This intensive two-day course introduces music production and audio composition using Adobe Audition, a professional-grade digital audio workstation. Adobe Audition CC is the preferred tool for video editors, film sound designers, broadcast engineers, and audio professionals who need comprehensive capabilities for recording, editing, mixing, soundtrack creation, and audio restoration work.
The software features a high-performance audio engine that accelerates workflow, enabling simultaneous work across multiple audio tracks and files while applying effects, noise reduction, and audio enhancement in real-time. An extensive library of royalty-free audio content simplifies the creation of ambient beds, musical scores, and complex soundscapes. Native support for 5.1 surround sound mixing and seamless integration with Adobe Premiere Pro facilitates professional video post-production. The application also supports industry-standard file formats, including OMF and XML, allowing straightforward project exchange with Avid Pro Tools and other professional editing systems.
Ideal Participants:
Audio editors and post-production professionals seeking to develop proficiency with professional digital audio tools to create polished, balanced soundtracks and distinctive audio for various video production contexts.
Prerequisites:
- Proficiency with either Mac OS X or Windows operating systems
- Familiarity with basic audio terminology (helpful but not required)
Audio Hardware Configuration and Setup
- Audio interface hardware fundamentals
- Mac OS X audio configuration
- Windows operating system setup
- Testing audio inputs and outputs in Audition
- Configuring and using external audio interfaces
Understanding the Audition Workspace
- The dual-editor design philosophy
- Customizing and navigating the Audition workspace
- Efficient navigation techniques
Core Audio Editing Techniques
- Loading and preparing audio files
- Selecting audio regions and adjusting amplitude
- Removing audio segments through cutting, deletion, and pasting operations
- Utilizing advanced multi-clipboard cutting and pasting
- Modifying musical selections through extension and compression
- Mixing and pasting audio with simultaneous mixing
- Creating loops by repeating portions of waveforms
- Real-time waveform display under the playback cursor
- Applying fade envelopes to eliminate audio artifacts
Audio Effects and Signal Processing
- Introduction to audio effects principles and application
- Effects Rack configuration and workflow
- Amplitude shaping and dynamic range compression
- Delay and echo effect applications
- Filter design and equalization techniques
- Modulation effects for creative sound design
- Noise reduction and audio restoration tools
- Reverberation and spatial effects
- Creative special effects
- Stereo field imaging and positioning
- Time stretching and pitch shifting
- Third-party plugin integration (VST and AU formats)
- Using built-in effects menus
- Creating and managing effect presets
Audio Restoration and Cleanup
- Fundamentals of professional audio restoration
- Eliminating high-frequency hiss and noise
- Removing vinyl crackle and similar artifacts
- Clicking and popping reduction techniques
- Broadband noise suppression
- De-humming techniques for electrical interference
- Artifact detection and removal
- Manual artifact elimination methods
- Advanced click removal algorithms
- Selective sound removal strategies
Mastering Your Final Mix
- Professional mastering workflow fundamentals
- Step 1: Strategic equalization for clarity and balance
- Step 2: Dynamic processing for controlled dynamics
- Step 3: Ambience and spatial enhancement
- Step 4: Stereo imaging and field enhancement
- Step 5: Optimizing transients and applying final processing
- Diagnostic tools and analysis techniques
Sound Design and Creative Audio
- Sound design methodology and creative approaches
- Synthesizing natural environmental sounds such as rain
- Creating flowing water and stream sounds
- Designing organic insect and ambient nighttime soundscapes
- Crafting otherworldly vocal effects and alien textures
- Building science-fiction mechanical and drone effects
- Creating dramatic alien fly-by sequences
- Frequency band extraction and spectral analysis
Recording and File Management
- Single-track recording into the Waveform Editor
- Multi-track recording in the Multitrack Editor
- Monitoring available disk space during sessions
- Direct drag-and-drop file importing into editors
- Importing individual tracks from audio CDs
- Batch importing complete CDs as single files
- Creating and saving session templates
Multitrack Production Fundamentals
- Multitrack production concepts and workflow
- Coordinating Multitrack and Waveform Editor operations
- Customizing visual track organization through color coding
- Creating loop selections for flexible playback
- Understanding track control options and parameters
- Managing channel mapping and routing
- Implementing side-chain processing for advanced mixing
- Review questions and answer keys
Working with the Multitrack Mixer
- Understanding mixer interface basics and controls
Advanced Clip-Level Editing
- Creating seamless DJ-style continuous music mixes with professional crossfading
- Consolidating and exporting multiple clips as a unified file
- Selecting and merging all track clips into a single composite
- Editing clips for optimal length and timing
- Clip editing operations: splitting, trimming, and volume adjustments
- Extending clips through creative looping techniques
Music Creation Using Audio Loop Libraries
- Sound library organization and utilization
- Getting started with loop-based music creation
- Constructing rhythmic foundation tracks
- Layering percussion elements
- Building melodic and harmonic components
- Adapting loops with different pitch and tempo characteristics
- Applying effects to loop-based elements
Multitrack Recording and Overdubbing
- Preparing tracks for recording and input configuration
- Metronome setup for timing assistance
- Recording initial tracks with monitoring
- Overdubbing additional parts while preserving existing tracks
- Punch-in recording for fixing specific sections
- Composite recording from multiple takes
Mixing and Automation Control
- Automation fundamentals and workflow
- Clip-level automation for individual elements
- Track-level automation for overall mix dynamics
Professional Mixing and Export
- Mixing methodology and best practices
- Assessing acoustic characteristics of your monitoring environment
- Complete mixing workflow and decision-making
- Exporting final stereo mixes for distribution
- Creating audio CDs from finished compositions
- Publishing directly to SoundCloud streaming platforms
Note: The course outline above represents typical content covered at this skill level. The instructor may adjust the lesson plan to address the specific needs and goals of the class participants.
