Save and export audio files

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. (See Audio format settings.) 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 series of formats and presets that allow you to render and publish high-quality audio and video output from Audition.

To export a multitrack session using Adobe Media Encoder:

1. Choose File > Export > Export with Adobe Media Encoder. 
2. Specify a filename and location.
3. By default, only the mix track is exported with Adobe Media Encoder. To configure the routing of the tracks in your multitrack session to the channels in the output file, click Change.
4. To export a specfic part of the project instead of always rendering the full timeline, use Range to choose between the current Time Selection or the range of the Video Clip.
   

To learn more about using Adobe Media Encoder to render and export your output, see Encode video or audio items in Adobe Media Encoder. 

Note: To use the export workflow from Audition to Media Encoder, make sure that you are using the most recent version of both the application.

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.

Audition automatically opens each extracted file in the Editor panel.

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, however, see 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, click the Copy Warnings button .

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 ambience common to several related shows.

1. Choose File > Export > Session As Template. Then specify a name and location.
   
2. To apply a template to a new session, choose File > New > Multitrack Session. Then choose an option from the Template menu.
   

Export session archives

To combine session and source files for easy transfer to other computers or storage devices, export session archives.

1. Choose File > Export > Session.
2. Select Save Copies Of Associated Files, and then click Options.
   
3. To save source files in a different format, select Convert Files, and set options as desired.
   
4. To export full or trimmed source files, choose from the Media Options menu.
   

Export multitrack mixdown files

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

Audio format settings

In most cases, you should save uncompressed audio to the AIFF or WAV formats. 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, click 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.

Sets the audio bit depth. Higher bit depths provide more dynamic range and reduce distortion, though they increase file size and processing time. To determine the proper setting for common output types, see Understanding bit depth.

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.

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.

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.

Choose one of the following:

• Automatic selects an option below based on the current channel configuation of the file.
  
  
• 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, processing channels independently, and retaining stereo imagery.
  
  
• Joint Stereo processes both channels together, reducing file size, but often affecting stereo imagery.
  
  

Adjusts the tradeoff between file size and audio quality. Higher settings increase size and quality; lower settings reduce size and quality.

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.

Choose Constant to apply a consistent bitrate or Variable to change the bitrate based on audio content.

Adjusts the tradeoff between file size and audio quality. Higher settings increase size and quality; lower settings reduce size and quality.

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.

Sets the audio bit depth. Higher bit depths provide more dynamic range and reduce distortion, though they increase file size and processing time. To determine the proper setting for common output types, see Understanding bit depth.

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.

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.

Note: To ensure compatibility with a wide range of applications, choose the RF64 format for files greater than 4GB.

libsndfile, FLAC, and OGG format settings

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

Specifies the file format and extension.

Specifies the data storage scheme for the file.

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.

Determines the tradeoff between file size and audio quality. (Higher settings produce larger files, but better quality.)

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