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Effects controls

Last updated on Mar 28, 2023

Effects Rack lets you apply several audio effects to your audio tracks at the same time. It's simply a container for audio processing tools such as EQ, compression, reverb, delay, distortion, etc.

Effects Rack overview

The Effects Rack lets you insert, edit, and reorder up to 16 effects, optimize mix levels, and store favorite presets. Most rack controls appear in both the Waveform and Multitrack editors.

ef01 — Controls shared by the Waveform and Multitrack editors

A. Rack Preset controls B. Effect slots C. Level controls D. Main Power button

Controls unique to the Waveform Editor

In the Waveform editor, the Effects Rack provides a Process menu. This menu lets you modify a selection or the entire file, and an Apply button that permanently applies effects.

Test 3 — Controls unique to the Waveform Editor

Controls unique to the Multitrack Editor

The Effects Rack provides Pre-render Track and FX Pre/Post-Fader buttons that you use to optimize and route effects. Each clip and track has its own Effects Rack, which is saved with the session.

Note:

Buses and the Mix track lack a Pre-render option because processing effects from all source tracks would reduce performance.

Multitrack editor — Controls unique to the Multitrack Editor

Set input, output, and mix levels in racks

To optimize volume, adjust Input and Output levels so their meters peak without clipping.
To change the percentage of processed audio, drag the Mix slider. 100% (Wet) equals fully processed audio; 0% (Dry) equals original, unprocessed audio.

Insert, bypass, reorder, or remove effects in racks

In the Effects Rack, you manage groups of effects by using individual effect slots.

Note:

In the Multitrack Editor, the fx section of the Editor panel or Mixer provides quick access to slots in the Effects Rack.

To insert an effect, choose it from a slot’s pop‑up menu. Then adjust effect settings as desired.
To bypass an effect, select its Power button .
To bypass all effects, click the main Power button in the lower left corner of a rack. You can also select the fx power button in the Editor panel or Mixer.
To bypass a selected group of effects, choose Toggle Power State of Selected Effects from the panel menu .

Note:

Bypass effects to quickly compare processed and unprocessed audio.
To remove a single effect, choose Remove Effect from a slot’s pop‑up menu. Or select the slot and press Delete.
To remove all effects, choose Remove All Effects from the panel menu .
To reorder effects, drag them to different slots.

Note:

Reordering effects produces different sonic results. (For an example, place Reverb before Phaser, or the other way around.)

Copy or paste effects from Effects Rack

You can copy or paste effects from one track to another in Waveform and Multitrack modes.

Select effects from Effects Rack (either Waveform or Multitrack mode) and select Edit> Copy or press Ctrl + C.
Select the track or clip you want the effect to be pasted. Paste the effects under Effects Rack (either Waveform or Multitrack mode) by selecting Edit> Paste or pressing Ctrl + V.

Use effect presets

Many effects provide presets that let you store and recall favorite settings. In addition to effect‑specific presets, the Effects Rack provides rack presets that store groups of effects and settings.

To apply a preset, choose it from the Presets menu.
To save current settings as a preset, select the Save effects rack as a preset save button to save setting.
To delete a preset, select it, and select the Delete preset button .

Note:

To modify an existing preset, apply it, adjust settings as desired, and then save a new preset with the same name.

Control effect settings with graphs

Many Adobe Audition effects provide graphs where you can adjust parameters. By adding and moving control points on the graph, you can precisely tailor effect settings.

Graph control points function together with related numerical settings. If you change or disable a numerical setting, the related graph control follows suit.

In the effects control graph, you can view the Frequency Spectrum that moves per audio frequency in real time. You can use the frequency spectrum to identify imbalances in audio and use control points to correct them.

To move a point on a graph, drag it to a new location.

Note:

The following techniques don’t apply to the DeHummer, Mixing, Full Reverb, Parametric Equalizer, and Track EQ graphs.
To add a control point to a graph, click in the grid at the location where you want to place the point.
To enter numeric values for a control point, right‑click it, and choose Edit Point
To remove a point from a graph, drag it off the graph.
To return a graph to its default state, click the Reset button .

About spline curves for graphs

By default, graphs display straight lines between control points. However, some graphs provide a Spline Curves option that creates a curve between control points for smoother transitions.

When you use spline curves, lines don’t travel directly through control points. Instead, the points control the shape of the curve. To move the curve closer to a control point, click near it to create a cluster of control points.

ef06 — Graph with straight lines compared to graph with spline curves

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