4 Replies Latest reply: Jul 18, 2011 11:36 PM by gishnetwork RSS

    save file without applying effects?

    gishnetwork Community Member

      Forgive me if this is dense - my first experience with audio was in CS5 with soundbooth so am new, and now relearning with Audition.

       

      If I have audio loaded up and I am manipulating effects to try and get things perfect, It seems like I cannot save what i am doing and come back to it later? If I close or save the file without applying the effects on the rack, they all disappear.

       

      This is just mind boggling seeing as all the other Adobe programs like Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, etc let you configure effects, save, open and reconfigure.

       

      Knowing this I can only assume I am doing something wrong because this simple fact makes Audition like a musket - do or die right now, otherwise start over - and I know this just can't be so.

       

      What is it that I am missing?

       

      TIA

       

      Paul

        • 1. Re: save file without applying effects?
          Bob Howes Community Member

          It depends how you're working.

           

          The real-time effects you use in multitrack view are non-destructive.  They don't alter the original files at all but, rather, are applied live each time you play it back.  If you save the Session, your effects settings are saved alongside but you can go back and change them at any time.

           

          The effects you apply directly to files in Edit view ARE destructive though.  Once applied, the file is changed.  Except for benign things like "Normalise", I tend to use the "Save As" command right after applying one of the effects in order to preserve the original file just in case.

           

          However, unless you're limited by processor speed or whatever, the better way of working is to stick to the non-destructive real time effects.

           

          Bob

          • 2. Re: save file without applying effects?
            gishnetwork Community Member

            Hello Bob,

             

            I am definitely not limited by hardware, and yes, my goal is non destructive edits (the way I work in any other adobe app).

             

            So then you are saying that even if I am working on a single wav file, it is better to open it up in a multi track session, play with effects there - not apply them, close the file, reopen to continue working. Then whenever I want to use that in premiere just output to a wav, but maintain the sesx as the working file. Does this sound correct?

             

            Seeing that the rack effects are mere collections of numbers, I am amazed that one cannot save all the settings along with the file similar to how raw (.CR2) files work, or even by creating a new container format i.e., .aad or something...

             

            So for now, always work in multi track mode.

            • 3. Re: save file without applying effects?
              Bob Howes Community Member

              Yup, that's about it.

               

              Edit view is for destructive processes that change the file for good, be they physically cutting the file or applying permanent changes.

               

              Multtrack view is for real time mixes and processes that can be used to do what you need to the final product without changing the file.  As long as you save the Session you're working on, all your changes are preserved for the next time you open it but the track itself is unchanged...and when you're done, you mix down your session (even if only one track) to a new file which contains all your effects.

               

              In defence of Adobe, this way of working is completely logical to anyone who comes to Audition from the sound side of things.  Altering the work flow to match Photoshop or whatever would probably result in loud screams from us audio guys (who, until this version, made up 99.9% of the user base).  Even when I was doing audio post for TV (first on a DAR Soundstation then with the dreaded Protools) this would have been the sort of workflow I was used to.

               

              Hope this helps.

              • 4. Re: save file without applying effects?
                gishnetwork Community Member

                It helps immensely. Many times videos on Adobe TV or Lynda skip over the "simple workflow" tidbits that are second nature to seasoned experts but are missing puzzle pieces to newcomers.

                 

                Basically, Multitrak is the PSD to opening a wav in the editor, which would be akin to editing a jpeg. At first glance, I would not have assumed this simply because the naming and verbiage used in Multitrack, and the fact that the effects rack seem identical in the editor and multitrack mixer...

                 

                At any rate - you made things so much clearer for me. Thank you very much!

                 

                Paul