the dialog works within the currently selected context/tab only. If a search returned zero results, switching to a different context is a viable solution to locating the action of interest.
Setting New Shortcuts {#setting-new}¶
Once an action of interest is located in the list, all it takes to set a keybinding to it is selecting the action in the list, then pressing the sequence of keys. The newly defined keybinding will immediately show up in the [Shortcut]{.dfn} column.
Redefining Existing Shortcuts {#redefining-existing}¶
An existing shortcut to an action can easily be replaced with a different one by selecting the action and pressing a new sequence of keys. The newly defined keybinding will immediately show up in the [Shortcut]{.dfn} column.
Handling Collisions¶
Once a keybinding is assigned to an action, that keybinding is considered taken. Attempting to assign that same keybinding to a different action will result in a collision. Ardour will notify the user that the keybinding is already taken (and by what action) and will ask to either reconsider or force-set the keybinding to a new action.
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Force-setting the keybinding of choice to a new action will remove the keybinding from the action it was previously assigned to. A new keybinding then can be assigned to that action.
Removing Existing Shortcuts {#removing-existing}¶
In some cases it is desirable to remove a shortcuts entirely. Selecting an action of interest, then pressing the [Remove shortcut]{.kbd} button at the bottom of the dialog will do just that. The keybinding will immediately disappear from the [Shortcut]{.dfn} column.
Reverting to Factory Settings {#reverting-to-defaults}¶
If applied customizations to default keyboard shortcuts didn’t work out, it’s possible to revert to “factory settings”. Clicking [Reset Bindings to Defaults]{.kbd} will remove all customizations and bring back default keybindings. Important: Ardour will not ask for a confirmation!
Using Search Prefixes¶
The [Search]{.dfn} function supports the following prefixes:
[“k:”]{.dfn} search by shortcut name
[“p:”]{.dfn} search by action path (as displayed when hovering a shortcut in the list)