I find it's much better practice to start out with all shortcuts disabled (this should be the default) then add them one at a time as you need them.
 
 

By your description, it is highly unlikely that the meters changed by using a keyboard shortcut. I do not even see the possibility of assigning one in Preferences. It's more likely that you hit a screenset button or key such as 1 or 6 or 9.
 
Anyway, to avoid such mishaps in the future, just set things up like you want and then save it as a screenset so that if it should happen again you can just click that screenset and get it all back.
 
Steve

Paul P
I find it's much better practice to start out with all shortcuts disabled (this should be the default) then add them one at a time as you need them.

When I read that it just made me realize I do not know more shortcuts than I know, lol. I may just end up doing this!

I feel your pain Konrad
This is how I deal with it

Others suggested it, there it is; had to get Audio Snap and Screensets outta the way!
Audio Snap, nothing will make a bigger mess of a project than that!
Tom

Thanks very much, guys.  Very helpful info.
 
And I agree that an unintentional Audiosnap can really screw things up.  That one has gotten me a few times.

my FAV is "O'
I hit that one day, went in to off set mode and thought I broke  automation..lol.
my faders kept snapping back to 0 DB or something. took a bit but the help guide will walk you through a good amount of it too.
good luck on this ;)

chuckebaby
my FAV is "O'
I hit that one day, went in to off set mode and thought I broke  automation..lol.
 

 
That's why 'O' is File > Open for me now - obvious and easily canceled when you hit it accidentally. 

DeeringAmps

 

I wish that Windows keybindings could be edited like that.