<scripttype=text/javascript>varbaseurl="https://prokoudine.github.io/ardour-tutorial/en"</script><scripttype=text/javascriptsrc=/ardour-tutorial/js/search.js?1650589060></script></div><sectionid=homelinks><ul><li><aclass=paddinghref=/ardour-tutorial/en/><iclass="fas fa-home"></i> Home</a></li></ul></section><divclass=highlightable><ulclass=topics><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/title=Introductionclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/><b>1. </b>Introduction</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/conventions/title=Conventionsclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/conventions/>Conventions</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/what-is-digital-audio/title="What is digital audio?"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/what-is-digital-audio/>What is digital audio?</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/title="Getting started"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/><b>2. </b>Getting started</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/starting-ardour-on-ubuntu/title="Starting Ardour"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/starting-ardour-on-ubuntu/>Starting Ardour</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/title="Overview of the Interface"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/>Overview of the Interface</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/editor-window/title="Editor window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/editor-window/>Editor window</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/mixer-window/title="Mixer window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/mixer-window/>Mixer window</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/recorder-window/title="Recorder window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/recorder-window/>Recorder window</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/cue-window/title="Cue window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/cue-window/>Cue window</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/creating-tracks-and-busses/title="Creating tracks and busses"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/creating-tracks-and-busses/>Creating tracks and busses</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/importing-audio/title="Importing audio"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/importing-audio/>Importing audio</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/setting-up-the-timeline/title="Setting up the timeline"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/setting-up-the-timeline/>Setting up the timeline</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/title=Recordingclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/><b>3. </b>Recording</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/recording-audio/title="Recording audio"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/recording-audio/>Recording audio</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/understanding-routing/title="Understanding routing"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/understanding-routing/>Understanding routing</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/routing-between-applications/title="Routing between applications"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/routing-between-applications/>Routing between applications</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/title="Editing sessions"class="dd-item
parent"><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/><b>4. </b>Editing sessions</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/non-destructive-editing/title="Non-destructive editing"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/non-destructive-editing/>Non-destructive editing</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/arranging-tracks/title="Arranging tracks"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/arranging-tracks/>Arranging tracks</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/setting-up-time-signature/title="Setting up time signature"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/setting-up-time-signature/>Setting up time signature</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/using-ranges/title="Using ranges"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/using-ranges/>Using ranges</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/working-with-regions/title="Working with regions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/working-with-regions/>Working with regions</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/further-region-operations/title="Further region operations"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/further-region-operations/>Further region operations</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/changing-edit-modes/title="Changing edit modes"class="dd-item active"><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/changing-edit-modes/>Changing edit modes</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/creating-looped-sections/title="Creating looped sections"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/creating-looped-sections/>Creating looped sections</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/stretching-shrinking-regions/title="Stretching & shrinking regions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/stretching-shrinking-regions/>Stretching & shrinking regions</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/title="Mixing sessions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/><b>5. </b>Mixing sessions</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/the-mixer-strip/title="The mixer strip"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/the-mixer-strip/>The mixer strip</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/mixing-levels/title="Mixing levels"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/mixing-levels/>Mixing levels</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/panning/title=Panningclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/panning/>Panning</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-plugins/title="Using plugins"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-plugins/>Using plugins</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-sends/title="Using sends"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-sends/>Using sends</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/dynamics/title=Dynamicsclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/dynamics/>Dynamics</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/equalizing/title=Equalizingclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/equalizing/>Equalizing</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-automation/title="Using automation"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-automation/>Using automation</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/title="Exporting sessions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/><b>6. </b>Exporting sessions</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-session/title="Exporting sessions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-session/>Exporting sessions</a></li><lidata-nav-id=
