Adobe Audition

Assignment Updated March 17, 2019

 

Adobe Audition


Deadline and Deliverables
Full Details posted in D2L

  • Final Script Word Doc, file labeled date name script
  • Original audio file recorded with Tascam not edited, file labeled date name Original Tascam
  • Final Wav file only (Voice Over, no music) Edited in Waveform
  • Final Wave file with (Voice Over, and music) Edited in Multitrack
  • Final Session files with (Voice Over, and music, Edited in Multitrack
  • Screenshots of entire Adobe Audition Workspace in Waveform, labeled date name Audition
  • Screenshots of entire Adobe Audition  Workspace in Multitrack, labeled date name Multitrack Audition

NOTE:  All items placed in compressed folder.  Assignment will be considered Incomplete if not placed in compressed folder.

Compressed Folder 
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/compress-uncompress-files-folders-mac-mchlp2528/mac

All audio files marked:

  • The final mix will be named:  date_FinalMix_YourName.wav
    Example:  031819_FinalMix_JaneSmith.wav
    (Do not use / or . for dates or other characters)
  • The Session file will be named: date_Final_Session_YourName.sesx
    (Do not use / or . for dates or other characters)

[-5 points for each file not using the name order:  date name topic. These deductions cannot be updated for second review.  See syllabus for full details.]

Headset, ear buds

When editing in the lab, you will need to provide your own headset or ear buds.  There are headset to check out in the Mass COMM checkout.  Using a headset is not an option as you will need to properly hear the audio you are editing.  If you are disturbing fellow students because you are not using a headset, you will not be able edit your audio project in class.

Checklist
The entire assignment will serve as a checklist.  You can save the entire page as a PDF.  In Chrome, go to File, Print, select Save as PDF, Save.

Reference

Tascam DR 100 III
Manual
https://tascam.com/us/product/DR-100mkIII/download

Adobe Audition User Guide
https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/user-guide.html

Video, What is Audition?
https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/how-to/what-is-audition-cc.html

SoundCloud
Create Free account to display audio
https://soundcloud.com

 

Procedure  – Getting Started

 

  • Write Script, sample listed below.  This will be used with your video project.
  • Record audio with Tascam record
  • Edit audio with Adobe Audition:  First with Waveform and then with Multitrack, adding music to voice over.  The music must be legal to use and must be adjusted.
  • Submit final WAV and Secession files in compressed folder, along with screenshots of Waveform and Multitrack workspaces in Adobe Audition.  Complete details posted in D2L also above, see Deadline and Deliverables.

 

 

Script

Found on the video introduction page, and below
https://multimediatoolkit.me/introduction-video-assignment/ 

 

Write Script before recording

The audio recording you are creating will be used with the video project.  It’s vital you have good script and recording or you problems will carry over to your video project.

  • First write the script, see sample below. This is only an outline and you will need to adjust as necessary.
  • Practice reading the script out loud
  • Find a quiet place to make the recording. Do not record in a noise setting.  The library has locations you make a recording, the media room SH13 might be a good setting.  This will be up to you to find a suitable location.
  • Ask to have your script reviewed by the professor before proceeding with the recording.

 

 

SAMPLE SCRIPT

Use this for ideas for creating your own script.
Note: This is meant to be an outline to write your script, does not to be exactly as below, but might help speed your writing process.

 

START

Hi, I’m Your Name Here, student at Saint Cloud State University.
(You can say what city and state you are from, if you wish.  If you are an international student, you might say what country you are from.)

I’m a Mass Communication student, with an emphasis in adverting and minor in marketing and general business. (Update with major or minors, what you are studying.)

I’m active with the student media on campus as the photo editor of University Chronicle newspaper, also writing and producing videos that air on the university station, UTVS.
(Add what you are doing to build up your student portfolio.)

My goals is to own my own media company, work for major news agency, and travel the world.
(Say what your professional goals are in general.)

I am continuously updating my skills, recently created a WordPress website, websites using Adobe Dreamweaver with Bootstrap and editing video with Adobe Premiere Pro CC.
(Add what you are learning that shows you have the latest technical skills.)

This is Your Name Here, student from Saint Cloud State University.
(This is when you end your script, your sign off.)

END

Alternative
(Graduating soon – If you are graduating, you can add this to your video.)

This is Your name here, Class of 2019, from Saint Cloud State University.

END

 

 

Recording with Tascam 

 Tascam DR 100 III

Formatting Card

  • Formatting card before proceeding or you might lose your recording.
  • Press Menu, scroll to SYSTEM, press Enter
  • Scroll to FORMAT, press Enter
  • You will be told all data will be erased. Select YES to remove data.
  • If you don’t want to removed data, select NO. Please beware if you don’t format card you might not have enough room and you might lose recording.

