Our verdict: Adobe Audition is a polished audio editor with strong noise reduction, spectral editing and a multitrack mixer, and it fits neatly beside Premiere Pro. The trial lasts only 7 days and turns into a paid subscription unless you cancel. For occasional editing, free tools cover most of the same ground.
About Adobe Audition
Audition is part of Adobe Creative Cloud and is sold only by subscription; there is no one-time license. The single-app plan costs $22.99 a month on an annual commitment, and Audition is also included in the Creative Cloud bundles.
The free trial lasts 7 days and requires an Adobe account and a payment method. Billing starts on day 8 unless you cancel, and Adobe gives a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of the first charge. Once the subscription ends, the app stops opening.
What it does well
- Spectral frequency display. See audio as a frequency map and paint out coughs, clicks and other unwanted sounds.
- Noise reduction and restoration. Removes hum, hiss, clicks and background noise from recordings.
- Multitrack sessions. Record and mix several tracks with effects, automation and buses.
- Premiere Pro integration. Send audio from Premiere Pro to Audition and back for cleanup and mixing.
- Essential Sound panel. Presets for dialogue, music and effects that apply loudness and repair steps quickly.
Who it is for
Good fit
Podcasters, video editors and audio restoration work, especially inside Adobe Creative Cloud.
Look elsewhere
Music producers who need MIDI and virtual instruments, or anyone avoiding subscriptions.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent noise reduction and spectral repair
- Tight integration with Premiere Pro
- Clean multitrack mixing
Cons
- Only a 7-day trial that needs a payment method
- Subscription only, no perpetual license
- No MIDI or virtual instruments
How to install Adobe Audition
The trial is installed through the Creative Cloud desktop app after signing in with an Adobe account and entering a payment method. Set a reminder to cancel before day 8 if you do not want to be billed.
Questions about Adobe Audition
Is Adobe Audition free?
No. Adobe offers a 7-day free trial that needs an Adobe account and a payment method; billing starts on day 8 at $22.99 a month (annual plan) unless you cancel. Cancelling within 14 days of the first charge gets a full refund.
Can I buy Audition without a subscription?
No. Audition is only available through a Creative Cloud subscription, either alone or in a bundle.
Is there a free alternative to Audition?
Audacity and ocenaudio are free audio editors that handle recording, noise reduction and basic editing.
