Controller & keyboard reference
A lookup table for every controller action and the hardware that supports it. For the step-by-step assignment workflow, see External control.
Supported controllers
| Controller | Notes |
|---|---|
| Preh KeyTec | Programmable key panels. Import a .mwf layout file to show the physical key labels in the assignment view. |
| Launchpad | Grid pad controller. Keys bound to TriggerSlot light up automatically in the slot's colour; other actions let you choose a custom LED colour. |
Standard USB and Bluetooth keyboards are also supported — each key you press is treated as an assignable input, exactly like a button on a dedicated controller.
Actions you can bind
Each action appears in the Assign key dialog when you click a key in the controller layout view. Actions marked with a parameter need a value set at assignment time (for example, a slot number or a show name).
Slot
| Action | Description | Parameter |
|---|---|---|
| TriggerSlot | Fires the chosen slot — identical to pressing it on the slot grid. The slot stops and rewinds when you press the key again while it is playing. | Slot ID |
Layer
| Action | Description | Parameter |
|---|---|---|
| SwitchLayer | Switches the slot grid to a specific layer. | Layer number |
| NextLayer | Moves to the next layer in sequence. | — |
| PreviousLayer | Moves to the previous layer in sequence. | — |
View
| Action | Description | Parameter |
|---|---|---|
| ToggleView | Toggles between the slot grid and another main view. | — |
| GoToView | Navigates directly to a specific view by number. | View number |
Show (named)
These actions target one specific show. Add a separate binding for each show you want to drive from hardware. You choose the show in the Show picker that appears after selecting the action.
| Action | Description | Parameter |
|---|---|---|
| ShowStart | Starts the chosen show from the beginning. | Show |
| ShowStop | Stops the chosen show. | Show |
| ShowGo | Advances the chosen show to the next cue, or steps a Stepper lane. | Show |
| ShowPause | Pauses the chosen show. | Show |
| ShowPrevious | Steps the chosen show back to the previous cue. | Show |
| SelectShow | Moves the selection highlight in the Shows view to the chosen show. | Show |
Show (selected)
These actions operate on whichever show is currently highlighted in the Shows view, so one key can drive any show without rebinding.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| SelectNextShow | Moves the selection to the next show in the list. |
| SelectPrevShow | Moves the selection to the previous show. |
| PlaySelectedShow | Starts the currently selected show. |
| StopSelectedShow | Stops the currently selected show. |
| GoSelectedShow | Advances the currently selected show to the next cue. |
Global
Global actions affect everything that is playing, regardless of which show or slot triggered it.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| FadeOutAll | Fades every active source to silence and black. |
| PauseAll | Pauses every running show. |
| StopAll | Stops every running show and all active slots. |
| BlackoutAll | Cuts every canvas to black immediately. |
Keyboard shortcuts
ArenaDirector has no fixed keyboard shortcuts built in. All keyboard control works through the assignable key system — you press any key on a connected keyboard and bind it to an action, exactly as you would with a Preh KeyTec or Launchpad button. See External control for how to connect a keyboard and assign its keys.
See also
- External control — how to connect a controller and assign keys to actions
- Triggering with a controller — running a live show from a hardware controller