Adobe Audition 2020 for Mac v13.0.2 Tutorial

Adobe Audition 2020 for Mac v13.0.2 Tutorial

I. Software Positioning and Core Value

Adobe Audition 2020 is a professional digital audio workstation (DAW) focused on audio post-production, restoration, mixing, and mastering. Unlike Premiere Pro, which is positioned for video editing, Audition is a pure audio processing tool with professional-grade performance in podcast production, music post-production, film and television voiceover, and audio restoration.
Its core value is reflected in three aspects:
  1. Professional restoration capabilities: Powerful tools for noise reduction, de-essing, and fixing clipping
  2. Precise editing features: Sample-level waveform editing and multitrack mixing
  3. Efficient workflow: Seamless audio round-trip editing with Premiere Pro

II. Installation and System Optimization Configuration

System Requirements and Installation

  • Minimum system: macOS 10.13 or later
  • Recommended configuration: 16GB RAM, SSD, and a sound card supporting ASIO or Core Audio
  • Installation notes: Make sure to close all Adobe-related programs before installing, and avoid Chinese characters in the installation path

Preferences Optimization Settings

Go to Audition > Preferences for key settings:
  1. Audio Hardware settings
    • Device type: Select Core Audio (native to macOS)
    • Default input/output: Select your professional sound card or the system default device
    • Sample rate: Set to 44100Hz or 48000Hz (consistent with the project)
    • Buffer size: Set to 128-256 samples (low-latency editing)
  2. Memory and Performance
    • Reserve memory for other applications: It is recommended to set it to 20-30%
    • Enable playback pre-rendering: Check this to reduce CPU load
  3. Media and Disk Cache
    • Specify a dedicated cache folder on the SSD
    • Set the cache size to 10-20GB

III. Core Interface and Workspace

Three Main Editing Views

  1. Waveform View: Single-track sample-level editing for fine restoration and effect processing
  2. Multitrack View: A multitrack mixing environment for music production and podcast editing
  3. Spectral View: Visual frequency analysis for precise noise reduction and restoration

Main Panel Functions

  • Files Panel: Project management and media import
  • Effects Rack Panel: Real-time effects chain management
  • Markers Panel: Timeline marker management
  • Properties Panel: Property adjustments for the currently selected audio
  • Essential Sound Panel: One-click audio optimization tools
  • History Panel: Step-by-step operation回溯

Workspace Switching

Select a preset workspace via Window > Workspace:
  • Default Workspace: Balanced layout
  • Edit Workspace: Focused on waveform editing
  • Mix Workspace: Focused on multitrack mixing
  • Mastering Workspace: Focused on final output processing

IV. Basic Workflow

1. Project Creation and Setup

  1. Create New Multitrack Session: File > New > Multitrack Session
    • Session Name: Use a meaningful name
    • Sample Rate: 44100Hz (music) or 48000Hz (video)
    • Bit Depth: 32-bit (float) for optimal processing quality
    • Master: Stereo
  2. Import Audio Assets
    • Drag and drop audio files directly into the Files panel
    • Supported formats: WAV, MP3, AIFF, FLAC, etc.
    • Audio tracks can be extracted from video files

2. Waveform Editing Basics

  1. Using Selection Tools
    • Time Selection Tool (T): Select a time range
    • Marquee Selection Tool (E): Frequency + time selection
  • Lasso Selection Tool (Shift+E): Freeform selection
  • Basic Editing Operations
    • Cut: Command+X
    • Copy: Command+C
    • Paste: Command+V
    • Delete: Delete key
    • Undo: Command+Z (supports up to 999 steps)
  • Fade In/Out Processing
    • Drag at the edge of a clip to create a fade in/out curve
    • Right-click the edge of a clip to select the fade type
    • Adjust the curve handles to control transition smoothness
  • V. Detailed Explanation of Core Function Modules

    1. Noise Reduction and Restoration Tools

    1. Noise Reduction (Process) Effect
      • Path: Effects > Noise Reduction/Restoration > Noise Reduction (Process)
      • Steps: Capture Noise Print > Select Entire File > Apply Noise Reduction
      • Key parameters: Noise Reduction amount, Reduce By amount, Output Noise Only (preview)
    2. Adaptive Noise Reduction
      • Real-time effect, suitable for mild background noise
      • Parameters: Noise Reduction amount, Fine Tune Noise Threshold, Signal Threshold
    3. Automatic Click Removal
      • Path: Effects > Noise Reduction/Restoration > Automatic Click Remover
      • Automatically detects and repairs pops and clicks
      • Adjust sensitivity and complexity to balance the repair effect
    4. DeHum
      • Targets 50/60Hz power hum
      • Configurable fundamental frequency and number of harmonics
  • Q value adjustment to fix width
  • 2. Multitrack Mixing Techniques

    1. Track Types
      • Audio tracks: standard audio playback
      • Bus tracks: track grouping and effect sends
      • Master track: final output control
      • VCA tracks: volume control grouping
    2. Automation Control
      • Show automation lanes: click the “Auto” button on the track
      • Automation modes: Write, Read, Latch, Touch
      • Draw automation curves: use the pencil tool or selection tool to adjust
    3. Effect Sends and Returns
      • Create a send: click the “Send” button on the track’s effect rack
      • Set send level: adjust the send fader
      • Return track: create an auxiliary track to receive the send signal

