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A macro lets you string together multiple keyboard shortcuts into a single keyboard shortcut. For example, suppose you often quantize to 1/16th notes, with 50% strength, and like to add a swing factor of 52%. You can set up a macro so that after selecting your data, you do a single keyboard command and voilà—all three editing operations occur. Keyboard Maestro is probably the most common macro creator for the Mac, while AutoHotKey owns that distinction for Windows. However, you may not need a third-party program; some recording software (e.g., Cubase and PreSonus Studio One) let you create macros within the program.
Keyboard shortcuts save a lot of time, but creating some macros for your most-used repetitive operations will save you even more time.
Here are links to an article on how to create Macros in Cubase .
About the author
Over his career, Anderton has toured and recorded with the group Mandrake, wrote the seminal books Electronic Projects for Musicians and Home Recording for Musicians, foretold the rise of electronic dance music back in 1981, consulted for dozens of companies, and lectured on technology and the arts in 38 states, 10 countries, and in three languages.
Anderton created a mechanically programmable drum machine in 1970, invented multiband distortion, started the first media-rich website devoted exclusively to musicians in 1995 on AOL, and co-founded Electronic Musician magazine. He is currently working on a book series, "The Musician's Guide to Home Recording," for Hal Leonard..