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DP Corner - Shortcuts
Having started DP Corner with two installments on project templates you may wonder why I chose adminstrivia instead of something more…..creative. While the administrative side of recording can be boring, time-consuming, and frustrating, preparation and firm understanding of administrative tasks can ensure your creative time is not bogged down by that boredom, time-consumption, and frustration.
One of the most important elements of any DAW is its set of shortcuts. No matter what you call them, "shortcuts", "key commands", "key bindings" or "hot keys", they exist with for a single purpose…less hunting and menu diving and more creating.
I have to admit that, despite the time I spend on DP, I have not taken full advantage of its extensive shortcuts. I refuse to believe it’s because I'm lazy so I’ll hang my hat on the fact that there are just too many. With each new version, DP’s set of key commands has expanded to the point that it now covers just about every feature that can be triggered with a single combination of key strokes. And because there are oodles of reviews, articles, and forums that list the essential, the interesting, and even the rare commands in DP’s arsenal, I decided to take a different stab at the topic.
Use of shortcuts is a very personal choice, and no one works the same, so rather than wasting space with a huge list of key commands that you may not even care about, I will hit on some issues, warnings, tips, and shortcut options that will hopefully coax you (and myself) into actually diving into what could possibly be the best administrative time spent with DP.
What the?
Let’s recap some of the basics when using key commands.
Even if you are an experienced Mac user, the symbols used in key bindings can still be confusing. Working with shortcuts you will need to get very comfortable with these:
The "fn" function key on Mac laptops cannot be used in creating key bindings, but it may be necessary to use in certain commands that require use of other functions that are only accessible on a laptop when the “fn” key is pressed.
When you make changes to your default DP key bindings they are saved in an Excel file at: user > home folder > Library > Preferences > Digital Performer > Command Bindings.
Take Command
If you haven't already visited the Command window under the Setup menu (or Shift – L) please go there now and peruse for a while. Using either key bindings or MIDI events you can trigger nearly any DP function. While MIDI events are assigned in different ways, the Command window is the holy grail of keyboard shortcuts and it lists every single key command that has been programmed into DP.
Once you've been through the list, my first recommendation is to collapse any of the sub-groups that don't apply to how you use DP (e.g. QuickScribe, MIDI Effects Plug-ins, whatever), print the entire list, and keep it right next to you at all times. Granted, the Command window has a search feature but I have found it very helpful to take the time to go through every key command, determine whether I might use it, and highlight it. As recommended by many other users I keep mine in a binder and have attached small tabs to each page with an indication of the groupings that are covered on each page. When I assign custom key bindings I note them in my binder until I decide to reprint.
If you use the Consolidated windows view, another cool way to keep your brain working towards remembering all of your favorite key bindings is to select the Command window in one of your right or left mini-windows. Each time you do something for which you wish you knew the shortcut, do a quick search. You’ll be surprised how quickly you learn all of your favorites.
Reading lists of key bindings is rarely helpful. So another time-worthy endeavor is to open a test project that already has some audio and MIDI recorded and run through every command you’ve highlighted in your binder, actually hitting the associated key bindings. Once your fingers have actually hit the keys and your brain processes the result your memory begins to take form and you become far more likely to carry it with you into future projects.
If you're the type that only uses certain windows or features periodically and for specific projects, it may also be helpful to create a shortcuts list for each such project and file it in your binder or in your project folder. This makes it easy to revisit each time you come back to that project.
Avoiding Pitfalls
Before getting into customized shortcuts there are a few potential headaches that can be avoided if you keep them in mind when assigning new key bindings.
I highly recommend that once you've created custom key bindings save them right away using the Export feature in the Commands window mini menu. Just like preferences with nearly any other app, DP will not actually save your new key bindings until you quit the application. If your system crashes before you have the opportunity to properly quit, they are gone.
As you probably know, OS X has its own system shortcuts and perhaps you've created your own. Some may be assigned to key bindings that you want to use for DP shortcuts. To avoid conflicts between the two and the potential problems it can create, when I am working on assigning custom key bindings I like to open the System Preferences (in the Applications folder), click on "Keyboard & Mouse" and then on the "Keyboard Shortcuts" tab. When I pick a key binding for use in DP I first look through the system shortcuts for that combo. I also like to look through the system shortcuts periodically to see whether any key bindings have another action assigned to them (indicated by a yellow caution sign next to the command) or that have been turned off. If there are conflicts it's wise to re-assign one or the other.
The most helpful system command is Ctrl – F1 that turns the OS X shortcuts on and off whenever you are using DP.
Though few of us are likely to run into this problem, if you sit down at someone else's system and you're finding some common shortcuts are not working properly, verify that the language for the keyboard is set to the language you typically use (System Preferences, “International”, “Language”).
When assigning custom key bindings, be careful when using single-key assignments without the user of a modifier key like Command, Option, Shift, or Control. Without a modifier you may later think you’re typing a track name and accidentally trigger eight actions without even seeing what you did.
Roll Your Own
So now you've been through the list and engrained as many into memory as possible. Despite its length you shouldn't assume that the default key command set covers everything you do under normal project use. I bet you periodically do something and wonder whether there is a shortcut for it. There are many sources out there for you in such cases. The obvious is either looking through your print out or doing a search in the Command window. Before doing either, be sure that you’re thinking in DP terms. If that doesn’t work, I highly recommend utilizing the DP forums at unicornation.com and bigbluelounge.com. While Unicornation is dedicated to MOTU products, the Big Blue Lounge also has a wonderful DP community. They both have a myriad of DP experts, administrators, and users that often recommend or discuss DP shortcuts. When searching, be sure to try all of the shortcut synonyms I listed above. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, set-up a free account and post a new forum thread with your question or issue. It's very likely you will get a helpful response.
