A license allows you to use the software without restriction on up to 3 audible accounts. Free updates for 1 year are included. What started as an Open Source (with 625 stars by github developers) project has turned into a 2 year development effort by a small group of developers.
An audio file converter is one kind of file converter that (surprise!) is used to convert one type of audio file (like an MP3, WAV, WMA, etc.) into another type of audio file. If you're unable to play or edit a certain audio file the way you want because the format isn't supported by the software you're using, one of these free audio converter.
I hope this has convinced you that open source software is an excellent, viable solution for A/V content producers. If you are using other open source software—or have advice about using cross-platform software and hardware—for audio and video projects, please share your ideas in the comments.
by Christine Smith • 2020-10-28 17:36:25 • Proven solutions
When you want to only use the audio content from your local video files, it makes sense to convert video to audio to save some additional storage space on your PC/Mac. Additionally, when you want to play your video files on your music player which only supports audio files, a video to audio conversion also be needed. Here, we will introduce 10 free video to audio converters and how to convert YouTube videos to audio format in simple steps.
Part 1. Best 5 Free Online Video to Audio Converters
If you do not have much space to download any software on your PC/Mac, online video to audio converter is your excellent choice for extracting audio files from your videos. These online program works from browser windows, support decent features, and are free to use. Now, let us know about these top-rated online tools.
1. Online UniConverter (originally Media.io)
Using this online program from your Windows or Mac browser, you can convert all popular video formats to MP3, WAV, WMA, M4A, and other popular audio files. Local video files can be added to the program, and after the conversion is completed, the download link for the converted audio is available at the interface itself. Online UniConverter allows adding a maximum of two files at a time for conversion. The process of conversion is simple, and the speed depends on Internet connectivity.
Pros:
Works from the browser and needs no software installation or registration.
Allows adding two files at a time.
Supports all popular audio and video formats.
Has additional video features, like editing videos, compressing videos/images, making GIFs, and cutting audio, etc.
Cons:
It only supports converting two videos at a time.
The speed depends on the Internet connection.
2. Online Audio Converter
Online Audio Converter is a free online app that converts audio files easily. It supports different video formats to convert to MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, and M4R for iPhone ringtone, etc. Also, it processes the conversion quickly, and you don't have to install any software. This converter can convert multiple files in a batch. There is no worry that someone can have access to your data because your files are deleted from the server automatically after you finish the process.
Pros:
Supports extracting audio from the video.
Allows editing track information.
Supports working in a browser.
Cons:
No additional features.
Limited formats support compared with professional tools.
3. Online Convert
Using this video to audio converter, you can convert a range of video files to MP3, AAC, FLAC, and other widely used audio formats. The process of conversion is simple that you can add video files from PC, Dropbox, Google Drive, or through a URL. Under the optional settings, audio bit rate, sampling rate, and audio channels can be edited. There is also an option to trim the unwanted parts of the audio file. Online Convert also allows you to normalize the audio file, and the conversion settings can be given a name and saved for future extractions. The converted file can be downloaded from the interface of the tool.
Pros:
No need for software installation or registration
Allows trimming audio files
Allows to change audio file parameters as needed
Cons:
No batch processing
Limited formats to output.
4. Zamzar
When it comes to online tools, Zamzar is a popular tool that supports conversion between an array of file types and formats, including video to audio. All popular video formats are supported by the program for conversion in decent quality. The added video files can be extracted to MP3, AAC, AIFF, FLAC, and other commonly used audio formats. The interface of Zamzar allows adding local videos or their URL. Drag and drop also function here. The converted files link is sent to the provided mail id from where they can be downloaded. The interface of the tool is straightforward to use and understand. If you are looking for a primary conversion tool without any frills, this is the best choice.
Pros:
Allows adding files through URL in addition to local videos.
Converted files link are sent to the desire mail id.
Cons:
No editing or additional features.
Internet dependency.
5. Online Converter
Online Converter is a versatile and multipurpose converter, which contains Unit Converter, Video Converter, Audio Converter, Image Converter, Ebook Converter, and Document Converter. The converter is completely free service, and you can access this online service anytime and anywhere. The audio converter supports standard audio formats, including MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, M4A, AMR, OGG, AAC, M4R, and more, and even can convert custom audio format for iPhone and Android.
Pros:
Works for video, audio, documents, images, and archives.
Supports source from URL links.
Cons:
No editing or additional features.
The conversion process is not quick.
Part 2. Top 5 Free Video to Audio Converter Applications on Windows/Mac
If you don't mind compromising on a few features for a pocket-friendly conversion process, then there are many free video to audio desktop programs available. These free tools support basic video to audio conversion in decent quality and with all needed features. Listed below are the best free video and audio converters to use for free.
1. Wondershare Free Video Converter
This video to MP3 converter is free to download and available for Windows as well as Mac system and allows converting video formats to popular audio files. The converted files are of excellent quality but come with a watermark. The audio quality of the output can be chosen depending upon the available space and requirements. Wondershare Free Video Converter also allows downloading MP3 files from videos in a few simple steps. Additional features include video editing, recording 1-minute videos of Skype and PC, transfer of video and audio files to iOS and Android devices with restriction to a maximum of 5 files.
