TechNote (Archived)

Session file management (Adobe Audition 1.x, 2.0)

For Adobe Audition and Syntrillium Cool Edit Pro 2.x

What's Covered

Create a folder for each Audition session

Save an Audition session

The most important thing to remember about sessions in Adobe Audition is that a session is not usable without the files that make up the session. A .ses (session) file is basic information that tells Audition where files are in time, but the .ses file itself does not contain audio data. For example, if you record 12 tracks and then save the session but do not save the individual tracks, the session won't reopen properly (Audition will try to open files that don't exist). A .ses file references the location of .wav files and includes properties of the session, but it doesn't include the actual .wav files. You must save .wav files individually. This document describes the best way to save sessions to ensure that they include everything you need to reopen or resave them.

Create a folder for each Audition session

The best way to organize your files on Windows is to store files in folders. For each session that you create, create a folder to hold all the .wav files for the session along with the actual .ses (session) file. For example, create a folder titled Audition Sessions, and in that folder create a named folder for each session that you want to create (for example, Session 1, Session 2).

Note: In Audition 2.0, audio files recorded from the Multitrack view are saved in a folder located in the same directory as the session file in which they were recorded in. This folder is named: "[name_of_your_session]_Recorded."

Save an Audition session

After you create a folder for your session, record your files, import .wav, .mp3, or any other data you need, set your envelopes and effects, and start the session. When you are ready to save the session, follow these steps to ensure that everything is saved in the correct folder:

1. Choose File > Save As.

2. Select the folder in which you want to save the session from the Save In menu in the Save Session As dialog box.

3. Enter a name for the session in the File Name text box.

4. Select Save All Associated Files, and then click Options.

5. Select Save All Copies In This Format, and select the format in which you want to save the individual files (for example Windows PCM, .wav, or .mp3). Click OK.

6. In the Save Multitrack Session As dialog box, click OK to save the session. You may be prompted to name some newly recorded files.

Note: This is not the only way to save session files and folders in Adobe Audition, but it is the recommended way to keep them organized so that session files reopen without error.