Learning Unit 2: Edit audio

Learning outcomes:
2.1 Adjust the standard waveform audio
2.2 Apply audio effects
2.3 Edit multitrack sessions

Learning outcome 2.1. Adjust the standard waveform audio

2.1.1. Waveform adjustments

A waveform is an image that represents an audio signal or recording.

It shows the changes in amplitude over a certain amount of time.

Waveform adjustments:
 Audio level
 Audio level normalization
 Fades Clipboard
 and mix paste

 Audio Level:

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  Audio level adjustment refers to changing the amplitude (volume)
of an audio waveform.
 You can increase or decrease the level of the entire audio clip or
specific parts of it.
 It's used to balance the audio levels, make certain parts louder or
softer
 Audio Level Normalization:
 Audio level normalization is a process that adjusts the volume of
an audio file so that the loudest peak reaches a specified level (often
0 dB or another target level).
 It's used to standardize the audio's loudness, making it suitable for
various playback devices or platforms.
 Normalization can help prevent audio from being too quiet or too
loud.
 Fades:
 Fades are gradual changes in audio levels at the beginning or end
of an audio clip.
 There are two common types of fades: fade-in (gradual volume
increase) and fade-out (gradual volume decrease).
 Fades are used to create smooth transitions and reduce abrupt
starts or stops in audio.
 Clipboard and Mix-Paste:
 Clipboard: The clipboard is a temporary storage area where you
can cut, copy, or paste audio data.
 When you cut or copy audio, it's placed on the clipboard before
being pasted elsewhere.
 Mix-Paste:
 Mix-pasting involves pasting audio from the clipboard into a new
location in the waveform while mixing it with existing audio.
 This allows you to merge audio from different parts of a track.

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  Clipboard and mix-paste functions are useful for rearranging or
combining audio segments within a track, such as creating
remixes, adding effects, or fixing mistakes.

How to adjust Audio Levels in adobe audition?

1. Open your audio file in Adobe Audition.
2. In the "Files" panel, right-click on your audio file and select "Edit Clip in
Adobe Audition."
3. In the Edit view, select the portion of audio you want to adjust. You can
select the entire clip or a specific region.
4. Go to the "Effects" menu and choose "Amplitude and Compression."
5. After applying the effect, you can preview the changes by clicking the
"Play" button in the Edit view.
6. Click "File" > "Save" to save your edited audio.

To normalize Audio Level

1. Open your audio file in Adobe Audition.
2. In the Multitrack or Edit view, select the portion of audio you want to
normalize.
3. In the Effects panel, under "Amplitude and Compression," choose the
"Normalize" effect.
4. In the "Normalize" dialog box, you can set the desired peak amplitude.
Commonly used values include -1 dB or -3 dB.
5. Click "OK" to apply the normalization. This will adjust the audio levels to
the specified peak value.

Fades: In audio engineering, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease in the

level of an audio signal. ... A recorded song may be gradually reduced to silence

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 at its end (fade-out), or may gradually increase from silence at the beginning
(fade-in).
To apply audio fades:
Creating Fades:
1. Open your audio file in Adobe Audition.
2. In the Multitrack or Edit view, select the audio region where you want to
apply fades.
3. To create a fade-in, select the beginning of the audio clip. To create a
fade-out, select the end of the audio clip.
4. In the Effects panel, under "Amplitude and Compression," choose the
"Fade in" or "Fade Out" effect, depending on the type of fade you want.
5. The effect will be applied, creating a smooth fade-in or fade-out transition
at the selected region. You can adjust the duration and shape of the fade
in the dialog box that appears.

Working with the Clipboard:

1. Use the Selection tool to select the portion of audio you want to copy to
the clipboard.
2. Right-click on the selected audio and choose "Copy" or press "Ctrl+C"
(Windows) or "Command+C" (Mac) to copy the audio to the clipboard.
3. Move the playhead to the location where you want to paste the audio.
4. Right-click and choose "Paste" or press "Ctrl+V" (Windows) or
"Command+V" (Mac) to paste the audio from the clipboard to the new
location.

Learning outcome 2.2. Apply audio effects

1.2.1. Audio clean up

Audio Cleanup: Audio cleanup focuses on enhancing the quality and clarity
of the original audio recording.
It is primarily used:
 To remove unwanted noise

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  To correct imperfections,
 and to improve the overall intelligibility of the audio. The goal is to
make the audio sound as clean and natural as possible.

Audio cleanup techniques often include:

 Frequency display clean up

 Noise reduction
 Sound removal

1. Audio Cleanup:
Audio cleanup is a broad term that encompasses various techniques used to
improve the quality and clarity of audio recordings.
It involves processes to remove unwanted elements or artifacts from audio,
making it sound cleaner and more polished.
2. Frequency Display Cleanup:
Frequency display cleanup refers to the process of cleaning up the visual
representation of audio waveforms or spectral data in audio editing software.
This can include tasks like reducing clutter in the frequency spectrum,
removing unnecessary markers, labels, or annotations, and generally
organizing the visual representation for better usability.
3. Noise Reduction:
Noise reduction is a critical component of audio cleanup. It involves the
removal or reduction of unwanted background noise or interference from
an audio recording. Noise can come from various sources, such as
microphone hiss, electrical interference, or ambient environmental
sounds. Noise reduction techniques aim to minimize or eliminate these
unwanted sounds while preserving the desired audio content.
4. Sound Removal:
Sound removal is a process where specific sounds or elements within an audio
recording are isolated and either attenuated or removed. This can be used to

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eliminate certain sounds or frequencies that are unwanted in a recording, such
as sirens/bells, coughs, or other temporary noises.

