Organizing Adobe Audition Files for Audiobook Narration

Recently, a friend asked how I organize my Adobe Audition files for the audiobooks I record. We hopped on Zoom to discuss my process, and it occurred to me that a follow-up blog post might benefit others looking for a similar approach.

Let me start by saying I’m not claiming to be the ultimate authority on audiobook production file management, but this method has served me well over the years.

My Process

I begin by setting up a multi-track session for each book I record. Within this session, I create individual audio files (WAVs) for each chapter or section of the book. This also includes the audition file, credits, prologue, epilogue, and any author notes.

Each audio file is placed on a track titled “Book.” I then use track-level filters and export each individual chapter or section for upload to ACX. One key aspect of my process is that I never apply filters directly to the WAV files. Instead, I leave the source audio as recorded. This way, if I need to make adjustments later, I can work with the unaltered source file without worrying about overwriting something that’s already been filtered.

The Tools I Use

When it comes to filters, I’m a big fan of iZotope plug-ins. My default filters include Dynamics, De-Click, De-ess, and De-reverb. Although I only apply a light touch with De-reverb due to a small quirk in my studio—specifically, some bounce from my extra-large computer monitors.

I’ve included a screen capture of one of my multi-track layouts for reference.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your file organization process, feel free to drop me an email at info@zenithexhibits.com. I’d be happy to chat!