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How to match, fade, and mix clip volume with Audition

Last updated on May 8, 2024

Note:

To fade individual audio files, see Visually fading and changing amplitude. (The topics below address multitrack clips.)

Match multitrack clip volume

If multitrack clips have very different volume, making mixing difficult, you can match their volumes. Because the Multitrack Editor is nondestructive, this adjustment is completely reversible. To instead permanently change the volume of source files, see Match volume across multiple files.

Using the Move or Time Selection tool, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) to select multiple clips.
Choose Clip > Match Clip Volume.
From the pop-up menu, choose one of the following options:

Loudness

Matches an average amplitude you specify.

Perceived Loudness

Matches a perceived amplitude you specify, accounting for middle frequencies that the ear is most sensitive to. This option works well unless frequency emphasis varies greatly (for example, midrange frequencies are pronounced in a short passage, but bass frequencies are elsewhere).

Peak Volume

Matches a maximum amplitude you specify, normalizing the clips. Because this option retains dynamic range, it’s a good choice for clips you plan to process further, or for highly dynamic audio like classical music.

Total RMS Amplitude

Matches an overall root-mean-square amplitude you specify. For example, if the majority of two files is -50 dBFS, the total RMS values would reflect that, even if one file contains more loud passages.
Enter a Target Volume.

Fade or crossfade multitrack clips

On-clip fade and crossfade controls let you visually adjust fade curves and duration. Controls for fade ins and fade outs always appear in the upper-left and upper-right corners of clips. Controls for crossfades appear only when you overlap clips.

A. Drag controls in clip corners to fade in and out B. Overlap clips to crossfade

Fade a clip in or out

In the upper-left or upper-right corner of the clip, drag the fade icon inward to determine fade length, and drag up or down to adjust the fade curve.

Crossfade overlapping clips

When you crossfade clips on the same track, you overlap them to determine the size of the transition region (the larger the overlapping area, the longer the transition).

Place two clips on the same track, and move them so they overlap. (See Select and move clips.)
At the top of the overlapping area, drag the left or right fade icon up or down to adjust the fade curves.

Fade options

To access the following fade options, select a clip, and then either right-click a fade icon in the Editor panel, or choose Clip > Fade In or Fade Out.

No Fade

Deletes the fade or crossfade.

Fade In, Fade Out, or Crossfade

If clips overlap, lets you choose the fade type.

Symmetrical or Asymetrical (crossfades only)

Determines how the left and right fade curves interact when you drag them up and down. Symmetrical adjusts both fades identically, while asymetrical lets you adjust fades independently.

Linear or Cosine

Applies either an even, linear fade or an S-shaped fade that starts slowly, then rapidly changes amplitude, and ends slowly.

Tip: To switch between Linear and Cosine modes while dragging fade icons, hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS).

Automatic Crossfades Enabled

Crossfades overlapping clips. Deselect this option if automatic crossfades are undesirable or interfere with other tasks, such as trimming clips.

Create a single audio clip from multiple clips

You can combine the contents of multiple clips in the same time range, creating a single clip that you can quickly edit in either the Multitrack or Waveform Editor.

ms24 — Creating single clip from multiple clips in Multitrack Editor

In the Editor panel, do any of the following:
- Select a specific time range. (See Select ranges in the Multitrack Editor.)
- Select specific clips if bouncing to a new track.
- Select nothing to mix down an entire session.
To combine the contents of the original clips, do either of the following:
- To create a track and clip in the Multitrack Editor, choose Multitrack > Bounce To New Track.
- To create a file in the Waveform Editor, choose Multitrack > Mixdown To New File.

Note:

To mixdown an entire session, see Export multitrack mixdown files.

Create an audio clip from a bus or mix track

If you want to edit audio from a bus or mix track, create a clip from the track.

In the Editor panel, select a time range for the new clip. (See Select ranges in the Multitrack Editor.)
In the timeline, right-click a bus or mix track, choose Bounce [track type] To New Track.

Adobe Audition creates a new track with a clip that reflects the bus or mix track.

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