# Keys DUET's keys follow Impulse Tracker: the F-row and `Ctrl`/`Alt` chords carry the commands, and the letter rows stay free for the piano. This page is the whole reference. The same pages are in the app: `?` (or `F1`) opens the help popup, drawn from the key layout in use, so a layout you change documents itself. Two tables below are generated by `tools/docgen.py` from the tree and the binary; `python3 tools/docgen.py --check` says whether they are current. ## Keys that are always the same These are not part of the layout and cannot be rebound. | key | does | |---|---| | `ARROWS` | move the cursor: field to field on the grid, row to row in a list, item to item on a page | | `PGUP` `PGDN` `HOME` `END` | jump on the grid and in lists | | `ESC` | leave the thing you are in (a popup, an editor, a marked block); on a work page with nothing to leave, `ESC` twice quits | | `Ctrl+C` | quit at once, from anywhere | | the letter rows | in JAM, a piano: `Z S X D C V ...` is the lower octave, `Q 2 W 3 E R ...` the upper one (`SPACE` switches EDIT and JAM) | | `` ` `` `1` `~` `.` | on a note field: note off, note cut, note fade, clear | | `0`–`9` `A`–`F` | type into a hex field | | `SHIFT+ARROWS` | nudge the value under the cursor; on a note, transpose it | ## Commands and their default keys Every command DUET has, with the keys the built-in layout gives it. The `action` column is the name a key layout file uses (see *Your own layout* below). A key belongs to one action: binding it elsewhere takes it away. ### Transport | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `play_start` | `f5` `ctrl+f5` | play from start | | `play_resume` | `f7` `ctrl+f6` | resume / SONG: play from the selected order | | `play_pattern` | `f6` | play pattern (loops) | | `stop` | `f8` | stop (position kept) | | `rewind` | `ctrl+r` | stop + rewind | | `jam_all_off` | `enter` | all jam notes off | ### Screens and pages | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `screen_next` | `tab` | to the PATTERN page; standing on it, flip to INSTRUMENTS | | `screen_prev` | `shift+tab` | to the INSTRUMENTS page; standing on it, flip to PATTERN | | `screen_up` | `ctrl+up` | the previous screen in the list (PROJECT, SONG, PATTERN, INSTRUMENTS, MIXER, VISUALIZER) | | `screen_down` | `ctrl+down` | the next screen in the list | | `screen_left` | — | same as screen_up (unbound by default) | | `screen_right` | — | same as screen_down (unbound by default) | | `page_pattern` | `f2` | go to the PATTERN editor | | `page_rack` | `f4` | to the INSTRUMENTS page, rotating its lists I## > P## > S## > W## > I## | | `page_song` | `f11` | go to the ORDER LIST | | `page_project` | `f12` | go to the PROJECT page | | `help` | `?` `/` `f1` | the key help popup (these pages, in the app) | | `quit` | `q` | quit | ### How the grid looks | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `grid_cycle` | `ctrl+v` | co-play grid: IT > UNITY > POLY > SWM | | `split_toggle` | `ctrl+t` | SPLIT: pin the SID columns to the right edge | | `col_view` | `ctrl+w` | channel width: FULL > NOTE+INS > NOTE | | `follow_toggle` | `ctrl+f` | follow on/off | | `pulse_toggle` | `f3` | the grid's note pulse: seven looks, then off | ### Patterns | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `pattern_next` | `+` `=` | next pattern | | `pattern_prev` | `-` `_` | prev pattern | | `pattern_hop_next` | `ctrl+=` `ctrl++` | next pattern, PATTERN HOP patterns at a time (the hop is set on the PROJECT page) | | `pattern_hop_prev` | `ctrl+-` `ctrl+_` | previous