Chapter 10: Saving and exporting
Saving and exporting files
Note: Some features in the Windows version of Adobe Audition 3.0 are not available in CS5.5. Examples include some
file formats and effects, CD burning, MIDI, the metronome, clip grouping and time stretching, and control surface support. For a complete list, see Adobe Audition 3.0 features replaced or not implemented in CS5.5
.
Save audio files
In the Waveform Editor, you can save audio files in a variety of common formats. The format you choose depends on
how you plan to use the file. (See “ Audio format settings ” on page 135.) Keep in mind that each format stores unique
information that might be discarded if you save a file in a different format.
1
In the Waveform Editor, do one of the following:
• To save changes in the current file, choose File
•
To save changes under a different filename, choose File file open.
•
To save currently selected audio as a new file, choose File
• To save all open files in their current formats, choose File
Use the Save Selection As command to break up a long recording into smaller, more manageable files.
2
Specify a filename and location, and choose a file format.
3
Set the following options:
Sample Type
Indicates the sample rate and bit depth. To adjust these options, click Change. (See “ Convert the sample rate of a file ” on page 53.)
Format Settings
Indicates data compression and storage modes; to adjust these, click Change. (See “ Audio format settings ” on page 135.)
Include Markers and Other Metadata
Includes audio markers and information from the Metadata panel in saved files.
(See “ Working with markers
” on page 45 and “ Viewing and editing XMP metadata ” on page 136.)
Note: Some CD-burning applications misinterpret non-audio information such as markers and metadata, producing an
unpleasant burst of noise at the beginning of each track.
More Help topics
“ Save audio between markers to new files ” on page 47
Extract audio channels to mono files
If you want to edit or output individual channels of a stereo or surround-sound file, extract them to mono files. Adobe
Audition appends the channel name to each extracted filename. For example, a stereo source file named Jazz.aif produces mono files named Jazz_L and Jazz_R.
❖
In the Waveform Editor, choose Edit > Extract Channels To Mono Files.
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Saving and exporting
Audition automatically opens each extracted file in the Editor panel.
Save multitrack sessions
A multitrack session file is a small, non-audio file. It merely stores information about locations of related audio files on your hard drive, the duration of each audio file within the session, the envelopes and effects applied to various tracks, and so forth. You can reopen a saved session file later to make further changes to the mix.
If you create multitrack mixes entirely in Adobe Audition, save session files in the native SESX format. If you plan to
share multitrack compositions with other applications, however, see “ Export sessions to OMF or Final Cut Pro
Interchange format ” on page 133.
1
In the Multitrack Editor, do one of the following:
•
To save changes to the current session file, choose File
• To save changes under a different filename, choose File current session open.
•
To save the session file and all the audio files it contains, choose File
2
3
Specify a filename and location.
To include audio markers and information from the Metadata panel, select Include Markers And Other Metadata.
Export sessions to OMF or Final Cut Pro Interchange format
To transfer complete mixes to other applications in your workflow, export to OMF or Final Cut Pro Interchange format. OMF was originally created for Avid Pro Tools, but now is a common multitrack exchange format for many audio mixing applications. Final Cut Pro Interchange format is based on human-readable XML files, which you can edit offline to revise text references, effect settings, and so on.
Export to OMF
1
In the Multitrack Editor, choose File > Export > OMF.
2
Specify a filename and location.
3
Set the following options:
Sample Type
Click Change to access the Convert Sample Type dialog box. (See “ Converting sample types ” on page 53.)
OMF Settings
Click Change to access the following:
•
Media
Encapsulated stores audio clips in the OMF file itself for easier organization. Referenced stores audio clips in the same folder as the OMF file, letting you edit them offline if necessary.
Note: Encapsulated OMF files are limited to 2 GB in size.
•
Media Options
entire original file.
Determines whether clip source files are trimmed to clip length in the Editor panel or reflect the
•
Handle Duration
For trimmed clips, specifies the time duration to include beyond clip edges. Including additional audio provides more flexibility for fades and editing.
The Warnings section indicates elements of the session that will be excluded or changed. To copy this information to clipboard, click the Copy Warnings button .
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Saving and exporting
Export to Final Cut Pro Interchange format
1
In the Multitrack Editor, choose File > Export > FCP XML Interchange Format.
2
Specify a filename and location.
3
To include audio markers and information from the Metadata panel, select Include Markers And Other Metadata.
