Audition has two editing modes: Multitrack and Waveform. Click the buttons to the top left to switch between these modes.

Multitrack mode is commonly used for podcasting, radio show creation, and musical composition. Multitrack is a non-destructive clip-based workspace, where newly recorded and imported clips are arranged on the Timeline. Users can modify timing and adjust volume levels for each clip, then export a final audio file. This mode does not modify new or imported audio files.

Waveform is a destructive editing workspace capable adding complex effects, such as noise removal. Edits made in Waveform Mode are permanent and overwrite imported or newly recorded audio. This mode can be useful to quickly edit audio to remove filler words (like umm, uhh, or like) and silences, isolate volume issues, or reduce background noise. Accessing Waveform Mode is also essential during the Export process. Whenever working in this mode, be sure to save backups of original audio files as any edits will be permanent.