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.)
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Set audio inputs. (See Configure audio inputs and outputs.)
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.
Note:
To measure DC offset, see Analyze amplitude.
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.
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.
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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.
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.

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Select the correct track input. (See Assign audio inputs and outputs to tracks.)
Audition plays the audio preceding the selection, records during the selected range, and then resumes playback.
If you don’t need to punch a specific range, you can quickly punch into a general area during playback.
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Enable one or more tracks for recording. (See Record audio clips in the Multitrack Editor.)
If you punch in multiple takes, Audition layers the takes over each other in the Editor panel. To choose between takes, do the following:
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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.)
Note:
To mute the original clip for the duration of the punch-in range, adjust the volume envelope. (See Automating clip settings.)
Input monitoring allows you to preview the input coming from your recording device before starting the actual recording by either observing the level meters or listening to it.
Enable input monitoring by clicking the [I] button on the track header controls or in the mixer. The [R] button arms the track for recording. This affects the audio routing depending on your preferences.

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

• Input metering: Enable the input metering check box to see the input levels on the track level meter while 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, to 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. After punching-in, the recorded content is audible again so that you can observe the recording.
To enable input monitoring, follow these steps:
1. Select Adobe Audition < Preferences < Multitrack.
2. Enable the enable smart monitoring