pattern, PATTERN HOP patterns at a time | | `goto_pattern` | `ctrl+g` | GO TO a pattern: type its number | | `pattern_length` | `l` `ctrl+f2` | pattern length (rows) | ### Jamming | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `jam_toggle` | `space` | EDIT <-> JAM on the pattern and instruments pages (in JAM the letter rows are a piano) | | `octave_down` | `[` `{` | octave down | | `octave_up` | `]` `}` | octave up | | `ins_prev` | `;` `<` | prev instrument | | `ins_next` | `'` `>` | next instrument | | `osc_toggle` | `alt+o` | the scope panel on/off | ### Files and the project | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `open_file` | `o` `f9` `ctrl+o` | open file dialog | | `open_instrument` | `i` `ctrl+f4` | load instrument | | `project_save` | `f10` `ctrl+s` | save project (.zon+.it) | | `project_new` | `ctrl+n` | new project (asks twice) | | `export_audio` | `ctrl+e` `shift+f10` | EXPORT AUDIO (wav) | | `export_sample` | `ctrl+b` | pattern page: bounce the marked block; elsewhere: the selected P## sample as a .wav | | `reload_keys` | `ctrl+k` | re-read the key layout file | ### Undo | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `undo` | `ctrl+z` | undo (this target) | | `redo` | `ctrl+y` | redo (this target) | | `undo_list` | `ctrl+u` | undo history popup | ### Mute and solo | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `chan_mute` | `ctrl+m` `alt+f9` | MUTE the cursor's column (an IT channel, a SID voice, a synth slot or a SID-Wizard track) | | `chan_solo` | `alt+f10` | SOLO the cursor's column | | `chan_mute_1` | `alt+f1` | MUTE channel 1 | | `chan_mute_2` | `alt+f2` | MUTE channel 2 | | `chan_mute_3` | `alt+f3` | MUTE channel 3 | | `chan_mute_4` | `alt+f4` | MUTE channel 4 | | `chan_mute_5` | `alt+f5` | MUTE channel 5 | | `chan_mute_6` | `alt+f6` | MUTE channel 6 | | `chan_mute_7` | `alt+f7` | MUTE channel 7 | | `chan_mute_8` | `alt+f8` | MUTE channel 8 | ### Zones and IT channels | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `zone_prev` | `alt+left` | jump to the previous zone of the page (the grid's IT / SYN / SID blocks; the console's sections) | | `zone_next` | `alt+right` | jump to the next zone | | `it_chans_more` | `alt+up` | IT CHANNELS +1 | | `it_chans_less` | `alt+down` | IT CHANNELS -1 | ### The mark and the block | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `mark_begin` | `alt+b` | mark from here | | `mark_end` | `alt+e` | end the block here | | `mark_ladder` | `alt+d` | grow the mark: beat > bar > the rest of the column > the channel > the whole side | | `mark_column` | `alt+l` | mark the whole channel; again, the whole side | | `mark_clear` | `alt+u` | unmark (ESC does it too) | | `block_copy` | `alt+c` | copy the block | | `block_cut` | `alt+z` | cut the block | | `block_paste` | `alt+p` | paste at the cursor | | `block_mix` | `alt+m` | paste, but only into empty fields | | `block_translate` | `alt+shift+p` | paste onto another kind of column with the effects translated into its language | | `block_semi_up` | `alt+q` | block +1 semitone | | `block_semi_down` | `alt+a` | block -1 semitone | | `block_oct_up` | `alt+shift+q` | block +1 octave | | `block_oct_down` | `alt+shift+a` | block -1 octave | | `block_set_ins` | `alt+s` | set every note in the block to the current instrument | | `pattern_ops` | `ctrl+p` | the block command list (interpolate, reverse, roll, ...); with no block it marks the whole side first | ### Sync markers | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `marker_set` | `alt+g` | the