after so many years Audition is still full of bugs

Report · Oct 12, 2023

Every so often I get the error: "Target directory is not writable" - which kills my production workflow as I can't save my project.

Now - I have read numerous advice about folder permissions, reinstalling Audition, resetting to default etc. none of which applicable to me.

I get this error in a middle of a project, working with the same files, folders and clips, not after importing new files from new folders. So - when something is working fine and then it stops working without any reason or change to the process - it means the program corruption.

My first question is why after so many years, Adobe still can't remove all the bugs from Audition? This is not a free program, but quite an expensive one and so certain quality standards are rightfully expected by the customers.

Secondly - what is causing this error and how to fix it short of reinstalling Audition to default thus losing all my settings or restarting my PC? I have Windows 10, 64 bits.

I'm not reporting as a bug, as I will never get any help. I reported something once as a bug - no one has ever come back to me.

UPDATE - I decided to check the folder permission of the folder where my project is saved, anyway - only to discover that the folder is GONE. Deleted, removed by Audion. That's why it can't save the project there. So now this is a bug of a missing folder.

UPDATE 2 - I saved the multitrack as a different file so that I can save it. The full fokder is still missing wioth Backup and Imported files. And any subsequent saves of the project are...not happening. So now I have to start it from scratch.

When will Adobe FIX ALL THE AUDITION BUGS?? This is NOT a free program!

Report · Oct 18, 2023

any Adobe specialist or employee care to reply?

Report · Oct 18, 2023

Well if I must...

Firstly, can you show me any complex software anywhere that's completely bug-free? No you can't.

Secondly, if you are losing folders, it won't be caused by Audition. Back in the day, Audition and Cool Edit used to handle hooks into the file system themselves - but a decision was made many years ago to let the OS itself handle this. Since then it's not been as good, quite frankly. You would of course expect me to blame Microsoft, and I'm not going to disappoint you. But this is on the basis of some evidence, and it's nothing to do with Adobe.. Just do a google search using the term 'windows update deleting files' and you'll find a raft of stuff. A friend of mine yesterday lost half of the folders of pictures he had on a machine - wiped out at a stroke by Microsoft.

I can tell you though what to do about it, and it's quite simple; don't store your work files on an internal drive on your machine, especially not the C: drive - that's vulnerable. Ideally use external USB drives - Windows can't get to them, especially if you unplug them during updates. I've done it like this for years, with hundreds of projects, and lost nothing. My friend is about to do the same thing.

And don't complain about this reply - you requested it!

Report · Oct 18, 2023

no, I won't complain - i find your reply helpful, so thank you.

I'm open minded about files being deleted by Windows updates etc. I raised this issue here after seeing many posts online on this and other forums about specifically Audition files being lost. So perhaps Windows hates Audition and tried to eradicate it from every PC.

I agree with your suggestion about storing Audition (and copies of any files, really) on an external drive. That's where I copy my Audition files after I finished each project.

I believe however that the files in use during production in Audition need to be on the machine, as processing files on an external drive takes much more time.

Do you run your productions in Audition within files on the external drive? does it slow down the process?

as to any complex software that is bug-free, well, that's debatable 🙂 mainly because there is a broad range of bugs- from minor, cosmetic bugs that don't affect the operation of the program to serious bugs that stall or otherwise affect the production or use of the program. I'm talking about the latter.

Report · Oct 19, 2023

If you use SSDs connected by any of the faster protocols (USB3 and up, Thunderbird, etc) you are unlikely to notice any difference at all, even on larger sessions. And if you want to play safe, disconnect all external drives whilst a software 'update' is happening so that M$ can't do a nice clean-up on your drive for you. As for backups - well that's an interesting situation that keeps changing. I've got backups on CD, DVD, Blueray and now I'm even keeping some on SD cards, and this is surprisingly economical. If it's stuff I'm bothered about long-term then I keep two copies, the second one physically away from the first. There's a lot more that could be said about this, but you get the basic idea, I'm sure.

Report · Oct 20, 2023

yes, backup is the operative word in all computer work.

thanks!