 

Adjustments for Input

  • You might need to use the USB port if power is low
  • Connect XLR cord to Left mono input, bottom of recorder
  • Put on headphones, insert the line jack out, left side of recorder
  • Turn on recorder, will light up
  • Press record: Listen to what you are hearing and make adjustments with the Trim Input level knob, right side, ( -12/-6).
  • Hit Stop

 

Setting up Menu

  • Select Menu, then press home button
  • Select Record Settings
  • Format, WAV 24 bit
  • Sample: 0 kHz
  • File Type: MONO-L
  • Press the back button to return HOME

 

Recording Audio

  • Complete previous steps above first
  • Hit Record to start recording audio.
  • You can use the Pause button to continue the recording where you last stopped.
  • Hit Stop to end record

 

Saving Recording to Computer, Apple

  • After stopping recording, turn off recorder
  • Remove the SD Card from the recorder
  • Insert into computer, slot located on back of iMacs
  • Create a folder just for your audio project in your personal hard drive and back up also in the HD Hard drive so you have two copies.
  • Now Duplicate the folder and label one as Original and another Backup

 

 

Getting Started with Adobe Audition

 

Adobe Audition User Guide
https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/user-guide.html

 Video, What is Audition?
https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/how-to/what-is-audition-cc.html

 

Workflow for Adobe Audition

  • Adobe Audition workflow
    https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/how-to/multichannel-audio-workflows.html
  • You must always use a headset or ear buds with editing audio. Bring your own or check them out at Mass COMM checkout.  If you don’t, it will be difficult to hear your audio and will likely have usable audio.
  • After recording script with Tascam Record, you are ready to start editing audio.
  • Workflow: Two applications in one,  Waveform and Multitrack
  • Waveform: Waveform editor is used for highly detailed and sophisticated editing.
  • Multitrack: Multitrack editor is used for creating multitrack music productions or combining voice, music and sound effects.
  • It’s vital to make sure you know what editor you are using. There’s marking in the upper left corner, for switching back and forth between editors.

 

Waveform – Destructive editing vs. Multitrack – Non Destructive

  • Waveform is a destructive editor – It’s vital you make a backup of the original file, indicate above in Saving Recording to Apple, iMacs, see Recording with Tascam. Working with the Waveform editor changes are made will modify the original file and the changes are destructive. Once changes are made to your audio, you will not be able to return to the original file.  (This could mean needing to record your script again, and again, and missing the deadline.)
  • Multitrack editor never modifies the original file – Changes are made the same way as non-linear video editing (Adobe Premiere).  You are making changes to clips linked to media, instead of the original media.  When you save, a multitrack session file, information about the effects and adjustments.  The effects and adjustments can be changed, the original media is not changed.

Audition Workspaces

Waveform Editor – Setting up workspace, importing audio files
(How to import audio recorded with Tascam)

  • Launch Adobe Audition
  • Workspace: Select the Default workspace,  Go to Window, then Workspace, select default.
  • The Media Browser is used for storing and locating your audio files. Make sure Media Browser is first turned on. Go to the top of the Audition workspace, then Windows, make sure Media Browser is checked.
  • Import Audio Files: Go to Media Browser, then look for your audio file.
    Double click to import file or
    Click and drag to Files Panel.

Waveform Editor 

Cleaning and repairing audio

  • Spectral Frequency display – Waveform amplitude, and Spectral Frequency also shows the frequency. of the audio file.  Click on the Spectral Frequency button, locate to the right of the Multitrack panel.
    https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/displaying-audio-waveform-editor.html
  • Removing pops and clicks – Spot Healing brush takes out pops and clicks. Turn on Spectral Frequency display.  Locate the pops by listing  to the audio, zoom in on area.  (Area will have high points on display.) Select the Spot Healing Brush, adjust  brush size as needed.) A marque selection tool can also be used, and the Auto healing tool, located in Favorites menu.
    https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/how-to/use-click-pop-eliminator-audition.html
  • Removing background noise (Waveform and Multitrack) – Denoise plugin to remove unwanted background noise. Detects noise intelligently for you. Go to  Effects, Noise Reduction/Restoration, then select Denoise.
    Start with default defect, can adjust the slider.
    First place select an area on the  Spectral Frequency display, highlight an area of the background noise, turn the looped selection on, then adjust the amount of the selection until the noise is gone. Now listen to the entire audio.  Select box, output only to see if the voice is being changed.  Sometimes there is a compromise.  There are also high, low and med frequencies that can be selected.  NOTE:  Make sure to remove the Output noise when done working with Denoise effect.
    https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/how-to/noise-hiss-reduction-audition-cc.html
  • Reducing reverb – Reverb is sound waves bouncing of walls and other surfaces.
    Best Practice to avoid reverb – Record in small space, close to the microphone and spaces with carpeting.Go to Effects Rack, (next to Media Browser) then click on the first line, the flyout panel, then select, Noise Reductions, then  Reduce Reverb Effects.
    A panel will open, use Default panel.  Turn amount to zero, 0.  Listen to the audio.  Toggle on and off to hear effect.
    Also, turn on Audio Gain on, just click.
    Can target , specific frequencies.

https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/reverb-effects.html

  • Removing specific sound – Sound Remove learn sound, and remove for the entire audio. Might need to remove telephone or other.
    Switch to Spectral Frequency, locate audio.  Use the paint brush tool.  Can use the square bracket keys [ ] to increase or decrease brush sizes as needed.