SYNC MARKER popup on the cursor's cell: a value a host program receives when the row plays; saved in the project (see [the pattern editor](pattern-editor.md)) | ### The system clipboard | action | default keys | what it does | |---|---|---| | `sysclip_menu` | `alt+shift+x` `alt+x` | the SYSTEM CLIPBOARD list: COPY, CUT, PASTE, MIX PASTE and TRANSLATE PASTE through the operating system's clipboard, as text OpenMPT and another DUET read (see [the system clipboard](system-clipboard.md)); with no block it marks the whole side first | | `sysclip_copy` | `alt+shift+c` | copy the block to the system clipboard (the ALT+C clipboard is untouched) | | `sysclip_cut` | `alt+shift+z` | cut the block to the system clipboard | | `sysclip_paste` | `alt+shift+v` | paste the system clipboard at the cursor - the fields it carries, on the columns it has | | `sysclip_mix` | `alt+shift+m` | paste the system clipboard, but only into empty fields | | `sysclip_translate` | `alt+shift+t` | paste the system clipboard onto another kind of column with the effects translated | ## The pages' keys The in-app help, page by page, as the built-in layout prints it (`duet --dump-help`). GLOBAL holds everything that is true on every page; the others are the pages of the screen list (`Ctrl+UP/DOWN`). ### GLOBAL ```text TRANSPORT SCREENS F5 ^F5 play from start TAB PATTERN / flip F7 ^F6 resume / SONG: play from SHIFT+TAB INSTRUMENTS/flip F6 play pattern (loops) F2 go to the PATTERN editor F8 stop (position kept) F4 INSTRUMENTS: next list ^R stop + rewind F11 go to the ORDER LIST ENTER all notes off F12 go to the PROJECT page ^UP/DN up and down this list FILES O F9 ^O open file dialog PROJECT I ^F4 load instrument SONG │ SWM SONG F10 ^S save project (.zon+.it) PATTERN │ INSTRUMENTS ^N new project (asks twice) THE MIXER │ MIXER FX ^E SHIFT+F10 EXPORT AUDIO (wav) VISUALIZER ^B bounce block / P## wav after ^S SAVE REPORT: patterns UNDO (the thing you are on) nothing plays, kept ^Z undo (this target) ENTER x2 = CLEAR ALL ^Y redo (this target) ^U undo history popup ^K reload key file ENTER in ^U: travel to line Q quit (and ESC: press twice) IN THE FILE DIALOG SPACE play · S-UP/DN oct ``` ### PROJ ```text THE PROJECT PAGE ARROWS move focus ENTER edit a field, or run a button (ESC reverts text) SHIFT+.. LT/RT nudge 1, UP/DN nudge 10 - switches walk too digits type into SPEED / TEMPO / IT CHANNELS / CH-HOP the line under the fields says what the focused one does FILE OPERATIONS OPEN any supported file - it REPLACES this session NEW a fresh duet NEW IT a bare Impulse song NEW SWM.. a SID tune: pick .swm / .sws / .swt / .swq +CO-PLAY add the other half; once paired it DROPS it again EXPORT WAV renders audio (^E) - SID writes the SID columns out as a real SID-Wizard module WHAT SAVE WRITES (the badge top-right says which) [DUET] the .zon project + its .it song (+ a changed .swm) [IT] the .it, and only it [SWM] the module, and only it [CO] the project, both halves saved with it SAVE AS picks a new name; the first save always asks SETUP (one row per SID chip) SHIFT+.. LT/RT walks a chip off > 8580 > 6581 > off on its PAN: LT/RT nudge 5, UP/DN jump a whole stop a chip that is ON adds three SID columns to the grid QUALITY (the SIDS header row) + the CPU % SHIFT+.. LT/RT walks FAST > INTERP > RESAMPLE how reSID turns the chip's 1 MHz into 48 kHz: FAST costs a quarter of INTERP and aliases; RESAMPLE band-limits it away for 16% more than INTERP. One knob, every chip. CPU % (top right) is what PLAYBACK costs: the audio callback's