Getting Started
Adobe Audition CC is a professional audio application that combines advanced digital audio editing and multitrack recording in the same program. This unique approach integrates the two elements so that, for example, audio used in a multitrack project can be edited with great detail in the digital audio editor, and then be transferred back to the Multitrack Session. Mixdowns (mono, stereo, or surround) exported from the Multitrack Session are available automatically within the digital audio editor, where a variety of mastering tools are available to polish and “sweeten” the mix. The final mix can then be burned to a recordable CD, which is created according to the standard Red Book specification, uploaded to the SoundCloud file-sharing service, or converted into “web-friendly,” data-compressed formats like MP3 and FLAC. In addition, the Multitrack Editor has a video window that enables recording sound tracks and narration in Audition while previewing HD video.
Audition also integrates with Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects via Adobe Dynamic Link. You can export mixes from Audition, but also, both Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects will reflect edits you make in Audition as a project progresses. You can even open up a multitrack Audition project from within Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects and edit individual tracks, and then incorporate those edits into your video project.
Audition is a cross-platform, 64-bit native application that runs equally well on Macintosh or Windows computers. Thanks to combining two programs within a single, integrated application, Audition has multiple uses, including restoring audio, multitrack recording for musicians, mastering, sound design, broadcast, video-game sound, narration and voice-overs, file format conversion, small-scale CD production, and even forensics. Fortunately, all of these features are available in a clean, easy-to-use, straightforward interface whose workflow has benefited from over a decade of continuous development and refinement.
The latest version, Audition CC, deepens the level of integration with Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects for easy exchange of files and even complete sequences. This greatly simplifies the process of creating a sound track that reflects changes in the video due to editing. Significant editing enhancements, particularly with respect to audio restoration, as well as advanced metering for broadcast and other applications are also included. Audition’s second-generation Automatic Speech Alignment process greatly simplifies ADR. Long-time Audition users will appreciate the many little extras that enhance workflow and audio quality, whereas those new to Audition will welcome its depth and flexibility.
About Classroom in a Book
Adobe Audition CC Classroom in a Book is part of the official training series for Adobe graphics, audio, and video publishing software developed with the support of Adobe product experts. The lessons are designed to let you learn at your own pace. If you’re new to Adobe Audition, you’ll learn the fundamental concepts and features needed to start mastering the program. And, if you’ve been using Adobe Audition for a while, you’ll find that Classroom in a Book teaches basic to intermediate features, and includes tips and techniques for using the latest version of the application for a wide variety of projects.
Although each lesson focuses on providing step-by-step instructions to reach specific goals, there’s room for exploration and experimentation. You can follow the book from start to finish, or do only the lessons that match your interests and needs. Each lesson offers an introduction that explains what you can expect to learn from a chapter and concludes with a review section summarizing what you’ve covered.
What’s in this book
This edition covers many new features in Adobe Audition CC and how to apply them optimally in real-world situations. It addresses audio and music professionals who depend on Audition’s tools to accomplish a variety of tasks, as well as videographers who want to become more involved in the process of creating, editing, and sweetening audio intended for video productions.
The book is organized into three parts. The introduction starts with how to get audio in and out of Audition on Mac and Windows platforms, and then progresses to an overview of the Audition Workspace—a collection of modules, each dedicated to specific tasks, that you can open, close, and rearrange, depending on the nature of the project, to optimize workflow and efficiency. The second part concentrates on digital audio editing in the Waveform Editor and covers such topics as editing, signal processing and effects, audio restoration, mastering, and sound design. To segue into the third part, it also covers recording and integration with the Multitrack Editor.
The final section covers the Multitrack Editor in detail, including editing, automation, creating music with sound libraries, and in-depth coverage of mixing. Throughout the book, examples using digital audio clips created specifically for this book provide practical, hands-on experience that brings to life the theory presented in these pages. Even nonmusicians will learn how to create music using sound libraries and loops in conjunction with Audition’s extensive toolset for sound creation and editing. You’ll also learn how to do rough testing of your room acoustics prior to mixing, using the tools within Audition.
As you progress through the lessons, you’ll also discover many time-saving features Audition offers, such as file conversion, automation, Multitrack and Waveform Editor integration, clip automation, time-stretching, and more. All of these functions can help you meet deadlines more easily than ever before—and that alone is a good reason to become familiar with Audition’s workflow, capabilities, and user interface.
Prerequisites
Before you begin to use Adobe Audition CC Classroom in a Book, you should have a working knowledge of your computer and its operating system. Make sure that you know how to use the mouse and standard menus and commands, and also how to open, save, and close files. If you need to review these techniques, see the help files and other documentation included with your Microsoft® Windows® or Apple® Mac® OS X system. It’s also highly recommended that you read over the introduction to the Audition manual that covers digital audio basics.
You’ll also need the ability to get audio in and out of your computer. Virtually all computers include onboard audio capabilities (audio input for recording, and internal speakers or a headphone jack for monitoring), but be aware that these use consumer-grade components, and although adequate, will not showcase what Audition can do to the fullest extent. Professional and “prosumer” audio interfaces are available at very reasonable costs, and are recommended not just for doing the lessons in this book, but also for any future audio work involving computers.
Installing Adobe Audition
Before you begin using Adobe Audition CC Classroom in a Book, make sure that your computer is set up correctly and that it meets the necessary system requirements for software and hardware. You must subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud to obtain Adobe Audition CC software, and then install it from Adobe Creative Cloud onto your hard disk. For system requirements and complete instructions on installing the software, visit www.adobe.com/support.
