Analyze phase, frequency, and amplitude with Audition

Adobe Audition provides several ways to analyze audio. To compare phase relationships between any two channels, use the Phase Meter panel. To analyze tonal and dynamic range, use the Frequency Analysis and Amplitude Statistics panels.

The Waveform Editor also provides Spectral Frequency Display, which you can use together with the analysis methods above. (See Displaying audio in the Waveform Editor.)

The Phase Meter panel reveals out‑of‑phase channels for stereo and surround waveforms, which you can address with the Effects > Invert command. (See Invert a waveform.) This panel also helps you identify highly in-phase channels that will sound similar if summed to mono. (See Convert a waveform between surround, stereo, and mono.)

In the Phase Meter, audio to the left is more out of phase, while audio to the right is more in phase. -1.0 reflects total phase cancellation, while 1.0 reflects identical audio content in each channel.

Analyze frequency range

You can use the Frequency Analysis panel to identify problematic frequency bands, which you can then correct with a filter effect.

Frequency Analysis options

Displays the frequency scale either logarithmically (reflecting human hearing) or linearly (providing more detail for upper frequencies).

Copies a text report of the frequency data to the system clipboard.

Let you take up to eight frequency snapshots as a waveform is playing. The frequency outline (which is rendered in the same color as the button clicked) is frozen on the graph and overlaid on other frequency outlines. To clear a frozen frequency outline, click its corresponding Hold button again.

Changes the graph display. Choose one of the following styles:

Displays amplitude at each frequency with simple lines. By default, the left channel is green; the right is blue.

Also displays lines for amplitude, but fills the area beneath the lines in a solid color, and smooths out amplitude differences in the same area.

Shows the effect of analysis resolution by splitting the display into rectangular segments. The higher the FFT size, the greater the analysis resolution, and the narrower the bars.

Determines which channel of a stereo or surround file appears over others in the graph. To combine displayed channels, choose Average.

Scans the entire file or selection, and displays average frequency data in the graph. (By default, the graph displays data from the center point of files and selections.)

Advanced options

Specifies the Fast Fourier Transform size. Higher FFT sizes report frequency data more accurately but they require longer processing times.

Determines the Fast Fourier transform shape. These functions are listed in order from narrowest to widest. Narrower functions include fewer surrounding frequencies but less precisely reflect center frequencies. Wider functions include more surrounding frequencies but more precisely reflect center frequencies. The Hamming and Blackman options provide excellent overall results.

Determines the amplitude at which full scale, 0 dBFS audio data is displayed. For example, a value of zero displays 0 dBFS audio at 0 dB. A value of 30 displays 0 dBFS audio at –30 dB. This value simply moves the graph up or down; it does not change the amplitude of audio data.

Tip: Adjust the 0 dB Reference to calibrate this display to another decibel reference, like sound pressure level (SPL).

Reveals precise amplitude for specific frequencies when you position the mouse over the graph.

For the start point of a selected range, indicates average frequency.

For the start point of a selected range, indicates keyboard position and variance from standard tuning (A440). For example, A2 +7 equals the second‑lowest A on a keyboard tuned 7% higher than normal.

Zoom frequency graphs

In the Frequency Analysis panel, you can zoom graphs to analyze frequency in more detail.

Analyze amplitude

General options

Shows the sample with the highest amplitude in decibel form.

Shows the sample with the highest amplitude.

Shows the sample with the lowest amplitude.

Shows the number of samples have likely exceeded 0 dBFS. Click the icon  to the right of this value to navigate to the first clipped sample in the audio file. (If necessary, click the icon again to view subsequent clipped samples.)

Show the root-mean-square values of the selection. RMS values are based on the prevalence of specific amplitudes, often reflecting perceived loudness better than absolute or average amplitudes.

Shows any direct current offset applied to the waveform during recording. Positive values are above the center line, and negative values are below it. (See Correct DC offset.)

Reports the waveform’s bit depth. (32 indicates that the waveform uses the full 32‑bit float range).

Reflects the difference between the Maximum and Minimum RMS Amplitude.

Shows the dynamic range minus unusually long periods of low RMS amplitude, such as silent passages.

Shows the average amplitude.

Compensates for the human ear’s emphasis on middle frequencies.

Copies all statistics on the General tab to the system clipboard.

RMS Settings options

To adjust how RMS statistics are calculated, set the following options:

Correspond the dB level to a full‑scale sine wave, where peak amplitude is about 3.01 dB quieter than a full-scale square wave.

Corresponds the dB level to a full‑scale square wave, where peak amplitude is about 3.01 dB louder than a full‑scale sine wave.

Ignores any DC offset in the measurements.

Specifies the number of milliseconds in each RMS window. A selected range contains a series of such windows, which Adobe Audition averages to calculate the Minimum RMS and Maximum RMS values. To achieve the most accurate RMS values, use wide windows for audio with a wide dynamic range, and narrow windows for audio with a narrow dynamic range.