How do I download just the audio from a video?
Why download just the audio from a video?
There are several reasons why someone may want to extract just the audio track from a video file:
Storage space – Audio files take up much less disk space than video files. For example, a 3 minute song in MP3 format may be around 3MB, whereas a 3 minute video can easily be 30MB or more. Downloading only the audio can save storage space on your computer or mobile device.
Offline listening – When you download just the audio portion of a video, you can listen to it later even without an internet connection. This allows you to enjoy podcasts, music, speeches, audiobooks and more while on a plane, in your car, out for a walk, or anywhere else offline.
Music collection – Many people like to build a library of their favorite music by ripping audio from YouTube videos and other online sources. This gives them their own permanent collection to enjoy.
Shareability – Audio files are much easier to share with friends than large video files. Downloading the audio from a YouTube video lets you easily text, email or post the audio content.
Accessibility – Some people with visual impairments rely on audio content. Extracting just the audio track makes the content more accessible.
Convenience – Listening to just the audio can be more convenient in many situations, like while driving, walking, or multitasking.
Identify the Video Host
The first step is to identify where the video you want to download audio from is hosted. Some of the most popular video hosting platforms include:
- YouTube – This is the largest video hosting site, with millions of videos. To download just the audio from YouTube, you’ll need a converter or downloader tool.
- Vimeo – A popular alternative to YouTube, focused more on creative professionals and high-quality video. Vimeo also requires converter tools to extract audio.
- Facebook – Videos uploaded directly to Facebook can also have their audio downloaded. Look for audio grabber tools designed for Facebook.
- Dailymotion – This video sharing site hosts user-submitted and professional video clips. You’ll need an external downloader to get just the audio.
Knowing the video host site is the starting point, as this determines which tools you can use to download the audio. Some sites make it easier than others. The next sections will explore specific methods for the most popular video platforms.
Browser Extensions
One of the easiest ways to download just the audio from a video is by using browser extensions. For Chrome, some top options include Video & Audio Downloader, Audio Downloader Prime, and YouTube MP3 Converter. These extensions add buttons to Chrome that allow you to quickly download the audio from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites with just one click. For Firefox, recommended extensions are YouTube to MP3 and Video DownloadHelper. They provide similar functionality tailored for Firefox users. The benefit of using extensions is that they integrate seamlessly into your browsing experience, making it simple to save just the audio anytime you come across a video you want.
Online Converters
Online converters are websites that allow you to convert videos into audio files directly in your web browser without needing to download any software. They provide a quick and easy way to extract audio from videos.
Some popular online video to audio converters include:
Fireflies.ai – This free converter supports various input and output formats including MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, etc. Just upload your video, select the output format, and download the converted audio file.
OnlineVideoConverter – This tool supports over 1000 sites and can extract audio from videos, playlists or entire channels. It’s very fast and allows bulk conversion.
The benefit of online converters is convenience since no software install is needed. The drawback is having to upload your video which can be slow for large files. They also often have file size or time limits for free usage.
Desktop Software
There are several free and open source desktop applications that allow you to download just the audio from a video. Some popular options include:
Audacity – This open source audio editor and recorder includes an “Import Audio” function that can extract audio from videos. It’s available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
FFmpeg – FFmpeg is a powerful command line tool for converting audio and video formats. You can use it to extract the audio track from a video file.
VLC Media Player – The popular VLC media player includes the ability to convert videos to audio-only formats like MP3. Just open the video, go to Media > Convert/Save and select the audio format.
WinX HD Video Converter – This free video converter for Windows can extract the audio from video files and save it as MP3, WAV, FLAC and more. It supports a wide range of video formats.
Overall, desktop software like these specialized audio editors and video converters give you precise control over extracting just the audio content from videos downloaded from any website or platform.
Mobile Apps
There are several apps available for iOS and Android that allow you to easily download just the audio from videos. Some top options include:
Breathe Music Player for iOS – This app lets you extract audio from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and other sites. It saves the audio as MP3 files.
Audio Extractor for Android – With this app you can extract audio from videos, cut and edit the audio, and convert formats. It’s free with no ads.
