How to rip audio from any video file — free, browser-based
- Step 1Open the ripper — Head to Video → MP3. FFmpeg-WASM loads into the page once and then runs offline — no account needed for files under the free 50 MB / 30-minute limit.
- Step 2Drop the video — Drag your music video, concert clip, or soundtrack file (MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM, AVI) onto the dropzone. It's read locally — you'll see the detected duration, sample rate, and channels after FFmpeg probes it. Nothing uploads.
- Step 3Choose 320 kbps for music — Open the Bitrate dropdown — the only control here — and pick 320 kbps · best for songs. The other choices (256, 192, 128, 64 kbps) trade size for fidelity. There's no VBR or quality slider; all options are constant bitrate.
- Step 4Rip — Click the action button. FFmpeg decodes the source audio codec to PCM and re-encodes MP3 at your chosen
-b:a. The source sample rate and stereo layout pass through unchanged — a 48 kHz stereo gig stays 48 kHz stereo. - Step 5Check the result — The result panel reports output size and engine. For music, confirm it's stereo and full-length; if the music-video source had artwork, it's now embedded in the MP3 (check your file's details pane or a tag editor).
- Step 6Polish if needed — Save the MP3. To even out loudness across a ripped album use the loudness normalizer; to shrink a long set for sharing use the audio compressor; to cut a single song from a concert use the audio trimmer.
Bitrate choices for ripping music
For music, higher is better because you're already paying one re-encode generation. These are the exact dropdown values mapped to FFmpeg flags. Sizes assume stereo.
| Dropdown label | FFmpeg flag | ~Size / 4-min song | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps · best | -b:a 320k | ~9.6 MB | Music videos, concert audio, soundtracks — the right default for songs |
| 256 kbps | -b:a 256k | ~7.7 MB | High-quality music where storage is tight; near-transparent |
| 192 kbps · default | -b:a 192k | ~5.8 MB | Tool default; fine for casual listening, less ideal for critical music |
| 128 kbps · podcast | -b:a 128k | ~3.8 MB | Spoken-word video; audible artefacts on complex music |
| 64 kbps · voice | -b:a 64k | ~1.9 MB | Voice memos only — not for music |
Source codec in the video → what the rip does
The audio codec depends on the container. FFmpeg decodes whichever it finds, then encodes MP3. All paths involve one re-encode generation.
| Container | Typical audio codec | Rip result |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 / MOV / M4V | AAC | AAC decoded → MP3 (libmp3lame). One lossy generation |
| WebM | Opus or Vorbis | Opus/Vorbis decoded → MP3. One lossy generation |
| MKV | Anything (AAC, AC3, FLAC, Opus, DTS*) | Decoded → MP3. FLAC source is lossless → MP3 adds the only generation |
| AVI | MP3 or AC3 | Decoded → MP3 re-encode (not a passthrough even if source is MP3) |
| Lossless source (FLAC-in-MKV) | FLAC | For best fidelity, rip to WAV via video-to-wav instead of MP3 |
Cookbook
Real music-ripping jobs, the bitrate chosen, and the FFmpeg command that runs locally. Pick 320 kbps whenever the source is music.
Concert MP4 you filmed → 320 kbps MP3
You recorded a full gig on your phone. The MP4 has AAC stereo audio. You want the whole set as one high-quality MP3 to relive it.
Source: live_set_2026.mp4 (AAC 48kHz stereo, 1:12:00, 1.4 GB) Bitrate dropdown: 320 kbps · best Tier: Pro+Media (the file exceeds Free 50 MB / 30 min) FFmpeg (in-browser): -i live_set_2026.mp4 -map_metadata 0 -map 0:a -map 0:v? \ -c:v copy -disposition:v:0 attached_pic -id3v2_version 3 \ -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 320k live_set_2026.mp3 Output: live_set_2026.mp3 (~165 MB, 48kHz stereo, 1:12:00)
Music video (MP4) with artwork → tagged MP3
An official music video carries the song title, artist, and a cover thumbnail. Ripping at 320 kbps keeps the artwork and tags so it slots straight into your library.
Source: band - single (video).mp4 (AAC + title/artist + cover) Bitrate dropdown: 320 kbps · best Output: band - single (video).mp3 ID3v2.3: Title + Artist preserved Cover art: re-attached as MP3 artwork Result panel: 'Engine: libmp3lame' — confirms a real re-encode.
WebM mix (Opus audio) ripped to MP3
A DJ mix posted as a WebM uses Opus audio. Many DAWs and old players won't take Opus, so you rip to MP3 for compatibility. Still one re-encode generation.
Source: friday_mix.webm (Opus 48kHz stereo) Bitrate dropdown: 320 kbps · best FFmpeg decodes Opus -> PCM -> libmp3lame 320k Output: friday_mix.mp3 (plays in every legacy player)
FLAC-in-MKV soundtrack: rip lossless instead
A high-quality MKV holds a lossless FLAC track. Going to MP3 would throw away the lossless advantage. For an archive, rip to WAV; only go MP3 for a portable copy.
Source: soundtrack.mkv (FLAC 96kHz stereo — lossless) For archival fidelity: use video-to-wav (lossless PCM, no generation loss) For a portable copy: Video -> MP3 at 320k (one generation, but small + universal)
Cut one song out of a long rip
After ripping a whole concert to one MP3, you want just the encore as a shareable clip. Rip first, then trim by timestamp — this tool extracts the full track, not a range.
Step 1: Video -> MP3 (whole gig) -> live_set.mp3 Step 2: audio-trimmer, start 1:04:30 end 1:09:10 -> encore.mp3 The ripper has no time-range control; trimming is the second step.
