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How to extract audio from MP4s with ease

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MP4 videos are widely used for captivating visuals, but extracting audio from them is valuable when creating standalone audio, unique ringtones, or background music. This article explores methods and tools to extract audio seamlessly from MP4s across different operating systems and audio formats.

MP4 videos have become a staple in the digital world, delivering captivating visuals and impressive content. However, what if you wish to focus solely on the audio aspect of an MP4 video? Whether you need to create a standalone audio file, a unique ringtone for your iPhone, or background music for your video editing projects, extracting audio from MP4s is a valuable skill to possess. In this article, we'll explore various methods and tools to help you extract audio seamlessly, catering to different operating systems and audio formats.

Extracting Audio from MP4 Videos: Methods and Tools

  1. Using Video Editors: Many video editing software, like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and iMovie, offer the option to export audio-only files. Simply import your MP4 video into the video editor, remove the video portion, and save the audio file in your desired format.
  2. Using Audio Extractors: Dedicated audio extractor tools, such as VLC Media Player, Audacity, and FFmpeg, provide precise control over audio extraction. With FFmpeg, a powerful open-source command-line tool, you can extract audio from MP4 videos across various formats like WAV, OGG, FLAC, AAC, and more.
  3. Using Online Tools: For a quick and straightforward solution, numerous online audio extractors allow you to upload your MP4 video, choose your preferred audio format (e.g., MP3, WAV, or OGG), and convert/save the extracted audio.

Choosing the Right Audio Format

When extracting audio from MP4s, consider the output audio format carefully. For high-quality audio, WAV, FLAC, and AIFF are lossless formats, preserving the original audio quality. MP3 and AAC are popular compressed formats that balance audio quality with smaller file sizes, making them ideal for various applications.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

  1. Using VLC Media Player:
    • Open VLC and go to "Media" in the menu bar.
    • Select "Convert/Save" and load your MP4 video.
    • Choose "Audio - MP3" or your desired output format.
    • Click "Start" to begin the extraction process.
  2. Using Audacity:
    • Import your MP4 video into Audacity.
    • Select the audio you wish to extract and go to "File > Export > Export Selected Audio."
    • Choose your preferred audio format and save the file.

Tips and Considerations

  • When extracting audio, remember to check if your selected output format is compatible with your intended use (e.g., ringtone, background music, etc.).
  • Beware of background music or subtitles within the video, which may inadvertently get included in the extracted audio. Video editors and audio extraction tools usually offer options to remove these elements during the process.
  • For Mac users, QuickTime Player allows you to extract audio with a simple right-click on the MP4 video file.
  • When extracting audio from YouTube videos, be mindful of copyright and usage restrictions.

Use Speechify’s Tools to Separate Audio Files

Speechify is a versatile audio tool that simplifies the process of extracting audio from MP4 files across various operating systems. Whether you're on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, or Android, Speechify seamlessly handles MP4 files, along with other formats like MOV, AVI, MKV, and more. With its advanced encoding capabilities, Speechify ensures high-quality output as it converts MP4 audio to popular formats like MP3, WMA, and MP3. Its user-friendly interface allows you to adjust settings such as bitrate and codec to suit your preferences. Additionally, you can easily specify the file format and name for the extracted audio. Moreover, Speechify offers convenient cloud storage integration, enabling you to save your audio files directly to Google Drive. Available as a free download, Speechify provides a quick and efficient solution for ripping audio from MP4 files, making it a valuable audio converter and editor for all your multimedia needs. Extracting audio from MP4 videos opens up a world of creative possibilities, from creating standalone audio files to designing personalized ringtones or background music for video projects. With an array of tools and methods available across different operating systems, you can conveniently extract audio in your preferred format. Master this skill, and you'll unlock a treasure trove of audio gems hidden within your MP4 videos, ready to elevate your audio experiences and multimedia projects to new heights.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.