share of its own budget - 100% drops out. ``` ### SONG ```text ORDER LIST CHANNELS UP/DN walk the list 0-9 VOL or PAN, 0-64 LT/RT cross to the CHANNELS L M R hard left/centre/right 0-F type the pattern number S surround + - the +++ / --- marks ENTER on MUTE: silence it SH+ARR count it up/down (1 / 10) n another of THIS pattern the table shows the columns INS ... and so do INS and the grid draws - as long as SH+BKSP SHIFT+BACKSPACE the song is wide, no more. N a NEW section: the unused pattern, or a fresh one SID rows: SHIFT+arrows or DEL BKSP drop this position L/M/R place the chip. Its ENTER edit that order's pattern type is on the PROJECT page. F7 play the song FROM HERE SWM SONG (TAB) the strip is what PLAYS in each 0-9 edit the entry's number pattern: PCM ice, SID amber. t v s transpose / vol / tempo a dim PAT number is a repeat. j u jump (a ROW) / subtune + - the rule / the END n N DEL repeat / new / drop INS repeat too (SH+BKSP) ENTER open ptn / follow jump ... or LIST the kinds SH+ENTER the WHOLE ROW on the grid ^P that list, from any cell SH+ARR count up/down (1 / 10) UP at the top: SUBTUNE SH+LT/RT ... pick one (F5 plays it) N there: a NEW subtune RIGHT past tracks: TEMPO pane ... the FX $12/$15 grooves ENTER on TEMPO: funktempo on/off the keys are the glyphs the cells show; jumps read as row numbers. EVERY TRACK ENDS in an END or a JUMP, as SID-Wizard's own do. That row takes only the other one; anything else you place lands ABOVE it, and DEL keeps it. Below a shorter track, typing adds a row at its own end. ``` ### PATTERN ```text PATTERN EDIT (the keyboard types) ARROWS field to field, PGUP/HOME SPACE EDIT <-> JAM ^LT/RT hop N channels: CH-HOP PIANO z/q rows enter notes ALT+RIGHT jump to the NEXT zone ` 1 ~ . note off/cut/fade/clear IT / SYNTH / SID blocks 0-F type into the field (hex) ALT+UP IT CHANNELS +1 LETTERS IT fx; hex on SID ALT+DOWN IT CHANNELS -1 ENTER the FX PICKER: VOL, FX, and its value + = next pattern ENTER on an INS number: jump - _ prev pattern to it - on an empty or ^= ^+ next, PATTERN HOP $40+ one, the INS-FX ^- ^_ prev, PATTERN HOP list (SW columns only) ^G GO TO pattern (type it) in JAM: arrows step channels L ^F2 pattern length (rows) ^M ALT+F9 MUTE this column TRANSPOSE (SHIFT+..) ALT+F10 SOLO this column LT/RT semitone -/+ ALT+F1-8 MUTE channels 1-8 UP/DN octave +/- the HOP is P-HOP on the empty note: last note lands PROJECT page; +/- auto-repeat. on a vbX cell: LT/RT dials EVERY pattern number exists the vibrato amplitude from load: '+' and ^G just walk out to an empty one. A BLOCK (the BLOCK page) ALT+B mark from here VIEW ALT+D beat>bar>rest>ch>side ^V grid IT>UNITY>POLY>SWM ^P the command list ^T SPLIT: pin SID columns the whole vocabulary is one ^W channel width (3 looks) page over: mark something and ^F follow on/off '?' lands on it. F3 grid pulse (7 looks) SYNC MARKER (a project fact) JAM INSTRUMENT ALT+G sync marker at the cu ; < prev instrument a value a host program gets ' > next instrument when the row plays; DEL clears ALT+O the scope panel on/off the scope shows what the SW COLUMNS (.swm) keyboard plays; ESC closes + - THIS column's phrase F6 loop the combination the column IS the pattern; the header shows its number. ``` ### BLOCK ```text THE MARK (a block) ON THE BLOCK ALT+B mark from here ^P the command list ALT+D beat>bar>rest>ch>side ^P lists them all, with their ALT+L the whole channel keys; no block = the whole ALT+E end the block here side, marked so you see it. ALT+U unmark (ESC too) ALT+C copy the block MARKING = still