Adobe Audition recording software provides key tools which work well in a variety of voiceover studio workflows. It’s a highly refined application, providing both efficient detail waveform editing and highly customizable tools, as well as a usable multitrack recording mode if you need it.
I’ve been using versions of Adobe Audition since AA 1.5 (just after the Cool Edit Pro days). It’s my strong recommendation as a reliable recording and editing environment for anyone recording in a home voiceover studio environment. If Twisted Wave didn’t exist, I’d likely migrate to Audition for my recording and production environment.
Adobe Audition solves three basic issues which voice actors deal with in their daily workflow:
- Adobe Audition provides detailed waveform rendering to screen with intuitive zoom/scroll behavior, which allows for precise and efficient editing of audio.
- Adobe Audition comes with a robust set of included tools and effects, plus it allows third-party plug-ins, giving you the ability to use exactly the processing you need for best results.
- Adobe Audition gives you the ability to combine a stack of multiple effects through the Adobe Effects Rack, and the power of a robust Batch Processor for automatic repetitive processes.
Additionally, Adobe Audition has some very helpful tools:
- It provides “Mix Paste” which allows inserting audio without changing timing, which is very similar to Twisted Wave’s “Special Paste“.
- It has a spectral view option which provides frequency information. (I still prefer the Izotope RX Spectral view overall).
- It has a multitrack option for the infrequent times when you need to layer multiple audio tracks together and generate a composite result.
- It has a “Punch In” recording option which allows Punch and Roll editing for longer form projects such as audiobooks. The “Record” function allows both “overwriting” and “insert” modes.
Adobe’s Native Effects Are Solid Tools
Delivering finished audio to eLearning, audiobook, or commercial clients often requires additional processing. (If you want to learn more about this, I’d recommend my “Post Production Polishing” workshop). Adobe Audition includes a selection of native Effect Plugins which let you be precise in your voiceover production workflow.
Adobe Audition’s Hard Limiter
The Hard Limiter uses a logical pre-gain adjustment and (unlike the stock Apple AUPeakLimiter) allows you to set a useful Maximum Amplitude. This helps you to meet audiobook specs, which often contain a “Max Peak” value for your recordings.
Adobe Audition’s Parametric Equalizer
Adobe’s Parametric Equalizer (EQ) is easy to use and gives a nice range of adjustable points. There’s a specific High Pass and Low Pass filter, as well as five standard Q-adjustable points throughout. Plus Audition’s Parametric provides separate high and low shelf filters.
Adobe Audition’s DeEsser
Adobe’s DeEsser has an exceptionally understandable user interface, allowing you to pinpoint those hissy frequencies in your voice recordings.
Adobe Audition Licensing
One of the sticking points for new voice actors is the pricing. Adobe Audition is a subscription-based service. That means you’ll pay around $20/month to use it. (Of course, many creatives already have the “CS” (Creative Suite) subscription from Adobe, and those packages may already include Adobe Audition. If you are paying for Photoshop or Premiere, you might see if you are also getting Audition as well.)
What you get for that monthly investment is software that is continually supported and updated. Personally, I think that leads to better software. With other software products, there may be a finite charge when you buy it, but a year or two down the line, there will likely be a version update that requires more money. Over a few years, the math pretty much evens out.
New to Adobe Audition? Start Here!
If you have never used Adobe Audition for voiceover recording and editing, I’d be happy to share a quick walkthrough session with you – just reserve one of my Free 15 Minute New Client Sessions here and let me know you want to get introduced to a basic Adobe Audition workflow.
Individual Instruction for Adobe Audition
Over the years I’ve worked directly with hundreds of voice actors to get them up and running with a strong recording workflow for voiceover. Whether you are an experienced audio engineer or need to know the basics of setup, file type, and how the heck to even get your computer to record stuff, I’m happy to work with you to get up and running quickly.
New to Voiceover Recording? Start here!
If you are completely new to the recording with your computer – or have only used the various “free” versions of recording software, it’s best to start with a “Basics” session – we’ll cover downloading and installing Adobe, setup of your system, how to navigate and organize your studio recordings, and best practices of VO recording in one hour session.
Click here to reserve an hour session
Want to go deeper with Adobe Audition?
If you have installed Adobe Audition, but feel you are only scratching the surface, a two hour Audition Tuneup Plan will refine your workflow and make this software your trusted studio partner. (I usually recommend two separate 1 hour sessions so you can work with this deeply powerful recording software in stages and create a solid foundation before moving on).
Click here to reserve a two hour session
If you have a specific question regarding Adobe Audition for either MacOS or Windows, please use the form below –
If you are looking for more general voiceover recording instructions, please visit my “Audio and Recording Classes for Voiceover” page.
I’m always happy to work with you to provide specific improvements to your workflow, recommendations for voiceover equipment, automating processes and more – visit my “Home Voiceover Studio Setup, Recording Consulting & Coaching” page.
