What is RAW in Audition?

Report · Mar 14, 2025

I work in Audition, and when editing auditions I always work in WAV then convert to .mp3 for submission, which is what all clients request. Until now.

I have received these weird instructions:

"Keep all files RAW and peaks between -12 to -6 dB. The WAV file type and audio specs are non-negotiable! Talent will be asked to list their recording equipment and pass audio checks!"

What the f does this mean? I can give them WAV, but what is RAW?

Thanks.

Rob

Report · Mar 15, 2025

In file terms in general, a RAW file indicates that it's the original recording, completely untouched. Unfortunately Audition doesn't quite see it that way. In Audition, any audio coming along with its headers corrupted is labeled as RAW, and it's up to you to work out what it's supposed to be, and then you can ask Audition to open it using those parameters - and you can resave the result.

So the two meanings of the word RAW in this context are slightly at odds with each other, I'm afraid. But with that information, you should be able to differentiate the meanings. IOW they want WAV files, but nothing like EQ or any effects or other processing added. That said, it's going to be rather hard to limit the peaks effectively with zero processing, I suspect... 😉