Concept: Notes = Clips at a Deeper Level
The same modifier hierarchy applies:
| Modifier | Timeline (Clips) | Piano Roll (Notes) |
|---|
| (none) | Navigate clips | Navigate notes |
| ⇧ | Multi-select clips | Multi-select notes |
| ⌘⌃ | Move clips | Move notes |
Note Navigation
Horizontal (←/→)
| Modifier | Action |
|---|
| (none) | Select next/previous note (by start time) |
| ⇧ | Add note to selection |
| ⌘⌃ | Move note(s) (1 grid division) |
Vertical (↑/↓)
| Modifier | Action |
|---|
| (none) | Select note with higher/lower pitch |
| ⇧ | Add note to selection |
| ⌘⌃ | Transpose note(s) (1 semitone) |
Note Editing
Keyboard
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|
| Delete Notes | ⌫ |
| Duplicate Notes | ⌘D |
| Select All Notes | ⌘A |
| Copy | ⌘C |
| Paste (at playhead) | ⌘V |
| Cut | ⌘X |
| Exit Piano Roll | Escape |
Mouse
| Action | Result |
|---|
| Click on note | Select note |
| ⇧+Click on note | Add/remove from selection |
| Double-click on note | Delete note |
| Right-click on note | Delete note |
| Right-click + drag | Eraser (delete multiple) |
| Drag note | Move note (with grid snap) |
| Drag note edge | Change duration |
Creating Notes
| Action | Modifier | Result |
|---|
| Click on empty area | (none) | Set cursor, start marquee |
| Drag on empty area | (none) | Create marquee selection |
| Click on empty area | ⌘ | Create new note |
| Drag on empty area | ⌘ | Create note + set duration |
Brush ModeHold ⌘ to enter brush mode. A ghost note appears under your cursor showing where the note will be placed. Click to create, or drag to set the note’s duration.
Musical Typing
When a MIDI or Instrument track is focused, letter keys play notes without any modifier. The layout is scale-based:
Upper row (+1 octave): Q W [E] R T Y U I O P [ ]
Middle row (base): A S [D] F G H J K L ; '
Lower row (-1 octave): Z X [C] V B N M ,
↑
Root aligned vertically
Key Points
- Three rows = 3 octaves relative to the base octave
- Root notes are vertically aligned: C (bottom), D (middle), E (top)
- Each key plays a scale degree of the selected scale
- No black/white key distinction — only notes in the current scale are played
Octave Selection
Press 1–7 to directly select base octave 1–7.
Configuration
Set Key, Scale, and Octave in the Transport Bar:
- Key: Root note (C, C#, D, … B)
- Scale: Scale type (Major, Minor, Pentatonic, etc.)
- Octave: Base octave (1–7)
Musical typing is automatically disabled during text input (renaming, search, etc.) and works across keyboard layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY).
