Optimizing the Arrangement View Layout
Workspace begets workflow. A well-organized workspace in Ableton Live isn't just a convenience— it offers quick access to everything our process requires so we can be at our most creative and efficient. This guide focuses on some of the more subtle yet powerful shortcuts that can make navigating the Arrangement View quicker and more intuitive.
Optimize Width and Height
One of my very favorite sets of shortcuts I discovered recently are some of the simplest methods for navigating the Live set. Pressing W optimizes width (that is, zoom such that all clips in the Arrangement View fit within the screen horizontally) and pressing H optimizes height (resize all tracks to fit within the vertical limits of the Arrangement View, or at least as close as they can while unfolded).
You can rapidly jump to an overview of your full arrangement using the W and H shortcuts.
In order for these shortcuts to work, two conditions must be true: First, you must have the Computer MIDI Keyboard toggled off. Second, your last click must have been somewhere in the Arrangement View in order to place it in focus.
You can rapidly jump to an overview of your full arrangement using the W and H shortcuts.
Optimize Width and Height
One of my very favorite sets of shortcuts I discovered recently are some of the simplest methods for navigating the Live set. Pressing W optimizes width (that is, zoom such that all clips in the Arrangement View fit within the screen horizontally) and pressing H optimizes height (resize all tracks to fit within the vertical limits of the Arrangement View, or at least as close as they can while unfolded).
In order for these shortcuts to work, two conditions must be true: First, you must have the Computer MIDI Keyboard toggled off. Second, your last click must have been somewhere in the Arrangement View in order to place it in focus.