Edge cases and what actually happens
Music rip sounds slightly worse than the original
ExpectedThe audio in the video was already compressed (AAC/Opus/Vorbis), and ripping to MP3 re-encodes it — one additional lossy generation. Pick 320 kbps to make it as transparent as possible. For zero added loss, rip to WAV with the video-to-wav extractor and keep that as your master.
Concert file exceeds free tier limits
Tier limitA full gig is usually well over the Free 50 MB / 30-minute cap. Pro lifts it to 200 MB / 120 minutes; Pro+Media to 100 GB with no duration limit. Size and duration are checked independently — a long-but-small file can still hit the 30-minute Free cap.
Ripped MP3 plays back too quiet or too loud vs other tracks
PreservedThe rip keeps the source's levels exactly — it doesn't normalise. Live recordings are often quieter than studio tracks. Run the result through the loudness normalizer (EBU R128 / LUFS presets) to match your library's loudness before adding it in.
Don't expect MP3-in-AVI to pass through untouched
Re-encodeEven if an AVI happens to contain an MP3 audio stream, this tool re-encodes through libmp3lame rather than stream-copying it. That means a second generation. There's no stream-copy fast path in the Video → MP3 converter; the trade is universal, correct MP3 output every time.
WebM with Opus at an unusual sample rate
PreservedOpus often runs at 48 kHz. The rip keeps the source sample rate (no -ar is set), so you get a 48 kHz MP3. Some very old players prefer 44.1 kHz — if needed, post-process with the sample-rate converter.
Variable-frame-rate video gives an off-by-a-frame duration
MinorVFR captures (common from phones and screen recorders) can report a duration that's a fraction of a second off. The audio itself is extracted fully; only the displayed length may be marginally imprecise. The MP3 plays correctly start to finish.
Two audio tracks (e.g. crowd mic + board feed)
First track usedSome recordings carry multiple audio streams. -map 0:a selects the default/first track; there is no track picker in this tool. If your gig file has a separate soundboard feed you want instead, that's a multi-track workflow — see the MKV→MP3 guide.
DRM-protected music video
RejectA purchased, DRM-wrapped video can't be decoded by FFmpeg — its packets are encrypted. The rip fails. Only unprotected files you have the right to extract from will process.
Browser memory runs out on a multi-hour set
Resource limitProcessing is local and bounded by the tab's memory. A multi-hour, multi-gigabyte concert can exhaust RAM on a lightweight device even inside tier limits. Use a desktop browser, close other tabs, or split the source first.
No server rip option exists
By designAudio tools are browser-only — there's no /api/v1 audio endpoint or runner. You can't send the video to a JAD server to rip it, which is exactly why your footage stays private on your machine.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I rip music at?
320 kbps · best. Because the audio in a video is already compressed and ripping adds a second lossy generation, going straight to 320 kbps keeps the result as transparent as possible. The default is 192 kbps, which is fine for casual listening but not ideal for music you care about.
Is the rip lossless?
No — going to MP3 always re-encodes. FFmpeg decodes the source codec (AAC, Opus, Vorbis, etc.) and re-encodes with libmp3lame, adding one generation. For a truly lossless rip, use the video-to-wav extractor and keep the WAV as your master.
Does my concert footage get uploaded?
No. Everything runs in your browser via FFmpeg-WASM. There's no upload and no server-side audio API. Your gig recording or unreleased mix never leaves your device.
Will the song's title, artist, and cover art carry over?
Yes, when the source video has them. -map_metadata 0 copies tags into an ID3v2.3 header and -disposition:v:0 attached_pic re-attaches any embedded thumbnail as MP3 cover art — so a music-video rip shows artwork in your player.
Can I rip Opus or Vorbis audio from a WebM?
Yes. FFmpeg decodes Opus or Vorbis from the WebM container and re-encodes to MP3, so the result plays in legacy players and DAWs that don't support those codecs. It's still one re-encode generation.
How long a recording can I rip?
Free: up to 30 minutes and 50 MB. Pro: 120 minutes / 200 MB. Pro+Media: unlimited duration up to 100 GB — built for full multi-hour sets. Duration and size are separate checks.
Can I rip just one song from a long video?
The ripper extracts the whole audio track. Rip the full file, then use the audio trimmer to cut the song you want by start/end timestamps. There's no time-range control in the ripper itself.
Why is my ripped concert so quiet compared to studio tracks?
The rip preserves the source levels exactly — it doesn't normalise. Live audio is often recorded quieter. Run the MP3 through the loudness normalizer to bring it up to a consistent LUFS target for your library.
Does it support MKV and AVI as well as MP4?
Yes — MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM, and AVI all work. The container's audio codec is decoded and re-encoded to MP3. There's a dedicated MKV→MP3 guide for containers with multiple or unusual audio tracks.
My music video is a paid download — can I rip it?
If it's DRM-protected, no. FFmpeg can't decode encrypted streams, so the rip fails. Only unprotected files you have the rights to process will work.
Is there a VBR or quality-slider option?
No. This tool exposes a single Bitrate dropdown with five constant-bitrate options (320/256/192/128/64 kbps). For variable-bitrate workflows you'd handle that elsewhere; for ripping music, 320 kbps CBR is the right choice.
Can I rip a FLAC track from an MKV without quality loss?
Not as MP3 — MP3 is lossy, so even a FLAC source loses a generation. For a lossless extract from an MKV, use the video-to-wav extractor, which outputs uncompressed PCM. Only go MP3 when you specifically want a small, portable copy.
Privacy first
Every JAD Audio tool runs entirely in your browser via FFmpeg (WebAssembly) and RNNoise. Your audio files never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.