AuditionPerfecto

🎛️ Setting Up Your Microphone and Audio Hardware in Adobe Audition

Introduction

Before you record your first voice or instrument in Adobe Audition, it’s essential to set up your microphone and audio hardware correctly. A proper configuration ensures clean input, low latency, and no frustrating “why isn’t it recording?” moments.
This guide will walk you through connecting your microphone, choosing the right drivers, and adjusting key settings inside Audition to get the best possible sound quality.

1. Connect Your Microphone or Audio Interface

Start by plugging in your microphone or interface before launching Audition.

  • USB microphones: Plug directly into your computer’s USB port.
  • XLR microphones: Connect to an audio interface (like a Focusrite Scarlett or PreSonus AudioBox), which then connects via USB-C or Thunderbolt.

đź’ˇ Tip: Always connect your hardware before opening Audition. The app scans available devices on startup.

2. Open Audio Hardware Preferences

Once Audition is open:

  1. Go to Edit → Preferences → Audio Hardware (Windows) or Audition → Preferences → Audio Hardware (Mac).
  2. You’ll see several key settings:
    • Device Class – Choose between MME, WASAPI (Windows), or CoreAudio (Mac).
    • Default Input – Select your microphone or audio interface.
    • Default Output – Select your headphones or speakers.
    • I/O Buffer Size – Controls latency (more on this next).

Click OK after making your selections.

3. Adjust Your Input and Output Devices

To make sure Audition listens to the right mic:

  1. Open the Audio Hardware Preferences again.
  2. Under Default Input, pick your desired device (for example, “Scarlett 2i2 USB”).
  3. Under Default Output, choose where you’ll monitor the sound (like “Headphones” or “Built-in Output”).
  4. Click Apply → OK.

🎧 Pro Tip: Always monitor your input through headphones, not speakers, to prevent echo or feedback loops.

4. Choose the Right Sample Rate and Bit Depth

To maintain high-quality audio:

  • Sample Rate: 44,100 Hz (standard) or 48,000 Hz (for video projects).
  • Bit Depth: 32-bit (float) for best dynamic range.

To adjust these settings:

  1. Create a new file via File → New → Audio File.
  2. Set your preferred values before recording.

5. Minimize Latency with Buffer Settings

Latency is the delay between speaking and hearing your voice back.
To reduce it:

  1. Go to Edit → Preferences → Audio Hardware.
  2. Lower the I/O Buffer Size (try 256 or 128 samples).
  3. If you hear crackles or dropouts, increase it slightly.

đź’ˇ Advanced Tip: WASAPI (on Windows) and CoreAudio (on Mac) drivers usually provide lower latency than MME.

6. Test Your Setup Before Recording

Make a quick test to confirm your input works:

  1. Switch to Waveform View.
  2. Click the Record button.
  3. Watch the Level Meter — if it moves when you speak, your setup is working!
  4. If it’s silent, check your input source again or restart Audition after connecting your mic.

7. Save a Custom Hardware Preset

If you use multiple mics or interfaces, save time by creating custom presets:

  1. Configure your preferred setup.
  2. Go to Edit → Preferences → Audio Hardware.
  3. Click Save As Preset and name it (e.g., “Podcast Mic Setup”).

You can then switch between setups in seconds.

8. Troubleshooting Common Issues

ProblemPossible Fix
No sound in headphonesCheck Output Device under Preferences
Input level too lowIncrease gain on your interface or mic
Delay when monitoringLower buffer size
Crackling or distortionIncrease buffer size or close background apps
Audition doesn’t detect micRestart the app after connecting hardware

Conclusion

Setting up your microphone and audio hardware properly ensures Adobe Audition captures your sound cleanly and without latency. Once everything is configured, you’re ready to record confidently and focus on performance rather than technical issues.
Next, head to our tutorial on “How to Edit Audio Clips: Cut, Trim, and Fade Like a Pro.”

Ben Kemp
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