Click and drag with paint brush over area, hold down on shift to add more locations to remove.
Add Sound remover effect:  Go to Effects, Noise Reduction, then Sound Remover Process.
Opens a preview editor window.  Select, learn sound model.
Presets select default
Can also remove the selected sounds after Effect Sound Remover is opened.
Set panel to mirrored to see changes.  Play audio.
(Additional changes can be made)
After adjustments have been changes, set apply.
Close preview window panel

https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/noise-reduction-restoration-effects.html

  • Repairing clipped audio – Audio recording levels set too high, have flat waveforms.
    https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/diagnostics-effects-waveform-editor-only.html
    Go to Effects on top of workspace, then Diagnostics, DeClipper
    Opens up a Diagnostic Panel (not effects panel).
    Preset:  Default
    Scan to look at clipped peaks
    Go to Setting  in Diagnostics, go to tolerance, change if necessary.
    Can select Auto gain
    Cubic or FFT (set high as possible, 128)
    Click Setting to close indicated in blue), then Repair all.
    Flat tops should change.
    Check sound

https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/diagnostics-effects-waveform-editor-only.html

 

Output from Waveform

  • Export file: Preparing a file to export from the Waveform to use in Multitrack
    Naming order
    Example:  031819_FinalMix_JaneSmith.wav

First, save  all changes under a new name than the original file name
File, Save AS, or File, Export, File to keep the current file open.

Save currently selected audio as a new file, choose File, Save Selection As

Specify a filename and location (Your hard drive or Data HD), and choose a file format, SELECT WAV

https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/saving-exporting-files1.html

 

[End First Part of Adobe Audition Edit]

 

Multitrack Editor

About:  Here you will take your file edited in Waveform and add music.  It will need to be music that is legal to use.

Go to Killer Tracks and select music. https://www.killertracks.com/

Ask for password in class

 

 

Sound Panel

Working with Effects

https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/user-guide.html

 

Output from Multitrack Editor

  • You are exporting a Session file
  • Under Multitrack on the top menu bar in Audition, select Mixdown Session to New File, Entire Session
  • Next, the session will open as a composite, mix down, stereo track in the Waveform Editor.
  • Save this file
  • A Save As window will appear. Your File Name should be whatever you had named the original multitrack session.
  • Audition will add Mixdown1.wav after the session name. Make sure the Location is your audio folder.
  • Confirm the rest of the items are as follows:
    Format: WavPCM
    Sample Type:  48000 Hz Stereo 24bit
    Format Settings:  Wave Uncompressed 24- bit integer
  • Then click OK
  • There could be notification to choose a new file name. If so, click Ok, then simply highlight the 1 after the word Mixdown and delete it.  Your file name will be your original sessional followed by mixdown.wav. The click OK.
  • Verify you have all your required files saved in your audio folder and no other location as you might need to repeat the entire edit, and your work will be late.https://helpx.adobe.com/audition/using/saving-exporting-files1.html
  • END

 

Grading Rubric

 

Possible Errors, Minor:  -1 points

  • Audio is excellent.
  • Recording is very well paced.
  • The speaker’s voice or recording is easy to understand all words.
  • Everything is accurate.
  • No mispronunciations.
  • Audio levels excellent and no distracting background noises.
  • High level of difficulty.
  • This is usable audio.

Possible Errors, Moderate:  -2 points

  • Audio is good and needs moderate changes.
  • The speaker’s voice or recording is easy to understand all words, but minor improvements can be made.
  • Everything is accurate, no mispronunciations.
  • Recording is requiring more tweaks.
  • Audio levels are good and with minor distracting background noises.
  • This is not a high level of difficulty, but still a good audio edit.
  • This audio is usable with minor updates.

Possible Errors, Major:  -3 points or more

  • Audio is poor or not usable and  needs numerous changes.
  • The speaker’s voice or recording is not easy to understand.
  • Not everything is accurate, contains Errors of Fact, and mispronunciations.  (starting at-5)
  • Recording is requiring numerous tweaks.
  • Audio levels are poor and with major distracting background noises.
  • This show low level of difficulty and possibly not usable.
  • Missing required screenshot of Adobe Audition Waveform and Multitrack ( -5 for each screenshot)
  • File naming procedures not followed in syllabus, Date Your Name Topic (XXX see syllabus (-5 for each file) Deduction of –5 points or -5 percent is deducted for not properly formatted. This cannot be updated if assignment is resubmitted for second review. See syllabus for full details