Audition is a very efficient program, and its 64-bit native operation takes full advantage of modern processors and memory handling. However, as with most audio and video programs, having sufficient RAM is essential for a smooth computing experience. Although Audition will run with 1 GB of RAM, for multitrack recording 2 GB is better, and 4 GB is preferable. The 64-bit versions of Mac OS X and Windows 7/8 have no practical limitation on how much RAM they can address, so 8 GB of RAM or more is highly recommended. For more information on system requirements, please go to www.adobe.com/products/audition/tech-specs.html.
Starting Adobe Audition
You start Audition the same way as you do most software applications.
• To start Adobe Audition in Windows 7 (64-bit): Choose Start > All Programs > Adobe Audition CC.
• To start Adobe Audition in Windows 8 (64-bit): Click or touch the Audition CC tile on the Start screen.
• To start Adobe Audition in Mac OS X 10.7 or 10.8: Open the Applications/Adobe Audition CC folder, and then double-click the Adobe Audition CC application icon.
Accessing the Classroom in a Book files
In order to work through the projects in this book, you will need to download the lesson files from peachpit.com. You can download the files for individual lessons, or download them all in a single file. Although each lesson stands alone, some lessons use files from other lessons, so you’ll need to keep the entire collection of lesson assets on your computer as you work through the book.
Note
The Account page also contains one bonus lesson, Lesson 16, “Audio/Video Applications.” A PDF of this chapter is located in the Bonus Chapters folder listed under the Lesson & Update Files tab, and its lesson files are located in the Lessons folder.
To access the Classroom in a Book files:
1. On a Mac or Windows computer, go to www.peachpit.com/redeem and enter the code found at the back of your book.
2. If you do not have a Peachpit.com account, you will be prompted to create one.
3. The downloadable files will be listed on the Lesson & Update Files tab on your Account page.
4. Click the lesson file links to download them to your computer.
Restoring default preferences
The preferences files store information about panel and command settings. Each time you quit Adobe Audition CC, the positions of the panels and certain command settings are recorded in the respective preferences file. Any selections you make in the Preferences dialog box are also saved in the preferences file.
Many lessons recommend restoring a particular set of preferences so that what you see onscreen matches the images and instructions in this book. However, one of Audition’s great features is the ease with which you can customize a workspace to your needs, so feel free to adopt whatever layout you like. Just be aware that your screen may not match the images in the book exactly.
Additional resources
Adobe Audition CC Classroom in a Book is not meant to replace documentation that comes with the program or to be a comprehensive reference for every feature. Only the commands and options used in the lessons are explained in this book. For comprehensive information about program features and tutorials, please refer to these resources:
Adobe Audition Help and Support: www.adobe.com/support/audition is where you can find and browse Help and Support content on adobe.com. Adobe Audition Help and Adobe Audition Support Center are accessible from Audition’s Help menu.
Adobe Creative Cloud Learning: For inspiration, key techniques, cross-product workflows, and updates on new features, go to the Creative Cloud Learn page https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/tutorials.html. This is available only to Creative Cloud members.
Adobe Forums: forums.adobe.com lets you tap into peer-to-peer discussions, questions, and answers on Adobe products. The Audition forum is accessible from Audition’s Help menu.
Adobe TV: tv.adobe.com is an online video resource for expert instruction and inspiration about Adobe products, including a How To channel to get you started with your product.
Adobe Design Center: www.adobe.com/designcenter offers thoughtful articles on design and design issues, a gallery showcasing the work of top-notch designers, tutorials, and more.
Resources for educators: www.adobe.com/education and http://edex.adobe.com offer a treasure trove of information for instructors who teach classes on Adobe software. Find solutions for education at all levels, including free curricula that use an integrated approach to teaching Adobe software and can be used to prepare for the Adobe Certified Associate exams.
Also check out these useful links:
Adobe Audition CC product home page: www.adobe.com/products/audition.
Adobe Labs: labs.adobe.com gives you access to early builds of cutting-edge technology, as well as forums where you can interact with the Adobe development teams building that technology and other like-minded members of the community.
Audition and social media
For the latest news and Audition-related events, follow Adobe Audition on Twitter at twitter.com/#!/Audition. The Twitter feed is also accessible from Audition’s Help menu.
You can also find Adobe Audition on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AdobeAudition. This Facebook page is also accessible from Audition’s Help menu.
Adobe certification
The Adobe training and certification programs are designed to help Adobe customers improve and promote their product-proficiency skills. There are four levels of certification:
• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)
• Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)
• Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI)
• Adobe Authorized Training Center (AATC)
The Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) credential certifies that individuals have the entry-level skills to plan, design, build, and maintain effective communications using different forms of digital media.
The Adobe Certified Expert program is a way for expert users to upgrade their credentials. You can use Adobe certification as a catalyst for getting a raise, finding a job, or promoting your expertise.
If you are an ACE-level instructor, the Adobe Certified Instructor program takes your skills to the next level and gives you access to a wide range of Adobe resources.
Adobe Authorized Training Centers offer instructor-led courses and training on Adobe products, employing only Adobe Certified Instructors. A directory of AATCs is available at http://training.adobe.com/training/partner-finder.html.
For information on the Adobe Certified programs, visit http://training.adobe.com/home.html.