Overview
CKCViewer is a specialized web application designed to help Cubase users manage and reference their keyboard shortcuts. This tool addresses a common pain point for music producers and audio engineers who work with Steinberg's Cubase - the difficulty of quickly finding and organizing keyboard shortcuts across the DAW's extensive feature set.
Key Features
🔑
Complete Key Command Visualization
- Load your Cubase key commands file
- Instantly search through hundreds of commands
- Clearly organized with category-based grouping
🔍
Advanced Filtering & Search
- Text search across commands, categories, and keys
- Multi-category filtering with flexible selection
- Toggle to show only commands with shortcuts
🔄
Plugin Name Translation
- Translate cryptic UIDs to actual plugin names
- Match plugin shortcuts with one click
- Improve readability of Process Plug-in commands
📊
Export Capabilities
- Export to CSV for spreadsheet applications
- Generate comprehensive HTML reports
- Create printable reference sheets by category
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Required Files
To use CKCViewer, you'll need access to Cubase preference files:
- KeyCommands.xml - Contains all your Cubase keyboard shortcuts
- VstPlugInfoV4.xml (optional) - Contains plugin information for name matching
File Locations
On Windows:
\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\<program name>\
On macOS:
/Library/Preferences/<program name>/
This folder is under your home directory
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
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Load Key Commands File
- Click the file input labeled "Step 1: Load KeyCommands.xml from Cubase preferences folder"
- Navigate to the Cubase preferences location on your system
- Select the "KeyCommands.xml" file
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Load VST Plugin Info (Optional)
- Click the file input labeled "Step 2: Load VstPlugInfoV4.xml from Cubase plugin info folder"
- Navigate to the same preferences location
- Select the "VstPlugInfoV4.xml" file
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Match & Use
- Click the "Match Plugin Names" button to translate plugin UIDs to readable names
- Use the category filter to focus on specific command groups
- Use the search box to find specific commands
- Toggle the switch in the "Key" column header to show all or only assigned commands
- Export your data using either the CSV or HTML export buttons
Tip
For offline use, click the "Download Offline Version" button to save a standalone version that can be used without an internet connection.
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Main Components
- File Inputs - Located at the top for loading XML files
- Match Button - For connecting plugin UIDs with human-readable names
- Category Filter - Multi-select dropdown to filter by command categories
- Search Box - For finding specific commands or key combinations
- Only With Keys Toggle - Switch to show only commands with assigned shortcuts
- Table View - Sortable table showing Category, Command, and Key columns
- Export Buttons - For exporting data to CSV or HTML formats
Working with Categories
The category filter allows you to:
- Select "All Categories" to see everything
- Choose specific categories to focus on certain command groups
- Select multiple categories for a customized view
- Add/remove categories using the tag system below the dropdown
Sorting Commands
Click any column header to sort by:
- Category (alphabetically)
- Command (alphabetically)
- Key (alphabetically)
Click the same header again to toggle between ascending and descending order.
Export Options
CSV Export
The CSV export creates a comma-separated file with columns for Category, Command, and Key. This format is ideal for:
- Importing into spreadsheet applications
- Creating custom database of shortcuts
- Sharing raw data with others
HTML Export
The HTML export creates a formatted report with:
- Statistics summary (total commands, with/without shortcuts)
- Commands organized by category
- Proper formatting for printing
- Professional layout for documentation
This format is ideal for creating printed reference guides, sharing formatted documentation, and creating training materials.
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Use Cases
For Producers & Engineers
- Quickly reference shortcuts while producing
- Find unused commands to assign custom shortcuts
- Create a personalized cheat sheet of most-used commands
- Optimize workflow by identifying frequently used commands
- Compare different shortcut setups between projects
For Educators
- Create training materials for students
- Generate reference materials for courses
- Compare different shortcut setups for teaching
- Build custom cheat sheets for different course levels
- Create standardized keyboard shortcut guides
For Studios
- Standardize keyboard shortcuts across workstations
- Create studio-specific documentation
- Onboard new team members with custom reference guides
- Maintain consistency across multiple rooms/setups
- Document custom workflow shortcuts for clients
Technical Information
CKCViewer is built using modern web technologies:
- Pure JavaScript (no external frameworks)
- Tailwind CSS for styling
- Font Awesome for icons
- Browser-based XML parsing
- Client-side file processing (files never leave your computer)
Privacy & Security
CKCViewer processes all files locally in your browser:
- No data is sent to any server
- Your Cubase configuration remains private
- No tracking or analytics
- No internet connection required after loading the page
Version Information
CKCViewer Version 1.0
- Initial release with complete feature set
- Compatible with modern Cubase versions
- Support for dark mode interface
- Comprehensive filtering and export options
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