following the ALT+Z cut the block cursor; ENTER holds it, then ALT+P paste at the cursor the cursor walks off freely. ALT+M paste into gaps only A block stays on ONE side of ALT+SHIFT+P TRANSLATE PASTE the IT/SID seam. ALT+S block: set instrument paste onto another kind of ON A SID-WIZARD GRID column and the effects come Every verb here works on the too, in its own language. SW tracks too. A column IS a ALT+SHIFT+X system clipboard phrase, so a verb runs ONCE out to another DUET/OpenMPT per phrase however many ALT+SHIFT+C copy out tracks show it, and each ALT+SHIFT+Z cut out column stops at its own ALT+SHIFT+V paste in length. A block DOES cross to ALT+SHIFT+M ... into gaps a song's columns - the note ALT+SHIFT+T ... translated lands converted, and TRANSLATE ALT+Q/A semitone +/- PASTE carries the effects. +SHIFT ... an octave SHIFT+.. arrows do both too DEL clear the block ^P only interpolate, reverse, roll paste lands on the FIELDS it was cut from: the cursor gives the row and the channel only. ROWS (with no block) DEL BKSP delete row, pull up INS insert row, push down SH+BKSP ... the same insert ALT+ them the whole row, one side ``` ### INS ```text THE INSTRUMENT LIST THE SWI EDITOR (S## W##) UP/DOWN pick a slot: I## .. K## arrows params, then tables ZSXDCV.. jam it - lower octave 0-9 A-F type hex Q2W3ER.. ... upper octave ENTER toggle / add a row [ { octave down INS add a row too, and so ] } octave up SH+BKSP does SHIFT+BACKSPACE SH+SPACE all notes off SH+arrow nudge the value ^D COPY the highlighted BKSP DEL delete the row BKSP CLEAR it (nothing moves) g gate-off marker DEL CLEAR + wipe its notes F10 ^S save the project TAB next list (I P S W D K) F4 ... and it never leaves THE SAMPLE EDITOR (P##) END the list's buttons, below arrows name/tuning/loop/vib digits type; ENTER switches THE LIST'S BUTTONS (below it) z snap a zero crossing IMPORT parts -> next free slot SH+arrow nudge (C5: a semitone) +I## new I##: pick its sample ^B bounce block / P## wav EXPAND show 10 more slots a sample lives in the .it - SHRINK ... only the ones in use the PROJECT save writes it a DIM button is at its limit THE I## EDITOR THE SLOT'S BUTTONS (detail pane) UP+strip GENERAL MAP VOL PAN PITCH CLEAR blank it, nothing moves MAP: a spread it to every key CLR+NOTES ... and wipe its cells LOAD a file INTO this slot ITS ENVELOPES (VOL/PAN/PITCH) SAVE .swi / .wav out of it UP/DOWN walk nodes L/R: tick|val SH+arrow DRAG the node, 2D IMPORT (.swm ins / .it sample) ENTER +node (midpoint) UP/DOWN walk that module's parts BKSP -node SPACE audition it where it lies s S l L sustain/loop band on node [ ] the audition octave e c f on/off carry filter SH+UP/DN (same, the dialog's) c +CHORDS: bring the chord THE D## EDITOR (DUST) ENTER take it (list stays up) UP+strip VOICE TABLES MOD MACRO only instruments that ARP a arrows 4 tables, one tab chord ($7F) bring one along; UP row 00 up: the CLOCK a SAMPLE brings all of itself f follow the playhead ENTER MOD: pick source/dest MOD foot base|held|mod|final, live MACRO SFx/Zxx + the vol column armed in SETUP (PROJECT) IN EVERY EDITOR RIGHT or ENTER: step in ESC back to the list LEFT ... off the 1st field SPACE JAM on/off (piano) [ ] its octave ALT+O the scope panel on/off ... or the [OSC] button in the slot's own button row; the line under the fields reads the value back to you ``` ### MIXER ```text THE MIXER (a studio console) SEND FX (TAB from the mixer) LT/RT walk strips, any zone TAB strips, sends, the units ^LT/RT hop CH-HOP strips at once A B C D one send