2. FAEMedia Free Video to Audio Converter for Windows/Mac
This is a free video to audio converter desktop program that supports over 300 video formats for conversion to audio files. More than 40 popularly used audio formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, FLAC, M4A, and others, are supported for conversion. The converter supports trimming and removing the not needed audio parts of the file. The trimmed part can also be used as a ringtone and for other uses. Multiple audio files in different formats can also be added to make it a single audio file using the tool. Presets for all popular formats are supported to avoid quality and other issues. To enhance the quality, effects, and filters can be applied like adding ReplayGain, Normalize, changing speed, changing volume, and others. The software supports batch processing of up to 32 files at a time.
3. DVDVideoSoft Free Video to MP3 Converter
Supported by Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP SP3, this free video to audio converter has a simple interface that makes the conversion process easy. The software supports popular video formats like AVI, M4V, WMV, FLV, and others for audio extraction. The added files can be converted to MP3 and WAV lossless format, and there is an option to choose the quality of the files from high, standard, and economy options. The software automatically fills the title tag and the artwork. The process takes place by taking the snapshot from the mid of the video, which is then checked through iTunes, Windows Explorer folder, or Winamp. You can download and install the software without any worries as it is free from adware and spyware.
4. Freemake Video Converter
Freemake Video Converter supports converting to many formats, including AVI, MKV, and mobile formats like 3GP and MP4. The great thing about this software is that it allows users to run more than one conversions at once and merge multiple audios into one larger file. You can also use it to trim videos and add subtitles. This audio converter also can convert video files directly to a DVD or Blu-ray disc, and it provides an option to make a DVD menu when burning files to a disc. You can use it to download streaming clips from video sites and extract audio from video clips. But this converter has no speedy conversion and has not been updated for a long time.
5. Movavi Video Converter
Movavi Video Converter is another excellent video and audio file converter, which can support many different formats such as MP3, MP4, WAV, WMV, AVI, WAV, DVD, and AAC among others. There is no need to worry about using it because it's easy to learn and use, even on a surface level. The interface is user-friendly, and even people who have never used a video converter before will have no trouble in using it. It also has a healthy library of preprogrammed conversion and optimization profiles. But it has no feature that allows users to download videos online and cannot burn converted videos to DVD.
Part 3. Recommended Way to Convert YouTube Video to Audio
To get your video files converted to an audio format in the best quality, Wondershare UniConverter is the best choice. This professional desktop software supports over 1,000 formats and allows conversion between them at a super-fast speed. All types of video files can be easily converted to MP3, WMV, WAV, FLAC, AAC, and other popular audio formats in just a few clicks. You can also choose the quality of the output audio file as needed. Additional features supported by the program include video downloading from over 10,000 sites, video recording, video editing, disc burning, and others. With Wondershare UniConverter, you can download videos to MP3 format in just a single click.
Wondershare UniConverter - Best Video to Audio Converter for Mac / Windows
Convert video to audio files with 30X faster speed and high-quality output.
Support 1,000+ video/audio formats like MP4/MOV/MKV/AVI/MP3/WAV/WMA/M4A, and so on.
Download videos to MP3 files directly by pasting URLs.
Built-in video/audio editor to crop, trim, rotate, add watermarks, apply effects to the video/audio files.
Transfer video/audio files from PC/Mac to iOS/Android devices via a USB cable.
Burn and customize videos to DVD with free DVD menu templates.
Toolbox with additional functions like VR Converter, GIF Maker, Fix Media Metadata, Cast to TV, and more.
Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7, Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6.
Security Verified. 5,481,347 people have downloaded it.
Video Tutorial to Convert Video to Audio Using Wondershare UniConverter
Steps to Convert Video to Audio with the Best Video to Audio Converter:
Step 1 Open Wondershare Video to Audio Converter and Add Videos
Download Wondershare video to audio converter from its official website or download links above, then install and launch it quickly. By default, you'll go to the Video Converter tab. Click on the button to browse and import local video files to be converted. Drag and drop is also available here.
Step 2 Choose Output Audio Format
Apple iphone apps. After videos are added, click on Output Format: drop-down menu on the top-right corner. From the new window, select the Audio tab that will show the list of supported audio formats. Select your desired audio format from the list and the output quality from the given options.
Step 3 Convert Videos to Audio Files
On the bottom File Location location, select folder on your computer where the converted file will be saved. Click on Start All button to start converting video files to audio format. On the program interface, the converted audio files can be checked from the Finished tab.
Conclusion: Wondershare UniConverter is a complete conversion tool if you want to convert MP4 to MP3 files with a good experience on speed, quality, formats, and others. Just download and install the program and enjoy loss quality audio extraction from your video files.
