---
layout: default
-title: Positioning the Playhead
+title: Controlling Playback
---
+
+<h2>Positioning the Playhead</h2>
<p>
The <dfn>playhead</dfn> is a vertical line with two arrows at each end
that indicates the current position of playback.
</p>
-<h2>Positioning the playhead at the current pointer position</h2>
+<h3>Positioning the playhead at the current pointer position</h3>
<p>
Pressing <kbd>P</kbd> will set the playhead to the current position of
the pointer, if it is within the editor track area.
</p>
-<h2>Positioning the playhead on the timeline</h2>
+<h3>Positioning the playhead on the timeline</h3>
<p>
A <kbd class="mouse">Left</kbd> click anywhere on the timeline (rulers)
will move the playhead to that position.
</p>
-<h2>Positioning the playhead with the transport clocks</h2>
+<h3>Positioning the playhead with the transport clocks</h3>
<p>
Click on either the primary or secondary transport clock and
<a href="/ardours-interface/using-ardour-clock-displays/">edit their value</a>
to move the playhead to a specific position.
</p>
-<h2>Positioning the playhead at a marker</h2>
+<h3>Positioning the playhead at a marker</h3>
<p>
Click <kbd class="mouse">Right</kbd> on the marker and select either
<kbd class="menu">Locate to here</kbd> or <kbd class="menu">Play from
<kbd>P</kbd> to set the playhead.
</p>
+
+<h2>Looping the Transport</h2>
+
+<p>
+ When the <dfn>loop transport</dfn> button is pressed, the playhead will
+ jump the start of the loop range, and continue to the end of that range
+ before returning to the start and repeating.
+ While looping, a light green area is displayed in the time ruler over
+ the tracks to show the loop range.
+</p>
+<p>
+ By default, looping is bound to the <kbd>l</kbd> key.
+</p>
+<p>
+ For more information on defining and altering the loop range see
+ <a href="/working-with-markers/loop-range/">Loop Range Markers</a>.
+</p>