Diagnostics effects (Waveform Editor only) for Audition

Diagnostics are available either via the Effects menu or directly from the Diagnostics panel (Window > Diagnostics). These tools let you quickly remove clicks, distortion, or silence from audio, as well as add markers where silence occurs.

Unlike conventional noise reduction effects, which process all selected audio, diagnostics scan for problematic or silent areas, and then let you choose which to address.

DeClicker options

The Diagnostics > DeClicker effect detects and removes clicks and pops from wireless microphones, vinyl records, and other sources.

DeClicker options match those for the Automatic Click Remover, which you can combine with other effects in the Effects Rack and apply in the Multitrack Editor. (See Automatic Click Remover effect.) That effect also applies multiple scan and repair passes automatically; to achieve the same level of click reduction with the DeClicker, you must manually apply it multiple times. However, the DeClicker lets you evaluate detected clicks and choose which to address.

In the Diagnostics panel, click Settings to access these options:

Determines sensitivity to noise. Lower settings detect more clicks and pops but may include audio you wish to retain. Settings range from 1 to 100; the default is 30.

Indicates the complexity of noise. Higher settings apply more processing but can degrade audio quality. Settings range from 1 to 100; the default is 16.

DeClipper options

The Diagnostics > DeClipper effect repairs clipped waveforms by filling in clipped sections with new audio data. Clipping occurs when audio amplitude exceeds the maximum level for the current bit depth. Commonly, clipping results from recording levels that are too high. You can monitor clipping during recording or playback by watching the Level Meters; when clipping occurs, the boxes on the far right of the meters turn red.

Visually, clipped audio appears as broad flat areas at the top of a waveform. Sonically, clipped audio is a static‑like distortion.

In the Diagnostics panel, click Settings to access these options:

Specifies the amount of attenuation that occurs before processing. Click Auto to base the gain setting on average input amplitude.

Specifies the amplitude variation in clipped regions. A value of 0% detects clipping only in perfectly horizontal lines at maximum amplitude; 1% detects clipping beginning at 1% below maximum amplitude, and so on. (A value of 1% detects most clipping.)

Specifies the length of the shortest run of clipped samples to repair. Lower values repair a higher percentage of clipped samples; higher values repair clipped samples only if they’re preceded or followed other clipped samples.

The Cubic option uses spline curves to re-create the frequency content of clipped audio. This approach is faster for most situations but can introduce spurious new frequencies. The FFT option uses Fast Fourier transforms to re-create clipped audio. This approach is typically slower but best for severe clipping. From the FFT Size menu, choose the number of frequency bands to evaluate and replace. (More bands result in greater accuracy but longer processing.)

Delete Silence and Mark Audio options

The Diagnostics > Delete Silence and Mark Audio effects identify silent passages of audio and either remove or mark them. (See Working with markers.) Automatically deleting silence helps you tighten up tracks without affecting foreground audio. Automatically marking silence helps you quickly navigate to audio cues for editing.

In the Diagnostics panel, click Settings to access these options:

Specifies the amplitude and duration identified as silence.

Specifies the amplitude and duration identified as audio content.

Automatically calculates the signal levels of silence and audio based on content in the file.

Choose Shortening Silence to reduce silent passages to the specified number of milliseconds. Choose Deleting Silence to mute silent passages but retain file length. (Deleting silence helps maintain video synchronization with audio clips in video editing applications.)