Recording audio

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Adobe Audition User Guide

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Applies to: Adobe Audition

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Record audio in the Waveform Editor

You can record audio from a microphone or any device you can plug into the Line In port of a sound card. Before recording, you have to adjust the input signal to optimize signal‑to‑noise levels. (See either Adjust recording levels for standard sound cards or the documentation for a professional card.)

  1. Set audio inputs. (See Configure audio inputs and outputs.)
  2. Do one of the following:

    • Create a file.

    • Open an existing file to overwrite or add new audio, and place the current‑time indicator  where you want to start recording.

  3. At the bottom of the Editor panel, click the Record button  to start and stop recording.

Correct DC offset

Some sound cards record with a slight DC offset, in which direct current is introduced into the signal, causing the center of the waveform to be offset from the zero point (the center line in the waveform display). DC offset can cause a click or pop at the beginning and end of a file.

  1. In the Waveform Editor, choose Favorites > Repair DC Offset.

Note:

To measure DC offset, see Analyze amplitude.

Direct‑to‑file recording in the Multitrack Editor

In the Multitrack Editor, Adobe Audition automatically saves each recorded clip directly to a WAV file. Direct‑to‑file recording lets you quickly record and save multiple clips, providing tremendous flexibility.

Inside the session folder, you find each recorded clip in the [session name]_Recorded folder. Clip filenames begin with the track name, followed by the take number (for example, Track 1_003.wav).

After recording, you can edit takes to produce a polished final mix. For example, if you create multiple takes of a guitar solo, you can combine the best sections of each solo. (See Trimming and extending clips.) Or, you can use one version of the solo for a video soundtrack, and another version for an audio CD.

Record audio clips in the Multitrack Editor

In the Multitrack Editor, you can record audio on multiple tracks by overdubbing. When you overdub tracks, you listen to previously recorded tracks and play along with them to create sophisticated, layered compositions. Each recording becomes a new audio clip on a track.

  1. In the Inputs/Outputs area of the Editor panel, choose a source from a track’s Input menu.

    Note:

    To change the available inputs, choose Audio Hardware, and then click Settings.

  2. Click the Arm For Record button  for the track.

    The track meters display the input, helping you optimize levels. (To disable this default and display levels only while recording, deselect Enable Input Metering When Arming Tracks in the Multitrack preferences.)

  3. To hear hardware inputs routed through any track effects and sends, click the Monitor Input button .

    Note:

    Routing inputs through effects and sends requires significant processing. To reduce latency (an audible delay) that disrupts timing for performers, see Configure audio inputs and outputs.

  4. To simultaneously record on multiple tracks, repeat steps 1‑3.
  5. In the Editor panel, position the current‑time indicator  at the desired starting point, or select a range for the new clip.
  6. At the bottom of the panel, click the Record button  to start and stop recording.

Punch into a selected range

If you’re dissatisfied with a time range of a recorded clip, you can select that range and punch in a new recording, leaving the original clip intact. Though you can record into a specific range without punching in, punching in lets you hear audio immediately before and after a range; that audio provides vital context that helps you create natural transitions.

For important or difficult sections, you can punch in multiple takes, and then select or edit takes to create the best performance.

A take created by punching in
A take created by punching in
  1. In the Editor panel, drag the Time Selection tool  in the appropriate track to select a time range for the clip.
  2. Select the correct track input. (See Assign audio inputs and outputs to tracks.)
  3. Click the Arm For Record button  for the track.
  4. Position the current‑time indicator  a few seconds before the selected range.
  5. At the bottom of the Editor panel, click the Record button .

Adobe Audition plays the audio preceding the selection, records during the selected range, and then resume playback.

Punch in during playback

If you don’t wish to punch a specific range, you can quickly punch into a general area during playback.

  1. Enable one or more tracks for recording. (See Record audio clips in the Multitrack Editor.)

  2. At the bottom of the Editor panel, click the Play button .
  3. When you reach an area where you want to begin recording, click the Record button . When you finish recording, click the button again.

Punch and Roll

This record mode allows you to record audio using the punch and roll technique with pre-roll, visual countdown, and Punch Again functionality. When recording is done on this mode, playback runs for the specified pre-roll duration before the recording punches in at the desired point. The pre-roll duration can be configured on the Playback and Recording Preferences page.

To record, follow these steps:

  1. Toggle Punch and Roll recording mode by right-clicking the Record button and selecting Punch and Roll Mode. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Alt+Space. 

    Recording modes
    Recording modes

  2. Position the playhead where you would like to punch in. To begin recording, press Record.

  3. To adjust pre-roll duration, open Preferences > Playback and Recording. The pre-roll is set to 5 seconds by default.

    Adjust pre-roll duration
    Adjust pre-roll duration

    The Punch Again command stops active playback or recording and starts a Punch and Roll recording from the last punch in point. You can configure this command using keyboard shortcuts.

  4. For video files, the countdown is displayed in the Video panel as an overlay, with a flash frame when recording begins.

Punch again

Punch Again command stops active playback or recording and starts a Punch and Roll recording from the last punch in point.

Punch again keyboard shortcut
Punch again keyboard shortcut

Choose punch-in takes

If you punch in multiple takes, Adobe Audition layers the takes over each other in the Editor panel. To choose between takes, do the following:

  1. With the Time Selection tool , select a range that snaps to the start and end of the punch-in takes. (See Snap to clip endpoints.)
  2. In the track, position the mouse over the clip header. (The header displays the track name, followed by take number.)
  3. Drag the topmost take to a different location (typically the end of the session to avoid unwanted playback).
  4. Play the session. If you prefer a take you previously moved, drag it back to the selected range.

Note:

To mute the original clip for the duration of the punch-in range, adjust the volume envelope. (See Automating clip settings.)

Input monitoring

Input monitoring allows you to preview the incoming input from your recording device. This needs to be done before starting the actual recording by either observing the level meters or listening to it.
Click the [I] button on the track header controls or in the mixer to enable input monitoring. The [R] button arms the track for recording. This affects the audio routing depending on your preferences.

Arm track for record
Arm track for record

The track level meters reflect the audio coming from your input device and is routed to the track output.
Adobe Audition offers two input monitoring modes that are activated when you arm a track for record.

Input metering
Input metering

• Input metering: Enable the input metering check box to view the input levels on the track level meter when the transport is stopped or recording.
To enable input metering, follow these steps:

1. Select Adobe Audition > Preferences > Multitrack.

2. Enable the enable input metering check box.
 

For more information about level meters, see Level meters overview.

• Smart monitoring: Smart monitoring automatically enables input monitoring during recording, and while the player is stopped, allowing for better overdubs.

While the transport is stopped, you can hear the audio input. For example, communicate with your speaker. After starting playback, the input is disregarded and you only hear the content of the track playing. This helps you find the perfect punch-in point. You can then listen to the recorded audio.


To enable input monitoring, follow these steps:


1. Select Adobe Audition > Preferences > Multitrack.


2. Enable the enable smart monitoring check box.