2.2.2. Special effects

1. Adjust Pitch: Adjusting pitch involves altering the fundamental

frequency of an audio signal to make it higher or lower.
This can be used:
 To correct the pitch of a vocal or instrument.
 To create interesting musical effects.
 To match the pitch of different tracks in a mix.
2. Pitch Correction: Pitch correction is a specific type of audio effect used
to correct the pitch of a performance. Auto-Tune is a well-known pitch
correction tool that can automatically adjust the pitch of a vocal or
instrument to the desired key or scale.
3. Access Plugins: Access plugins refer to using software plugins or virtual
instruments that are added to a digital audio workstation (DAW). These
plugins can provide a wide range of effects and virtual instruments,
expanding the capabilities of audio production.
4. Compression: Compression is an effect that controls the dynamic range
of an audio signal.
 It reduces the difference between the loudest and softest parts of
the audio
 Making the sound more consistent and often enhancing the
perceived loudness.
5. Modulation: refers to the manipulation of specific audio parameters,
such as pitch, amplitude, or time, to create dynamic and expressive
sound effects. Some common modulation effects include chorus,
flanger, phaser, tremolo, and vibrato. Where Chorus adds a delayed

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 and slightly pitch-shifted version of the original audio signal to create a
thicker, more spacious sound.

6. Filter and EQ (Equalization): Filters and EQ are used to adjust the

frequency balance of an audio signal. Filters can cut or boost specific
frequency ranges, while EQ allows for more precise control over the tonal
balance by adjusting the levels of individual frequency bands.
7. Reverb: Reverb (short for reverberation) simulates the natural acoustic
reflections and decay of sound in different spaces.
It can be used to add depth and realism to audio recordings, making
them sound as if they were recorded in different environments, from
small rooms to large concert halls.
8. Echo and Delay: Echo and delay effects create repetitions of the audio
signal with varying time intervals. Echoes are distinct repetitions, while
delay can create a continuous trail of repetitions. These effects can be
used for various creative purposes, such as adding spaciousness,
creating rhythm, or enhancing vocal and instrument textures.

1.3.1.Multitrack section control

 Multitrack view
 Track color
 Multitrack tools
 Track routing
 Audio levels matching
 and adjustment
 Group clips
 Fades
 Filter and EQ

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1. Multitrack View: This is the primary workspace where you can see and
edit multiple audio or MIDI tracks simultaneously. It allows you to arrange
and edit different elements of your audio project.

Editor panel in Multitrack Editor

A. Track controls B. Zoom navigator C. Vertical scroll bar D. Track

2. Track Color: DAWs often allow you to assign different colors to individual
tracks, making it easier to visually distinguish between them and organize
your project.

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3. Multitrack Tools: These are various tools within the DAW for editing
audio, MIDI, and other elements in the multitrack view. Examples include
selection tools, cutting and trimming tools, and automation tools.

1. Your project’s files are found in the FILES tab. This is empty until
you import files or record new ones.
2. By default, this is the MEDIA BROWSER tab – but you’ll find more use
here when you switch it over to the EFFECTS RACK tab when we get
there.
3. The HISTORY tab will help you jump back to undo edits you aren’t happy
with. You may rarely use this, and can close it using the hamburger
menu’s “Close Panel.” I’ll also close the VIDEO tab since podcasting
doesn’t involve syncing audio to a video file. Closing these tabs will open
up some more real estate for other activities, which is nice.
4. The EDITOR tab is where you’ll slice and dice your audio files. You’ll see
in a second.
5. The LEVELS tab is your best friend in helping you monitor your podcast’s
volume, making sure it’s not peaking (red means danger) or too quiet.
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 6. The SELECTION/VIEW tab shows data regarding your audio files and
selections you make within a track.

4. Track Routing: This involves routing or directing the audio signal from
one track to another. It's useful for sending audio to various effects
processors or buses for additional processing or mixing.

5. Audio Levels Matching and Adjustment: This includes adjusting the

volume levels of individual tracks to achieve a balanced mix. You can also
use automation to control the volume levels over time.
6. Group Clips: Grouping clips allows you to link multiple clips or regions on
different tracks so that they can be edited or moved together. This is
helpful for maintaining sync between related elements.
7. Fades: Fades are used to smoothly adjust the volume at the beginning or
end of a clip or to create crossfades between clips to avoid audio artifacts.
8. Filter and EQ: Filters and equalization (EQ) are tools for shaping the tonal
characteristics of audio. Filters are used to remove or emphasize specific
frequency ranges, while EQ allows you to adjust the balance of frequencies
in a track.

1.3.2.Multitrack special effect application

Multitrack special effect application

1. Reverb and delay
2. Compression
3. Preset and favorites
4. Automation for mixer
1. Reverb and Delay:
Reverb and Delay effects are essential for creating a sense of space and depth
in your audio recordings.

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 2. Compression:
various compression options, such as threshold, ratio, attack, and release
settings.
3. Preset and Favorites:
Users can save their favorite settings for specific effects or combinations of
effects and easily apply them to different tracks.
4. Automation for Mixer:
Automation is a powerful feature that allows you to control various parameters
(e.g., volume, panning, effect parameters) over time.

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