Set audio inputs.
Last updated on
Sep 25, 2023
Learn to record audio using waveform and multitrack editors, punch-in recording, timed recording, and input monitoring tools in Adobe Audition.
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.
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.
At the bottom of the Editor panel, select the Record button to start and stop recording.
Correct DC offset
Some sound cards record with a slight DC offset, which introduces direct current into the signal, causing the waveform's center 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.
In the Waveform Editor, select Favorites > Repair DC Offset.
Use the Analyze amplitude. option to measure DC offset.
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. 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 ones and play along to create sophisticated, layered compositions. Each recording becomes a new audio clip on a track.
In the Inputs/Outputs area of the Editor panel, choose a source from a track’s Input menu.
To change the available inputs, select Audio Hardware, and then select Settings.
Select 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.)
To hear hardware inputs routed through any track effects and sends, select the Monitor Input 
button.
Note
Routing inputs through effects and sends requires significant processing. You can also reduce latency (an audible delay) that disrupts performers' timing.
To simultaneously record on multiple tracks, repeat steps
1‑3.
In the Editor panel, position the current‑time indicator at the desired starting point, or select a range for the new clip.
At the bottom of the panel, select 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.
In the Editor panel, drag the Time Selection Tool 
in the appropriate track to select a time range for the clip.
Select the correct track input.
Select the Arm For Record button for the track.
Position the current‑time indicator a few seconds before the selected range.
At the bottom of the Editor panel, select 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.
Enable one or more tracks for recording.
At the bottom of the Editor panel, select the Play button.
When you reach an area where you want to begin recording, select the Record button. When you finish recording, select the button again.
Punch and Roll
This record mode lets you record audio using the punch-and-roll technique with pre-roll, a visual countdown, and Punch Again functionality. When recording is done in 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:
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.
Position the playhead where you would like to punch in. To begin recording, press Record.
To adjust pre-roll duration, open Preferences > Playback and Recording. The pre-roll is set to 5 seconds by default.
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.
For video files, the countdown is displayed in the Video panel as an overlay, with a flash frame at the start of recording.
Punch again
The Punch Again command stops active playback or recording and starts a Punch and Roll recording from the last punch-in point.
Choose punch-in takes
If you punch in multiple takes, Adobe Audition layers them on top of each other in the Editor panel. To choose between takes, do the following:
With the Time Selection Tool , select a range that snaps to the start and end of the punch-in takes.
In the track, position the mouse over the clip header. The header displays the track name, followed by the take number.
Drag the topmost take to a different location typically the end of the session to avoid unwanted playback.
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.
Timed Record Mode
Timed Record Mode can be used to schedule recording for a later time when you may not be available to manually start or end the recording process. To record, follow these steps:
Right-click the Record button and select Timed Record Mode.
Position the playhead where you would like to begin recording and press Record. The Timed Recording dialog appears.
- Start Time: You can modify the time and date to begin recording. By default, the Start Time will be configured for 15 minutes from the time it was invoked. You may choose to begin recording immediately by selecting Immediately.
- Recording Time: This allows you to set a duration for how long to record. Select No TIme Limit to continue until manually stopped.
When Audition is armed and waiting to record, the Record button will blink a blue highlight.
Note
During this period, it is not recommended to perform any additional editing. Attempting to open or switch to a different file will prompt a warning that a Timed Recording is scheduled, as shown below. Audition will begin recording in the active file in the Editor panel, so to avoid overwriting data, it is recommended to let Audition remain idle while waiting to record.
When the time limit for the record is reached, Audition will stop recording. Note that the file is not automatically saved to disk. You can preview the content before exporting or saving.
Overwrite and Insert modes in Waveform editor
- Overwrite: Select this mode and position the playhead where you would like to overwrite audio and press record.
- Insert: This mode allows you to insert audio at a given point while not overwriting the clip. Position the playhead where you would like to begin recording and press Record.
Input monitoring
Input monitoring lets you preview the input from your recording device. This needs to be done before starting the actual recording by either observing the level meters or listening to them.
Select 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.
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
Enable the input metering checkbox to view input levels on the track-level meter when the transport is stopped or recording. To enable input metering, follow these steps:
Select Adobe Audition > Preferences > Multitrack.
Enable the input metering checkbox.
Smart monitoring
Smart monitoring automatically enables input monitoring during recording and when the player is stopped, enabling 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 ignored, and you only hear the track's content. This helps you find the perfect punch-in point. You can then listen to the recorded audio.
To enable input monitoring, follow these steps:
Select Adobe Audition > Preferences > Multitrack.
Enable the Enable smart monitoring checkbox.
Edit, mix, and record with Audition
Create and edit audio for podcasts, music, film, and more.