    3. Applying Effects

    1. Equalizer (EQ)
      • Graphic EQ: 30-band visual adjustment
      • Parametric EQ: precise frequency control
      • Filter effects: high-pass, low-pass, band-pass filtering
    2. Dynamics Processing
      • Dynamics effects: compressor, limiter, expander, gate
      • Multiband compressor: frequency-band dynamics control
      • Tube-modeled compressor: simulated warmth
    3. Reverb and Delay
      • Reverb effects: room simulation, hall, plate reverb
      • Delay effects: tape delay, analog delay, digital delay
      • Convolution reverb: using impulse response files
    4. Modulation Effects
      • Chorus effect: adds thickness and width
      • Flanger effect: spacey sound
      • Phaser effect: dynamic tonal variation

    4. Essential Sound Panel (Revolutionary Feature)

    1. Dialogue Optimization
      • One-click analysis and optimization of speech clarity
      • Parameters: reduce rumble, reduce sibilance, enhance clarity
      • Automatically match loudness standards
    2. Music Processing
      • Automatically balance frequencies
      • Dynamic range control
      • Loudness normalization
    3. SFX Sound Effect Processing
      • Background sound effect optimization
      • Transient enhancement
      • Spatial adjustment
    4. Ambience Processing
      • Background ambience balancing
      • Noise gate control
      • Atmosphere enhancement

    VI. Advanced Editing Techniques

    1. Spectral Frequency Editing

    1. Enter Spectral View: View > Show Spectral Frequency Display
    2. Frequency Selection: Use the marquee tool to select specific frequency regions
    3. Frequency Processing: Apply gain, mute, or effects to selected frequencies
    4. Repair Application: Especially suitable for removing noise at specific frequencies

    2. Phase Analysis

    1. Phase Meter Display: View > Show Phase Meter
  • Phase Issue Detection: Red indicates phase cancellation
  • Phase Adjustment: Use Effects > Stereo Imagery > Phase Meter
  • 3. Batch Processing Operations

    1. Create Batch Process: Window > Batch Process
    2. Add Files: Drag in multiple audio files
    3. Set Processing Chain: Add an effect sequence
    4. Output Settings: Specify format, sample rate, and bit depth
    5. Run Batch Process: Process all files with one click

    4. Working with Premiere Pro

    1. Edit While Linked: In Premiere, right-click the audio > Edit in Adobe Audition
    2. Dynamic Link: Audio in Premiere updates automatically after editing in Audition
    3. Export Multitrack Session: Export as an XML file recognized by Premiere

    VII. Mastering Workflow

    1. Loudness Normalization

    1. Match Loudness: Window > Match Loudness
    2. Loudness Standard: Select a target standard (YouTube – 14 LUFS, Broadcast – 23 LUFS)
    3. Tolerance Range: Set a tolerance of ±1 LU

    2. Multiband Compression and Limiting

    1. Multiband Compressor: Process different frequencies in 4-5 bands
    2. Limiter Settings: Output ceiling -1.0 dB, true peak limiting
    3. Gain Staging: Apply gain in stages to avoid distortion

    3. Stereo Enhancement

    1. Stereo Expander: Increase stereo width
    2. Mid-Side Processing: Process mid and side signals separately
    3. Phase Check: Ensure there are no phase issues after enhancement

    VIII. Output and Export Settings

    1. Export Multitrack Mixdown

    1. Export Settings: File > Export > Multitrack Mixdown > Entire Session
  • Format Selection:
  • Bit Depth and Sample Rate: Keep consistent with session settings
  • Channel Format: Stereo, mono, or surround sound
  • 2. Export Selected Clips

    1. Time Selection: Select the range to export in the multitrack
    2. Export Selection: File > Export > Multitrack Mixdown > Time Selection
    3. Insert into Source File: Replace the original file with the processed audio

    3. Export Settings Explained

    1. MP3 Settings
    2. WAV Settings

    IX. Troubleshooting and Optimization

    Common Problem Solutions

    1. Audio playback stuttering
    2. Effect processing distortion
    3. Files cannot be imported

    Performance Optimization Tips

    1. Use track freeze: Freeze tracks to reduce CPU load when processing complex effects
    2. Render and replace: Render processed audio to a new file
    3. Disable real-time effect previews: Turn off unnecessary real-time effects while editing

    10. Suggested Learning Path

    Beginner (Week 1)

    1. Get familiar with the interface and workspace
    2. Master basic waveform editing
    3. Learn the basics of noise reduction and restoration

    Intermediate (1-2 Months)

    1. Master multitrack mixing techniques
    2. Learn effect chain configuration
    3. Master the Essential Sound panel

    Professional Mastery (3-6 Months)

    1. Master spectral editing
    2. Master the mastering workflow
    3. Learn batch processing and automation

    Source: Love Mac  |  Software download link: Adobe Audition 2020 for Mac

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