When you start customizing the key commands in the Commands window with your own key bindings or MIDI events just click in the appropriate column next to the command description and either hit your key combination or your MIDI trigger.
When searching in the Commands window you can only search for command descriptions not the actual key binding. However, if you do try to assign a key binding that is already assigned to another command, DP will tell you and give you the option to accept or cancel your assignment.
For you laptop users consider setting up your own list of commands that are unique to laptop use considering you don't have all the keys of a standard keyboard.
Are You a Switcher?
More often these days I read about musicians switching from other DAWs to DP. Typically such a huge switch is accompanied by a number of frustrations resulting from the "little things" that they miss from their old DAW. One place that DP tries to ease the shock is by allowing for the import of pre-built command sets for Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase and Studio Vision Pro. Where MOTU used to provide the third-party bindings on the DP installation disks, they have not been included for the last few updates. I inquired with MOTU and in response they have now posted the four command sets to the Downloads section at motu.com. Do not expect the layouts to cover everything you’re used to, but, if you begin with the layout from your old environment, and try to remain patient as you streamline your workflow, pretty soon you’ll be right at home with DP.
Other Shortcut Options
Saving time with shortcuts in DP is not all about the Command window and its key commands. Here are just a few other ideas that may help you out.
QuicKeys
Tired of not having that one super-cool shortcut from ProTools? Wishing you could create an Automator like macro for DP and your other audio apps? Well, QuicKeys could be your savior. Probably the finest and best-known productivity tool for any Mac application, QuicKeys provides similar key binding triggering but then goes miles further. Useable with any app, QuicKeys allows you to set-up macros that will record mouse motion and button clicks, manage files, open apps, and even conducts multi-step shortcuts (i.e., one is assigned to Shift – Z and the other to Shift – B, you then hit Shift, Z, B in sequence to trigger both). The macro feature is a huge time saver if you often conduct a series of similar actions that it can memorize and will even trigger you for input if so needed while it’s running the sequence of events. Some examples would be bouncing to disk, burning a CD, changing hardware settings, inserting complex track combinations, switching Mixer layouts, or whatever you can dream up. The possibilities are endless, but when creating QuicKeys assignments, keep in mind the DP and the OS X key bindings you’ve already created.
Expose
Even as the price of monitors declines, the availability of plug-ins and the real estate they consume is ever growing. Managing your windows in DP (especially when you don’t use Consolidated view) can be made easier by OS X with its built in feature, Expose. When activated Expose changes your view to show small versions of all active windows. The F9 key is the default to activate Expose or, if you prefer, you can use a mouse-based method called “hot corners”. This feature allows you to move your cursor far into one of the screen’s corners to activate Expose. To set it up, open System Preferences, select “Dashboard & Expose”, click on the drop-down for the corner you want to use and select “All Windows”. All of your open windows, including plug-ins, consolidated and un-consolidated DP windows, and all other open apps will become visible for quick selection.
Clippings Window
I could probably spend a whole installment just on the Clippings Window, but here is one of the coolest little extras DP has to offer. First, you can open a Clippings Window in three varieties, for all of DP (meaning it is available in any project), for a Project, or for Startup. Regardless of which one you pick you can drag and drop just about anything you can think of into this mini window for access later. And not just DP stuff. It can be anything from your desktop. Some of the cool shortcuts that work well as a clipping would be preset combos of instrument and MIDI tracks; VIs with specific settings; any kind of track data from any kind of track that you want to move around various sequences; a grouping of plug-ins from your Mixing Board; or even entire chunks, songs, or sequences. Lyrics docs, movie files, and other files related to your project can also be added as a clipping by dragging it into the Clipping window with later access being as easy as dragging it out.
V-Racks
If you use a lot of the same VIs in many of our projects, set them up in a V-Rack, load up the sound(s) that you probably use most, and then disable them. Then when you need them it’s a simple matter of enabling them rather than having to go through the add process every time. Remember though that a change you make to a VI in a V-Rack will be changed for other uses of that V-Rack in other projects.
My Faves
Alright, I can’t cover shortcuts without listing at least a couple that still make me grin every time I use them.
Shift – Option – Command – I: Opens the “Add Instrument Track” box, you pick your instrument, select your MIDI track options, and, voila, a new instrument track with a MIDI track (or tracks) pre-assigned to it. Very quick.
Ever want to move multiple tracks at once in Track Overview? Select your tracks and then use Ctrl – Page Up or Page Down (Fn – Ctrl – Page Up or Down for laptop users) to move them all around the track list together. Similarly, use Ctrl – Home or Ctrl – End (also holding Fn on a laptop) to move your selected tracks to the top or bottom of the track list.
How Short are Your Cuts?
Considering the extensive possibilities of shortcuts I am certain that most of you have some great tips that all of us could use. So let’s hear ‘em! Send an email to timr@audioMIDI.com with anything that you’ve done to save time in DP and they will automatically be added to the DP Corner forum.
If you have a Digital Performer related question that you would like me to take a shot at answering or have any feedback, please send it to timr@audioMIDI.com. I will do my best to select the questions that seem to stump the most people.
As always, stay tuned to the audioMIDI.com eNews for the latest reviews and new product info.
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