Extract Audio from Video as MP3 with Avidemux

Extracting audio from a video means separating the soundtrack from the video file and saving it as a standalone audio file. Avidemux can do this in under a minute: you open the video, tell Avidemux to encode the audio as MP3, and save — the result is an .mp3 file containing just the sound.

Key idea: In Avidemux, “saving” always writes whatever the current Audio/Video Output settings describe. When you only care about audio, the video settings barely matter — set Video Output to Copy (or leave it) and focus on Audio Output plus the Output Format.

Step-by-Step: Video to MP3

  1. Open the video: File → Open and select your video file.
  2. Check there is an audio track: open File → Properties and confirm an audio stream is listed (codec, channels, sample rate). If the file genuinely has no audio track, there is nothing to extract.
  3. Set the audio encoder: in the left-hand panel, change Audio Output from Copy to MP3 (lame).
  4. Choose the bitrate: click Configure next to the audio encoder. 128 kbps is perfectly fine for speech and casual listening; 192 kbps gives audibly better quality for music and is a good default if file size does not matter much.
  5. Set the output format: change Output Format to MP3 (not MP4/MKV — those are video containers).
  6. Save: File → Save, type a file name, and make sure it ends with .mp3. Avidemux writes the audio-only file.

Don’t worry about the video settings. Since the Output Format is MP3, only the audio stream is written. You can leave Video Output on Copy — it is effectively ignored for an MP3 save.

Tips

  • Batch idea: repeat the same settings per file; Avidemux remembers your last audio encoder choice within a session.
  • Quality vs. size: a 3-minute song is roughly 2.8 MB at 128k and 4.2 MB at 192k.
  • Sample rate: the default (usually 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz inherited from the source) is fine — no need to change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

The extracted file has no sound. What went wrong?

Most common causes: the source video had no audio track to begin with (check File → Properties), or the Output Format was left on MP4/MKV instead of MP3. Also verify that Audio Output is set to MP3 (lame) and not accidentally muted or set to a disabled track.

Can I extract to WAV or FLAC instead of MP3?

Yes. The Audio Output dropdown offers several encoders beyond MP3 (lame), including lossless-capable ones depending on your Avidemux build — pick the encoder you want and match the Output Format accordingly. MP3 remains the best choice for maximum compatibility with phones, cars, and players.

Which MP3 bitrate should I choose?

128 kbps is enough for podcasts, lectures, and voice recordings. 192 kbps is the sweet spot for music — noticeably better than 128k at a modest size increase. Going above 192k rarely pays off for audio pulled from already-compressed video soundtracks.