The following session elements are excluded from the exported file:
•
The second channel of stereo clips. (All clips and tracks become mono.)
• Overlapping clips
•
Effects and track EQ.
• Automation envelopes other than clip volume and mono-to-stereo track panning.
•
Output routing, sends, buses, and the Master track.
More Help topics
“ Export a multitrack mix to Premiere Pro CS5.5
” on page 126
Export multitrack mixdown files
After you finish mixing a session, you can export all or part of it in a variety of common formats. (See “ Audio file formats ” on page 24.) When you export, the resulting file reflects current volume, pan, and effects settings routed to
the Master track.
To quickly mix specific audio clips down to a single track, use the Multitrack > Bounce To New Track command. (See
“ Create a single audio clip from multiple clips ” on page
1
2
If you want to export part of a session, use the Time Selection tool to select the desired range.
Choose File > Export > Multitrack Mixdown. steps below.)
3
Specify a filename and location, and choose a file format.
4
Set the following options:
Sample Type
Indicates the sample rate and bit depth. To adjust these options, click Change. (See “ Convert the sample rate of a file ” on page 53.)
Format Settings
Indicates data compression and storage modes; to adjust these, click Change. (See “ Audio format settings ” on page 135.)
Include Markers and Other Metadata
Includes audio markers and information from the Metadata panel in saved files.
(See “ Working with markers
” on page 45 and “ Viewing and editing XMP metadata ” on page 136.)
In the Waveform Editor, choose Edit > Edit Original to open the multitrack session that created a mixdown file. This
command requires embedded metadata in the file. (See “ Embed edit-original data in exported mixdown files ” on
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More Help topics
“ Create an audio clip from a bus or master track ” on page 121
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Saving and exporting
Audio format settings
In most cases, you should save uncompressed audio to the AIFF or WAV formats. Save to the compressed mp3 format only when creating files for the web or portable media players.
In a Save As or Export dialog box, click Change to the right of Format Settings to access the options below.
To see the effect of settings changes, note the Estimated File Size at the bottom of the dialog box.
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AIFF format settings (*aif, *.aiff, *.aifc)
AIFF is the standard uncompressed audio file format on Mac OS.
Sample Type (available only for 32-bit files)
Sets the audio bit depth. Higher bit depths provide more dynamic range and reduce distortion, though they increase file size and processing time. To determine the proper setting for common
output types, see “ Understanding bit depth ” on page 6.
Integer settings clip audio that extends beyond the amplitude range for a given bit depth. Floating Point settings require slightly more storage space, but retain much greater dynamic range.
Choose 32-bit Floating Point if you want to repeatedly process the file and discard minimal amplitude data.
Note: To add Author metadata to an AIFF file, use the Dublin Core: Creator field on the XMP tab of the Metadata panel.
(See “ Viewing and editing XMP metadata ” on page
Byte Order (available only for 16-bit files)
Specifies the numerical sequence for bytes of data. Choose the Little-Endian method for systems with Intel processors and the Big-Endian method for systems with PowerPC processors.
mp3 format settings
mp3 is the standard compressed audio format across platforms.
Type
Choose Constant to apply a consistent bitrate or Variable to change the bitrate based on audio content.
Bitrate (for constant bitrates) or Quality (for variable)
Adjusts the tradeoff between file size and audio quality. Higher settings increase size and quality; lower settings reduce size and quality.
Avoid compressing the same audio to mp3 more than once. Opening and resaving an mp3 file causes it to be recompressed, so any artifacts from the compressing process become more pronounced.
QuickTime format settings (audio-only *.mov)
You cannot adjust format settings for audio-only QuickTime files, which are always saved as uncompressed PCM
(Pulse Code Modulation) data.
Wave PCM format settings (.wav, .bwf)
Wave PCM is the standard uncompressed audio format on Windows.
You can include Broadcast Wave metadata in Windows PCM files. (See “ Viewing and editing XMP metadata ” on
Sample Type (available only for 32-bit files)
Sets the audio bit depth. Higher bit depths provide more dynamic range and reduce distortion, though they increase file size and processing time. To determine the proper setting for common
output types, see “ Understanding bit depth ” on page 6.
Integer settings clip audio that extends beyond the amplitude range for a given bit depth. Floating Point settings require slightly more storage space, but retain much greater dynamic range.
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