Some other top options include Video to MP3 Converter, Video and Audio Downloader, and the built-in “Save Audio” option in apps like YouTube and Instagram.
The key advantage of using a dedicated app, rather than an online converter, is you can save audio from videos directly on your mobile device. This allows listening on the go without needing an internet connection.
Downloading from Specific Sites
Many popular video sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc. allow you to easily download just the audio track from videos hosted on their platform. Here are some instructions for downloading audio from the most popular sites:
YouTube
On YouTube, you can use a free browser extension like Video Downloader Professional to download just the audio in MP3 format. Simply install the extension, open the YouTube video, and click the “Audio” button to save only the audio track.
You can also use online converters like Online Video Converter by pasting the YouTube video URL and selecting “Extract Audio” as the output format.
Vimeo
For downloading audio from Vimeo, you can use the website VimeoMate. Copy and paste the Vimeo video URL into VimeoMate, choose “Audio” as the output format, and click “Download” to save only the audio.
Alternatively, you can use the online tool Vimeo-Download in the same way by entering the Vimeo URL and selecting “MP3” as the format.
On Facebook, open the video and click the three dots in the upper right corner. Select “Save Video” and it will download the full video file containing both audio and video. You can then extract just the audio track using video editing or conversion software.
You can also copy the Facebook video URL and use online converters like Online Video Converter to download only the audio in MP3 format.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some common troubleshooting tips for fixing issues downloading just the audio from videos:
- Check your browser settings – Many browsers like Chrome and Firefox have settings related to media autoplay and muting that could prevent audio from downloading properly. Disable autoplay and unmute media to allow audio to save.
- Update your extensions and apps – Outdated video downloader extensions and apps can develop bugs over time that lead to no audio downloads. Check for updates and install the latest versions.
- Clear cookies and site data – Built up cookies and site data can sometimes interfere with media downloading on certain sites. Try clearing this data and re-downloading.
- Check the source video – Sometimes the original video itself has no audio or muted audio tracks. Test the source video in your browser first before downloading just audio.
- Try a different file format – If downloading to MP3 yields no audio, try a different format like WAV which may work better.
- Reboot your device – For desktop apps and mobile apps, a simple device reboot can clear up underlying software issues.
Fixing downloaded audio issues takes some trial and error. Go through these common troubleshooting tips to identify and resolve the root cause.
Audio Quality Considerations
When downloading just the audio from a video, you have the option to save either a high quality uncompressed audio file or a more compressed audio file. There are tradeoffs to consider with each format.
Uncompressed audio formats like WAV provide the highest fidelity, capturing all of the detail in the original audio. However, uncompressed files take up significantly more storage space. A 3 minute song saved as an uncompressed WAV can be 30-40MB, whereas an MP3 would be around 3MB.
Compressed formats like MP3 use perceptual encoding to selectively discard audio data that is considered beyond the auditory resolution ability of most listeners. High bitrate MP3s (192+ kbps) are virtually indistinguishable from uncompressed files for casual listening. Lower bitrates may have noticeable quality loss.
For archival purposes or audio production work, uncompressed is recommended. For everyday listening, a high quality compressed format provides a good balance of quality and file size. On mobile devices with limited storage, compressed formats may be preferable.
When downloading just audio from video, it’s often possible to choose which format you prefer based on your needs.
Conclusion
In summary, this article has explored multiple methods for downloading just the audio portion from a video. The simplest options include using browser extensions like Video DownloadHelper or online converters like savefrom.net. For more control over audio quality and format, desktop software like Freemake Video Converter or VLC media player can extract high-quality audio. Mobile apps like SnapTube or Video to MP3 Converter offer on-the-go audio extraction as well. And downloading straight from the source, like with YouTube and Facebook, provides a convenient built-in option.
When downloading audio from videos, it’s important to be mindful of copyrights and give proper attribution. Avoid redistributing audio from copyrighted videos without permission. For personal use, extracting audio can be an effective way to save just the portions you want to listen to offline. With all the options available, you can easily download audio from videos in just a few clicks.