Adobe Audition allows you to record, edit, mix and create master sound on your computer. Like most Adobe products, Adobe Audition software bursts with features and accordingly has quite a learning curve. It boasts full sound-editing capabilities and offers things many other sound-editing programs don't.

If your business requires sound-editing software, then chances are you've heard of Adobe Audition or even used it. When you think it might be time for your business to purchase Adobe Audition, let these questions guide you through the process.

1. Does your company need Adobe Audition?

2. What version of Adobe Audition software does your business need?

3. How can you learn the most about Adobe Audition?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make sure Adobe Audition 3.0 is the right choice for your company

Depending on your industry, you may not need Adobe Audition 3.0; a lesser product may contain all the things you need. If you've used Adobe Audition 1.5 or Adobe Audition 2.0, though, you may be hooked. But if you're spending company money, then make sure you need a program that will cost your company several hundred dollars per license before you buy.

I recommend: Check out reviews and screen shots of Adobe Audition 3 at Penton Media's Remix magazine. Then download a free trial of Adobe Audition 3.0 at Adobe Systems. You'll have to create a free account first if you don't already have one.

Buy the appropriate version of Adobe Audition

Unlike many other versions of sound-editing software, there isn't a professional version of Adobe Audition, so don't waste your time trying to buy Adobe Audition pro. For each operating system, you can only buy one version of Adobe Audition. Be aware that often the version available for Microsoft systems lags behind Mac OSX. For example, if you can buy Adobe Audition 3 for Mac OSX, then you may only be able to get Adobe Audition 2.0 for Windows.

I recommend: Get the Adobe Audition download at Adobe Systems. While Adobe Audition (like all Adobe products) plays well with Mac OSX, if you're using an operating system like Windows Vista, then make sure you check the Microsoft user forums and discussion groups to check for Adobe Audition/Vista known issues and to make sure you can get an Adobe Audition patch if you need it.

Get training to learn to use Adobe Audition

As with any new software or upgrade, it can only help to spend time learning how to use Adobe Audition.

I recommend: The lynda.com site has an excellent guide to using Adobe Audition 2.0. If you'd like to buy a tutorial on CD to keep on hand for people who don't always have an Internet connection and need their solutions to be portable, then Adobe Audition tutorials at Marrutt Software Training offer the perfect solution. And you can preview its tutorials before you buy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't even think about using an Adobe Audition crack to save money on your Adobe Audition activation. Over the last few years cracks, or ways to activate unlicensed copies of software, haven't worked very well with Adobe products. Furthermore, you're putting your company in serious financial jeopardy by using a crack to get the Adobe Audition full version.