When you want to edit an audio file or when you want to create or record your own music, you need a capable audio editing software that has all the features, can handle long sessions of recording, and even lets you make and manage music. In our previous articles we covered free audio editing software, but most of them contain ads, upgrade prompts, and even limitations. To deal with that, here are some of the best free and open-source audio editing software.
Read: 7 Best Audio Editor for Android (2018)
Open Source Audio Editors
1. Audacity
Audacity is one of the best in terms of features, accessibility, and plugins. I use Audacity from time to time for some minor tasks like converting M4A format to MP3, Splitting MP3 files, removing noise from old audio files, etc. The user interface is traditional and looks a bit dated but it is very user friendly and gets the job done without any hiccups.
We use audacity to edit audio for our YouTube channel
Audacity supports a wide range of audio formats including but not limited to WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AU, MP3, etc. When it comes to editing, you can do things like recording, import and export, scrubbing and seeking, cut, copy, paste, mix multiple tracks, etc. It also lets you undo without any limits, has automatic crash recovery, sync-lock tracks, and much more useful features.
Read: How to Improve Your Voice Over With Audacity
You can also add various included effects, reduce noise, change pitch and tempo, isolate vocals, generate tones, etc. The best part is, Audacity supports external plugins to improve and/or add extra functionality. Simply put, no matter who you are, just download and install Audacity. It will come in handy from time to time. After all, Audacity is completely free.
Pro Tip: You can also use Audacity to record audio coming out of the computer.
Platform support: Audacity supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Install Audacity (free)
Open Source Audio Mixing Software
2. Traverso DAW
Traverso DAW is a powerful audio editing and audio recording software for Linux users. You can edit multi-track audio with layers and effects. If you want to, you can record the complete band and burn it to a CD or DVD directly from Traverso DAW, no need of yet another software. Just like Audacity, the user interface looks dated but once you get comfortable, it is very user-friendly. You can connect multiple instruments to Traverso DAW and record them in multiple tracks with ease.
Traverso DAW is officially only available to Linux users and you need to know how to compile Traverso DAW from the source and then install it. That being said, on some distributions, like on Ubuntu and its derivatives, you can install Traverso DAW with a single command. Optionally, you can check for its availability on the included app store.
If you are looking for a scalable professional audio editing software that can effortlessly manage recording multiple instruments then try Traverso DAW.
Platform support: Traverso DAW is available for Linux.
Install Traverso DAW (free)
3. Ardour
Ardour is a professional open-source audio editing workstation for Windows, Mac, and Linux users. One of the best features of Ardour is its Flexible Recording. Using which you’ll be able to set layered, destructive, and non-layered modes on per track basis. You can even manage individual monitoring options per track by simply clicking on the individual monitor buttons. The Mixer section of Ardour is one of the best compared to other software on this list. It has a ton of options with a friendly user interface.
Other features of Ardour include but not limited to non-linear and non-destructive track editing, unlimited multichannel tracks, ability to extract audio from video, lock audio and MIDI regions, blank frames, automation, mixing, support for external plugins, ability to import and export, etc. The source code is available for free but you’d need to compile it manually on your computer, however, you can simply donate a small amount to the dev and download the compiled file directly.
Platform support: Ardour supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Install Ardour (free)
4. Mixxx
If you are into DJing then Mixxx is the one to go for. The software is designed to be friendly for both beginners and professionals alike. Gettings started with Mixxx is easy, simply drag a song into Mixxx and you can start manipulating it using beats, cue points, and scrollable and scratchable waveforms among other things.
You will also have access to various features like sampler decks, pitch, and key control, master sync, beat looping, chained effects, built-in music library, key and bpm detection, recording, live broadcasting, etc. There is also a fun feature called Auto DJ which can take over your job in the time of need. All you have to do is point it towards a playlist and you are good to go.
Of course, being a DJ software, it has multiple skins with a customizable layout. If you not a fan of the default layout then you only limited by your imagination when it comes to layout customization.
Platform support: Ardour supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Open Source Audio Conversion Software Download
Install Mixxx (free)
5. Qtractor
Open Source Audio Video Software
Qtractor is an Audio and/or MIDI multi-track sequencer application. Unlike all the other applications shared in this list, Qtractor is designed for professionals. Also, it gives you the power of the Jack Audio Connection Kit. In fact, you need to have Jack Audio Connection Kit in order to work with Qtractor on your Linux machine. Unfortunately, though Qtractor is easy to use and has support for Jack Audio Connection Kit, it is not as complex or flexible as Ardour.
Features of Qtractor include but not limited to unlimited undos and redos, built-in connection patch bay control, multi-select, drag and drop, multi-track tape recorder, loop recording, unlimited location markers, MMC control surface, session or project description files, support for non-destructive and non-linear editing, Jack Audio Connection Kit transport sync, etc. Apple keyboard home.
Platform support: Linux only.
Install Qtractor (free)
Final Words
These are some of the best open-source audio editors out there. Unless you have a specific need for a special feature, Audacity works just fine for most people. However, if you have a better alternative that is not listed here, let me know in the comments below.