How to Record with Two Mics in Audition: A Beginner’s Guide

Recording with two microphones can be a great way to capture high-quality audio for podcasts, interviews, or musical performances. Adobe Audition is a powerful audio editing software that allows you to record and edit audio files with ease. In this article, we will guide you through the process of recording with two microphones in Adobe Audition.

To begin, you will need to have two microphones and an audio interface or mixer that allows you to connect them to your computer. Once you have your equipment set up, you can open Adobe Audition and create a new multitrack session. From there, you can assign each microphone to its own track and adjust the input levels as needed. With this setup, you can record both microphones simultaneously and edit them separately in post-production.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your recordings sound professional and polished. Whether you are recording a podcast, conducting interviews, or capturing musical performances, using two microphones in Adobe Audition can help you achieve high-quality audio that will impress your audience.

Understanding the Basics of Adobe Audition

What are Multi-Track Sessions?

Multi-track sessions allow you to record and edit multiple tracks of audio in a single project. Each track can be individually edited and mixed together to create a final product. This is particularly useful when recording with multiple microphones, as each microphone can be recorded on its own track and then mixed together later.

Introduction to Audio Hardware

To record with two microphones in Adobe Audition, you will need an audio interface that has at least two XLR inputs. XLR microphones are preferred for recording because they provide a balanced signal that is less susceptible to interference and noise.

Once you have your audio interface set up, you can create a new multi-track session in Adobe Audition. Make sure to select your audio interface as the input device in the session settings. Then, create two new audio tracks and assign each track to a separate input on your audio interface.

Before recording, it’s important to adjust the input signal to optimize signal-to-noise levels. You can do this by adjusting the gain on your audio interface or by using a preamp.

recording with two microphones in Adobe Audition requires an audio interface with at least two XLR inputs and a multi-track session. By assigning each microphone to a separate track, you can record and edit each microphone individually for a professional-sounding final product.

Setting Up Your Mics

When it comes to recording with two microphones, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure the best possible sound quality. In this section, we’ll go over some tips for choosing the right microphones and positioning them correctly.

Choosing the Right Microphones

The first step in setting up your mics is choosing the right ones for the job. Ideally, you’ll want two microphones that are similar in frequency response and sensitivity, as this will help ensure that both voices are captured equally. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your mics:

• Dynamic vs. Condenser: Dynamic microphones are generally better at handling high sound pressure levels (like those from a loud guitar amp), while condenser mics are more sensitive and can capture more detail. For most vocal recordings, a condenser mic is a good choice.
• Directionality: Some microphones are directional, meaning they pick up sound from a specific direction. For two-person recordings, you’ll generally want to use omnidirectional mics, which pick up sound from all directions equally.
• Budget: Of course, budget is always a consideration. You don’t need to spend a fortune on microphones, but investing in quality gear can make a big difference in your recordings.

Positioning Your Microphones

Once you’ve chosen your microphones, it’s time to position them correctly. Here are a few tips for getting the best sound:

• Distance: Position the microphones about 6-12 inches away from the speakers’ mouths. This will help ensure a good balance between the two voices and reduce the risk of plosives (popping sounds caused by air hitting the mic).
• Angle: The microphones should be angled slightly away from each other to help reduce bleed (sound from one mic bleeding into the other).
• Pop Filters: Using pop filters can help reduce plosives and other unwanted noise.

By following these tips for choosing and positioning your microphones, you’ll be well on your way to recording great-sounding audio with two mics in Adobe Audition.

Configuring Adobe Audition

Creating a New Multi-Track Session

To record with two mics in Adobe Audition, you need to create a new multi-track session. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open Adobe Audition and click on “File” in the top left corner.
2. Select “New” and then “Multi-Track Session”.
3. In the “New Multitrack Session” dialog box, give your session a name and select the number of tracks you want to record.
4. Click “OK” to create your new multi-track session.

Setting Up the Audio Hardware

After creating your new multi-track session, you need to set up the audio hardware. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Click on “Edit” in the top left corner and select “Preferences”.
2. Click on “Audio Hardware” in the left-hand menu.
3. In the “Device Class” dropdown menu, select “ASIO”.
4. In the “ASIO Driver” dropdown menu, select your audio interface.
5. Click on “Input/Output Routing” in the left-hand menu.
6. In the “Input” tab, select the input channels you want to use for your mics.
7. In the “Output” tab, select the output channels you want to use for playback.
8. Click “OK” to save your audio hardware settings.

With your multi-track session and audio hardware set up, you can now record with two mics in Adobe Audition. Remember to adjust the input levels for each mic and to monitor your recording levels to ensure a quality recording.

Recording with Two Mics

When recording with two microphones in Adobe Audition, it’s important to assign each mic to a separate track to ensure that you can edit each recording independently. Here’s how to do it:

Assigning Mics to Different Tracks

1. Open Adobe Audition and create a new multitrack session.
2. Click on the “+” icon in the Tracks panel to create two new tracks.
3. Click on the first track to select it, then click on the “Input” dropdown menu in the track header.
4. Select the input device for the first microphone.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the second track and microphone.

Starting the Recording

1. Arm both tracks for recording by clicking on the “R” button in each track header.
2. Click on the “Record” button in the transport panel to begin recording.
3. Monitor levels in the track meters to ensure that both microphones are recording at appropriate levels.
4. When finished, click on the “Stop” button in the transport panel to end the recording.

By following these steps, you can easily record with two microphones in Adobe Audition and ensure that each recording is editable independently.

Post-Recording Steps

Mixing the Audio

Once you have recorded with two mics in Adobe Audition, it’s time to mix the audio. This process involves adjusting the levels of the two mics to create a balanced sound. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open the Multitrack Editor in Adobe Audition.
2. Import your recorded audio files into separate tracks.
3. Adjust the levels of each track so that they are balanced. You can do this by using the fader on each track or by adjusting the volume in the Effects Rack.
4. Use EQ and other effects to further refine the sound. Be careful not to overdo it, as this can make the audio sound unnatural.

Exporting Your Recording

Once you have mixed your audio, it’s time to export it so that you can share it with others. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Select the tracks that you want to export.
2. Go to File > Export > Multitrack Mixdown.
3. Choose your export settings. You can export to a variety of formats, including WAV, MP3, and AIFF.
4. Click Export to create your final audio file.

It’s important to note that the export settings you choose will affect the quality of your final audio file. If you’re not sure what settings to use, it’s a good idea to do some research or consult with an audio professional.

By following these post-recording steps, you can ensure that your recording with two mics in Adobe Audition sounds great and is ready to share with the world.