per unit, 0-100 ALT+LEFT jump to the PREV zone +/- nudge 1, SH+UP/DN 10 ALT+RIGHT jump to the NEXT zone ENTER a send off, and back CHANNELS/CHIPS/SYNTHS/OUT a this send on EVERY strip UP/DN walk the strip's rows 0 send off / knob to default +/- fine nudge, SH+UP/DN big ENTER b on a unit: its BYPASS hold a nudge to SWEEP m s mute / solo this strip ENTER b bypass (a nudge ARMS it) s a unit: all RETURNS alone 0 0 dB / flat / defaults m s mute/solo this strip (^M) EVERY UNIT HAS A RETURN STRIP: its own bar, LEVEL, MUTE, SOLO and EQ. CH strips are the song's own BYPASS stops the unit; MUTE drops VOL/PAN 0-64; the dB knobs are what comes back and lets it ring. the .zon's. EQ: 120 Hz shelf, 1.2 kHz, 8 kHz shelf, +-12 dB. DELAY: echo. TIME counts ROWS, so DYN is the master chain: EQ > it follows the song's tempo; MODE fader > COMP > LIMITER, its GR PING bounces it left to right. bars hanging. Every stage is BORN REVERB: SPACE picks ROOM/PLATE/HALL BYPASSED: untouched is identical. - DECAY how long, DAMP how dark. DUST strips (one per armed CHORUS: 2-4 sweeping copies; heavy slot) carry their own PAN here. FDBK flanges. DRIVE: distortion, CRUSH is the C64 one. DUCK bows a return under the dry mix. A send taps the strip AFTER its own fader, pan and EQ; the returns land in the mix before the MASTER chain. ``` ### VIZ ```text VISUALIZER LT/RT cycle VU BARS / SPECTRUM / SCOPE / PLASMA UP/DN bar style NORMAL / SCANLINES / GAP (on VU BARS + SPECTRUM) DUO + COPPER are parked (--viz reaches them) ``` ## Your own layout A layout is a small `.zon` file that binds actions to keys over the built-in default. Load one with `--keys file.zon`, or put it at `~/.config/duet/keys.zon` and it loads on its own; `Ctrl+K` re-reads it while DUET runs. Two are shipped in `docs/keymaps/`: - `impulse.zon` — the built-in layout written out in full, to copy from. Loading it changes nothing. - `sidwizard.zon` — SID-Wizard's transport on `F1`–`F4`. The file is a struct: a `.name`, then one field per action you want to change. Actions you leave out keep their defaults. ```zig .{ .name = "mine", .play_start = "f1", // one key .help = "?,/,f1", // alternatives, comma-separated .page_rack = "none", // unbind } ``` A key is spelled: - a single printable character: `q`, `;`, `+` (case matters: `L` and `l` are two keys); - `space`, `tab`, `shift+tab`, `enter`; - `f1` … `f12`, and their `alt+`, `ctrl+` and `shift+` forms; - `ctrl+up` `ctrl+down` `ctrl+left` `ctrl+right`, and the same four with `alt+`; - `ctrl+` a printable character (`ctrl+s`, `ctrl+=`), except `c`, `h`, `i` and `j`, which the terminal keeps; - `alt+` a printable character, and `alt+shift+` a letter; - `none`. Some of these only exist on a terminal that speaks the kitty keyboard protocol (the window build always does): a modified F-key, `Ctrl` with punctuation, `Ctrl+M` (a legacy terminal sends it as `ENTER`), every `Alt` chord, `Shift+SPACE`. On a legacy terminal such a key never arrives as itself, which is why everything bound to one has another road — a plain key, or a button on a page; [troubleshooting](troubleshooting.md) lists them. The protocol reports a shifted key as its base key — `?` arrives as `/`, `+` as `=` — so bind both. A file that fails to parse at start-up is reported on the terminal (`does not parse`, `names a key that does not exist`, `no such file`) and the built-in layout is used; on `Ctrl+K` the status line says `KEYS: the file does not parse - the old layout is kept` and the layout in use stays. Fix the file and press `Ctrl+K` again.