Official source: For the most complete and current list, use the official Cubase reference: https://www.steinberg.help/r/cubase-pro/15.0/en/cubase_nuendo/topics/key_commands/key_commands_default_c.html. This page focuses on the shortcuts producers should learn first and expands them into a practical working reference.
Core shortcuts
SpaceStart/stop playback
Num *Start/stop record
Num 1Jump to left locator
Num /Cycle on/off
F2Transport panel
F3MixConsole
Alt/Opt + KOn-screen keyboard
G / HZoom out / zoom in
PSet locators to selection
Ctrl/Cmd + DDuplicate
Alt/Opt + dragDuplicate event
Delete/BackspaceDelete
Ctrl/Cmd + SSave
Ctrl/Cmd + ZUndo
EEdit channel settings
EnterOpen editor
SpaceStart/stop playback
Num *Start/stop record
Num 1Jump to left locator
Num /Cycle on/off
F2Transport panel
F3MixConsole
Alt/Opt + KOn-screen keyboard
G / HZoom out / zoom in
Shortcut table
| Shortcut | Action | Workflow area |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Start/stop playback | Transport and global commands |
| Num * | Start/stop record | Navigation and views |
| Num 1 | Jump to left locator | Editing and arrangement |
| Num / | Cycle on/off | Recording and workflow |
| F2 | Transport panel | Transport and global commands |
| F3 | MixConsole | Navigation and views |
| Alt/Opt + K | On-screen keyboard | Editing and arrangement |
| G / H | Zoom out / zoom in | Recording and workflow |
| P | Set locators to selection | Transport and global commands |
| Ctrl/Cmd + D | Duplicate | Navigation and views |
| Alt/Opt + drag | Duplicate event | Editing and arrangement |
| Delete/Backspace | Delete | Recording and workflow |
| Ctrl/Cmd + S | Save | Transport and global commands |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Z | Undo | Navigation and views |
| E | Edit channel settings | Editing and arrangement |
| Enter | Open editor | Recording and workflow |
How to learn them
Do not try to memorize every command at once. Learn shortcuts in batches that match the way you work. Start with transport and view switching, then editing, then arrangement, then recording and mix commands. The point is not keyboard trivia. The point is to keep ideas moving without reaching for menus every few seconds.
Spend one week forcing yourself to use only the shortcuts for play, stop, record, duplicate, split, save, undo, mixer/view switching and loop/cycle control. Once those are automatic, add the editing commands that match your DAW workflow. For Cubase, the most valuable shortcuts are the ones that let you move between Project window, Chord Track and MixConsole quickly.