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Inverting, reversing, and silencing audio

Invert a waveform

The Invert effect inverts audio phase by 180 degrees. (To understand phase degrees, see Waveform measurements.)

Inverting doesn’t produce an audible change on an individual waveform, but you can hear a difference when combining waveforms. For example, you might invert pasted audio to better align it with existing audio. Or, you could invert one channel of a stereo file to correct an out‑of‑phase recording.

  1. If you want to invert part of a waveform, select the desired range. Or, deselect all audio data to invert the entire waveform.
  2. Choose Effects > Invert.

Reverse a waveform

The Reverse effect reverses a waveform from right to left so it plays backwards. Reversing is useful for creating special effects.

  1. If you want to reverse part of the waveform, select the desired range. Or, deselect all audio data to reverse the entire waveform.
  2. Choose Effects > Reverse.

Create silence

Creating silence is useful for inserting pauses and removing nonessential noise from an audio file. Adobe Audition provides two ways to create silence:

  • To mute existing audio in the Waveform Editor, select the desired content, and choose Effects > Silence. Unlike deleting or cutting a selection, which splices the surrounding material together, muting leaves the duration of the selection intact.

  • To add silence in the Waveform or Multitrack Editor, either position the current-time indicator  or select existing audio. Then choose Edit > Insert >Silence, and enter the number of seconds. Any audio to the right is pushed out in time, lengthening duration. Multitrack clips are split if necessary.

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