Save and export audio files

Save audio files

Learn to save, export, and convert audio files in Adobe Audition using multiple formats, mixdown options, and export settings.

In the Waveform Editor, you can save audio files in a variety of common formats. The format you choose depends on how you plan to use the file. Keep in mind that each format stores unique information that might be discarded if you save a file in a different format.

Export with Adobe Media Encoder

You can export your multitrack sessions to multiple formats by sending audio and video from Audition to Adobe Media Encoder. Adobe Media Encoder includes a range of formats and presets that let you render and publish high-quality audio and video from Audition.

To export a multitrack session using Adobe Media Encoder:

Extract audio channels to mono files

If you want to edit or output individual channels of a stereo or surround-sound file, extract them to mono files. Adobe Audition appends the channel name to each extracted filename.

For example, a stereo source file named Jazz.aif produces mono files named Jazz_L and Jazz_R.

Save multitrack sessions

A multitrack session file is a small, non-audio file. It merely stores information about locations of related audio files on your hard drive, the duration of each audio file within the session, the envelopes and effects applied to various tracks, and so forth. You can reopen a saved session file later to make further changes to the mix.

If you create multitrack mixes entirely in Adobe Audition, save session files in the native SESX format. If you plan to share multitrack compositions with other applications, learn how to export sessions to OMF or Final Cut Pro Interchange format.

Export sessions to OMF or Final Cut Pro Interchange format

To transfer complete mixes to other applications in your workflow, export to OMF or Final Cut Pro Interchange format. OMF was originally created for Avid Pro Tools, but now is a common multitrack exchange format for many audio mixing applications. Final Cut Pro Interchange format is based on human-readable XML files, which you can edit offline to revise text references, mix settings, and so on.

Export to OMF

The Warnings section indicates elements of the session that will be excluded or changed. To copy this information to the clipboard, select the Copy Warnings option.

Export to Final Cut Pro Interchange format

The following session elements are excluded from the exported file:

• The second channel of stereo clips. (All clips and tracks become mono.)
• Overlapping clips
• Effects and track EQ.
• Automation envelopes other than clip volume and mono-to-stereo track panning.
• Output routing, sends, buses, and the mix track.

Export session templates

Session templates include all multitrack properties and clips, helping you quickly start projects requiring similar settings and tasks. Examples include an intro theme or background ambiance common to several related shows.

Export session archives

To combine session and source files for easy transfer to other computers or storage devices, export session archives. Use this process to change the sample rate and bit depth of a session.

Handle Duration specifies the amount of additional audio to include at the start and end of trimmed clips. For greater flexibility in future trimming and fading adjustments, add handles of up to 10 seconds. each.

Export multitrack mixdown files

After you finish mixing a session, you can export all or part of it in a variety of common formats. When you export, the resulting file reflects current volume, pan, and effects settings routed to the mix track.

To quickly mix specific audio clips down to a single track, use the Multitrack  > Bounce to New Track command.

Audio format settings

In most cases, you should save uncompressed audio in AIFF or WAV format. Save to the compressed MP3 format only when creating files for the web or portable media players.

In a Save As or Export dialog box, select Change to the right of Format Settings to access the options below.

AIFF format settings (*aif, *.aiff, *.aifc)

AIFF is the standard uncompressed audio file format on Mac OS.

• Sample Type (available only for 32-bit files): Sets the audio bit depth. Higher bit depths provide more dynamic range and reduce distortion, though they increase file size and processing time. Integer settings clip audio that extends beyond the amplitude range for a given bit depth. Floating Point settings require slightly more storage space, but retain much greater dynamic range. Choose 32-bit Floating Point if you want to repeatedly process the file and discard minimal amplitude data.
• Byte Order (available only for 16-bit files): Specifies the numerical sequence for bytes of data. Choose the Little-Endian method for systems with Intel processors and the Big-Endian method for systems with PowerPC processors.

Monkey's Audio format settings (.ape)

Monkey's Audio compresses files to roughly half their original size, using a lossless algorithm that retains sonic fidelity.

• Compression: Determines the tradeoff between processing speed and file size. (Fast processing produces larger file sizes, and vice versa.)
  
  

MP2 Audio format settings

MP2 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer II) is a lossy compression format particularly popular in radio broadcasting.

• Channel Mode: Choose one of the following:
  • Automatic selects an option below based on the file's current channel configuration.
    
  • Mono produces a one-channel file.
  • Dual Mono produces a two-channel file with identical audio in both channels.
    
  • Stereo produces a two-channel file by processing channels independently and retaining stereo imagery.
    
  • Joint Stereo processes both channels together, reducing file size, but often affecting stereo imagery.
    
    

• Bitrate: Adjusts the tradeoff between file size and audio quality. Higher settings increase size and quality and lower settings reduce them.

For information about Advanced options, position the mouse over them until a tool tip appears.

MP3 format settings

MP3 is the standard compressed audio format for online distribution.

• Type: Select Constant to apply a consistent bitrate or Variable to change the bitrate based on audio content.

• Bitrate (for constant bitrates) or Quality (for variable): Adjusts the tradeoff between file size and audio quality. Higher settings increase size and quality and lower settings reduce them.

QuickTime format settings (audio-only *.mov)

You cannot adjust format settings for audio-only QuickTime files, which are always saved as uncompressed PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data.

Wave PCM format settings (.wav, .bwf)

Wave PCM is the standard uncompressed audio format on Windows. You can include Broadcast Wave metadata in Windows PCM files. 

• Sample Type (available only for 32-bit files): Sets the audio bit depth. Higher bit depths provide more dynamic range and reduce distortion, though they increase file size and processing time. Integer settings clip audio that extends beyond the amplitude range for a given bit depth. Floating Point settings require slightly more storage space but retain much greater dynamic range.

• 4GB Plus Support: Stores files larger than 4GB using either RF64 format, which reflects the current European Broadcasting Union standard, or the Multiple Data Chunks format supported by older versions of Audition.

libsndfile, FLAC, and OGG format settings

The following options are shared by a wide range of formats.

• Format: Specifies the file format and extension.
• Encoding: Specifies the data storage scheme for the file.
• Byte Order: Specifies the numerical sequence for bytes of data. The Default Byte Order automatically applies the default for your system processor and is typically the best option.
• VBR Quality (OGG files only): Determines the tradeoff between file size and audio quality. (Higher settings produce larger files, but better quality.)

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