<spanclass=links><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/>Home</a> > <ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/>Editing sessions</a> > Changing edit modes</span></div><divclass=progress><divclass=wrapper><navid=TableOfContents><ul><li><ahref=#edit-modes>Edit Modes</a></li><li><ahref=#cursor-modes>Cursor Modes</a><ul><li><ahref=#grab-mode>Grab Mode</a></li><li><ahref=#range-mode>Range Mode</a></li><li><ahref=#cut-mode>Cut Mode</a></li><li><ahref=#audition-mode>Audition Mode</a></li><li><ahref=#stretchshrink-region>Stretch/Shrink Region</a></li><li><ahref=#draw-mode>Draw Mode</a></li><li><ahref=#internal-edit-mode>Internal Edit Mode</a></li></ul></li><li><ahref=#continuing>Continuing</a></li></ul></nav></div></div></div></div><divid=head-tags></div><divid=body-inner><h1>Changing edit modes</h1><p>We have already learned a bit about the Grab Mode (select/move objects) and
Range Mode. In this chapter we will get an overview of all the <strong>Edit Modes</strong>
and <strong>cursor modes</strong> available on that part of the Editor Window.</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour6_Edit_Modes_Cursor_Modes.pngalt="Ardour Edit Modes"></p><h2id=edit-modes>Edit Modes</h2><p>These controls define the behavior of the main canvas and the different
functions of the cursor.</p><p>The drop-down <em>Edit Mode</em> menu contains three options:</p><dl><dt><strong>Slide mode</strong></dt><dd>This is the standard mode. It allows you to freely drag regions around
horizontally (within the same track) and vertically (between tracks).</dd><dt><strong>Ripple mode</strong></dt><dd>Automatically moves regions when you cut or shift one of the regions. E.g. if
you cut a portion of an audio interview that isn’t interesting, Ardour will
shift all regions in all tracks to the left so that there would be no silence
where content used to be.</dd><dt><strong>Lock mode</strong></dt><dd>However you edit a region with this mode on, the content of the region will
always be where it is. You can only move the region up or down between tracks,
but not left or right.</dd></dl><p>We will only use the <em>Slide</em> edit mode in this tutorial.</p><h2id=cursor-modes>Cursor Modes</h2><h3id=grab-mode>Grab Mode</h3><p><imgsrc=en/ardour7-grab-edit-mode.pngalt=G></p><p>This cursor mode (<strong>G</strong> shortcut) allows you to select or move objects such as
regions and breakpoints (in an automation curve). When this cursor mode is
selected, your cursor pointer will look like a little hand icon.</p><h3id=range-mode>Range Mode</h3><p><imgsrc=en/ardour7-range-edit-mode.pngalt=R></p><p>This cursor mode (<strong>R</strong> shortcut) allows you to click and drag to define or
resize time ranges. When this cursor mode is selected, your cursor pointer will
look like a vertical line. Time ranges can be selected over one or several
tracks, depending on the selection of your tracks.</p><h3id=cut-mode>Cut Mode</h3><p><imgsrc=en/ardour7-cut-edit-mode.pngalt=C></p><p>Use this cursor mode (<strong>C</strong> shortcut) to split regions into smaller regions. The
cursor turns into the shape of scissors. This allows you to point and click on a
region to split it at the cursor.</p><divclass="notices tip"><p>You can cut regions directly from the <em>Grab</em> mode too (sometimes this method can
be more practical.) Without leaving the <em>Grab</em> mode, simply place the mouse at
the desired location on the region to be cut, and hit the <strong>S</strong> shortcut (for
“split”). Important: your edit point (to the left of the <em>Modes</em> toolbar) must
be set to <em>Mouse</em>.</p></div><h3id=audition-mode>Audition Mode</h3><p><imgsrc=en/ardour7-audition-edit-mode.pngalt=Audition></p><p>This cursor mode allows you to click on any existing region on any track and
have it immediately played back. Playback stops at the end of the region. When
this cursor mode is selected, your cursor pointer will look like a small
loudspeaker icon.</p><divclass="notices tip"><p>You can also quickly audition a selected region without leaving the <em>Grab</em> mode.
Simply select a region and hit the shortcut key <strong>H</strong>.</p></div><h3id=stretchshrink-region>Stretch/Shrink Region</h3><p><imgsrc=en/ardour7-stretch-shrink-edit-mode.pngalt=T></p><p>This cursor mode (<strong>T</strong> shortcut) allows you to drag and resize the duration of
an entire region without changing the pitch. This is sometimes called “time
stretching’, hence the <strong>T</strong> shortcut. Please see the chapter on
<em>Stretching/Shrinking Regions</em> for more details. When this cursor mode is
selected, your cursor pointer will look like a diagonal arrow.</p><h3id=draw-mode>Draw Mode</h3><p><imgsrc=en/ardour7-draw-edit-mode.pngalt=D></p><p>This mode (<strong>D</strong> shortcut) has 4 use cases:</p><ol><li>Drawing new automation points (automation will be discussed in detail in the
chapter <ahref=../../mixing-sessions/using-automation/>Using Automation</a>).</li><li>Drawing new MIDI regions.</li><li>Drawing new MIDI notes in MIDI regions.</li><li>Editing existing MIDI notes and automation points when a region is
sufficiently zoomed in.</li></ol><p>If you haven’t zoomed in enough, it’s easy to create either a new MIDI note or a
new automation point you did not need. If this becomes a problem, you should use
the next mode which only allows for editing existing points and notes, not
creating new ones.</p><p>For drawing MIDI notes, the toolbar additionally has controls for default note
length, MIDI channel, and velocity.</p><h3id=internal-edit-mode>Internal Edit Mode</h3><p><imgsrc=en/ardour7-internal-edit-mode.pngalt=E></p><p>Use this mode (<strong>E</strong> shortcut) to edit existing automation points or MIDI notes.</p><p>For automation points, the cursor looks like a hand and turns into a small cross
when you are on top of an existing point. Click, hold, and drag in order to move
points.</p><p>For MIDI notes, the cursor looks like a hand with a quarter note above it when
you hover the middle of note, that’s for selecting a note and moving it around.
Hovering either the left or the right border of a note will change the cursor
and allow adjusting start/end position (and thus duration) of a note.</p><p>For both automation points and MIDI notes, you can press <strong>Ctrl</strong> and click on
multiple items to add them to a selection of items, then move multiple notes or
points altogether.</p><figure><imgsrc=en/ardour7-internal-edit-mode-multiple-points.pngalt="Moving multiple automation points"></figure><p>For MIDI notes specifically, you can also use rubberband selection: place the
cursor anywhere outside existing notes (the cursor will lose the quarter note
symbol), then press left mouse button and start dragging. A selection frame will
appear. All notes it touches will be selected.</p><figure><imgsrc=en/ardour7-internal-edit-mode-rubberband-selection.pngalt="Rubberband selection of notes"></figure><h2id=continuing>Continuing</h2><p>In the following chapter, we will see how to take the regions we have
edited and create looped sections from them.</p><p>Next: <ahref=../creating-looped-sections>Creating looped sections</a></p><footerclass=footline></footer></div></div><divid=navigation></div></section><divstyle=left:-1000px;overflow:scroll;position:absolute;top:-1000px;border:none;box-sizing:content-box;height:200px;margin:0;padding:0;width:200px><divstyle=border:none;box-sizing:content-box;height:200px;margin:0;padding:0;width:200px></div></div><scriptsrc=/ardour-tutorial/js/clipboard.min.js?1650589060></script>