Recording audio

You can record audio from a microphone or any device you can plug into the Line In port of a sound card. Before recording, you have to adjust the input signal to optimize signal‑to‑noise levels. (See either Adjust recording levels for standard sound cards or the documentation for a professional card.)

Correct DC offset

Some sound cards record with a slight DC offset, in which direct current is introduced into the signal, causing the center of the waveform to be offset from the zero point (the center line in the waveform display). DC offset can cause a click or pop at the beginning and end of a file.

Direct‑to‑file recording in the Multitrack Editor

In the Multitrack Editor, Adobe Audition automatically saves each recorded clip directly to a WAV file. Direct‑to‑file recording lets you quickly record and save multiple clips, providing tremendous flexibility.

Inside the session folder, you find each recorded clip in the [session name]_Recorded folder. Clip filenames begin with the track name, followed by the take number (for example, Track 1_003.wav).

After recording, you can edit takes to produce a polished final mix. For example, if you create multiple takes of a guitar solo, you can combine the best sections of each solo. (See Trimming and extending clips.) Or, you can use one version of the solo for a video soundtrack, and another version for an audio CD.

Record audio clips in the Multitrack Editor

In the Multitrack Editor, you can record audio on multiple tracks by overdubbing. When you overdub tracks, you listen to previously recorded tracks and play along with them to create sophisticated, layered compositions. Each recording becomes a new audio clip on a track.

Punch into a selected range

If you’re dissatisfied with a time range of a recorded clip, you can select that range and punch in a new recording, leaving the original clip intact. Though you can record into a specific range without punching in, punching in lets you hear audio immediately before and after a range; that audio provides vital context that helps you create natural transitions.

For important or difficult sections, you can punch in multiple takes, and then select or edit takes to create the best performance.

Adobe Audition plays the audio preceding the selection, records during the selected range, and then resume playback.

Punch in during playback

If you don’t wish to punch a specific range, you can quickly punch into a general area during playback.

Punch and Roll

This record mode allows you to record audio using the punch and roll technique with pre-roll, visual countdown, and Punch Again functionality. When recording is done on this mode, playback runs for the specified pre-roll duration before the recording punches in at the desired point. The pre-roll duration can be configured on the Playback and Recording Preferences page.

To record, follow these steps:

Punch again

Punch Again command stops active playback or recording and starts a Punch and Roll recording from the last punch in point.

Choose punch-in takes

If you punch in multiple takes, Adobe Audition layers the takes over each other in the Editor panel. To choose between takes, do the following:

Timed Record Mode

Timed Record Mode can be used to schedule recording for a later time when you may not be available to manually start or end the recording process. To record, follow these steps:

Overwrite and Insert modes in Waveform editor

• Overwrite: Select this mode and position the playhead where you would like to overwrite audio and press record.
• Insert: This mode allows you to insert audio at a given point while not overwriting the clip. Position the playhead where you would like begin recording and press Record.
  

Input monitoring

Input monitoring allows you to preview the incoming input from your recording device. This needs to be done before starting the actual recording by either observing the level meters or listening to it.
Click the [I] button on the track header controls or in the mixer to enable input monitoring. The [R] button arms the track for recording. This affects the audio routing depending on your preferences.

The track level meters reflect the audio coming from your input device and is routed to the track output.
Adobe Audition offers two input monitoring modes that are activated when you arm a track for record.

• Input metering: Enable the input metering check box to view the input levels on the track level meter when the transport is stopped or recording.
To enable input metering, follow these steps:

1. Select Adobe Audition > Preferences > Multitrack.

2. Enable the enable input metering check box.
 

For more information about level meters, see Level meters overview.

• Smart monitoring: Smart monitoring automatically enables input monitoring during recording, and while the player is stopped, allowing for better overdubs.

While the transport is stopped, you can hear the audio input. For example, communicate with your speaker. After starting playback, the input is disregarded and you only hear the content of the track playing. This helps you find the perfect punch-in point. You can then listen to the recorded audio.

To enable input monitoring, follow these steps:

1. Select Adobe Audition > Preferences > Multitrack.

2. Enable the enable smart monitoring check box.