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MegaDownloader can extract audio from videos and save them as MP3 files using yt-dlp’s audio extraction feature powered by FFmpeg.

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Audio-Only Checkbox

The main download panel includes an “Audio only” checkbox (audioChk) that enables audio extraction mode (MainPanel.java:371-379).

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Enabling Audio Extraction

1

Check the Audio only box

Before clicking Download, check the Audio only checkbox next to the Download button.The checkbox is located at coordinates (410, 320) in the main panel.
2

Paste video URL and download

Paste your video URL and click the Download button as normal.The download process will automatically extract only the audio track.
3

Audio extraction begins

When audio-only mode is enabled, yt-dlp is invoked with special flags (MainPanel.java:570-574):
if (audioOnly) {
    command.add("-x");  // Extract audio
    command.add("--audio-format");
    command.add("mp3");  // Convert to MP3
}
The -x flag tells yt-dlp to extract audio, while --audio-format mp3 specifies the output format.

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FFmpeg Integration

Audio extraction requires FFmpeg to be installed and accessible to yt-dlp.

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FFmpeg Auto-Detection

MegaDownloader automatically searches for FFmpeg in the same directory as yt-dlp (MainPanel.java:222-254): 
private String getFfmpegLocation() {
    String ytdlpPath = getYtDlpPath();
    if (ytdlpPath != null) {
        File ytdlpDir = ytdlpFile.getParentFile();
        File ffmpegExe = new File(ytdlpDir, "ffmpeg.exe");
        File ffprobeExe = new File(ytdlpDir, "ffprobe.exe");
        
        if (ffmpegExe.exists() && ffprobeExe.exists()) {
            return ytdlpDir.getAbsolutePath();
        }
    }
}
The auto-detection looks for both:
  • ffmpeg.exe - Main FFmpeg executable for audio/video processing
  • ffprobe.exe - Media information utility

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Manual FFmpeg Configuration

If auto-detection fails, you can manually specify the FFmpeg path in config.txt (MainPanel.java:239-250): 
ffmpegPath:"C:\\ffmpeg\\bin"
The manual path is checked if auto-detection doesn’t find FFmpeg in the yt-dlp directory.

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FFmpeg Location in Download Command

When FFmpeg is found, its location is passed to yt-dlp (MainPanel.java:554-557): 
if (ffmpegLocation != null) {
    command.add("--ffmpeg-location");
    command.add(ffmpegLocation);
}

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Audio Extraction Workflow

Here’s what happens when you download with audio-only mode enabled:
1

yt-dlp downloads video

yt-dlp first downloads the video file with the best audio quality.
2

FFmpeg extracts audio

FFmpeg extracts the audio track from the video container.This happens automatically through yt-dlp’s integration.
3

Conversion to MP3

FFmpeg converts the extracted audio to MP3 format.The application specifically requests MP3 output using --audio-format mp3.
4

Cleanup

yt-dlp removes the original video file, keeping only the MP3.The final file is saved with a .mp3 extension.

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FFmpeg Not Found Warning

If you enable audio-only mode but FFmpeg is not detected, you’ll see a warning dialog (MainPanel.java:516-537):
FFmpeg not found! Audio extraction requires FFmpeg.Please either:
  1. Place ffmpeg.exe and ffprobe.exe in: [yt-dlp directory]
  2. Add ffmpegPath:"C:\\path\\to\\ffmpeg\\folder" to config.txt
Continue download anyway?
You can choose to continue the download, but it may fail if FFmpeg is required for the extraction.

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Setting Up FFmpeg

1

Download FFmpeg

Download FFmpeg from the official website or a Windows build.You need both ffmpeg.exe and ffprobe.exe.
2

Option 1: Place in yt-dlp directory

Copy ffmpeg.exe and ffprobe.exe to the same folder as yt-dlp.exe.MegaDownloader will auto-detect them on next launch.
3

Option 2: Configure manual path

Edit config.txt and add the FFmpeg directory:
path:"C:\\Tools\\yt-dlp.exe"
downloadDir:"C:\\Users\\YourName\\Downloads"
ffmpegPath:"C:\\Tools\\ffmpeg\\bin"

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Audio Format Details

MegaDownloader currently supports MP3 as the audio format:

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MP3 Specifications

  • Format: MPEG Layer 3
  • Container: .mp3
  • Codec: Determined by FFmpeg (typically LAME encoder)
  • Bitrate: Determined by yt-dlp’s best audio selection
  • Sample Rate: Preserved from source

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Supported Audio Extensions

The application recognizes the following audio file types (MainPanel.java:273-277):
  • .mp3 - MPEG Layer 3
  • .m4a - MPEG-4 Audio
  • .opus - Opus codec
  • .wav - Waveform Audio
  • .flac - Free Lossless Audio Codec
  • .aac - Advanced Audio Coding
While MegaDownloader can manage various audio formats, the audio extraction feature specifically outputs MP3 files.

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M3U Playlist for Audio

If you have M3U playlist creation enabled in Preferences, MegaDownloader will automatically create a playlist for downloaded audio files (MainPanel.java:263-323).

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Audio File Filtering

When audioOnly mode is enabled, the M3U playlist includes only audio files (MainPanel.java:274-278): 
if (audioOnly) {
    if (lowerFilename.endsWith(".mp3") || lowerFilename.endsWith(".m4a")
            || lowerFilename.endsWith(".opus") || lowerFilename.endsWith(".wav")
            || lowerFilename.endsWith(".flac") || lowerFilename.endsWith(".aac")) {
        filteredFiles.add(filename);
    }
}

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M3U File Location

The playlist is saved as playlist.m3u in your download directory (MainPanel.java:294-299).

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Progress Tracking for Audio

Audio extraction progress is tracked through yt-dlp’s output:

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Extraction Status Messages

The application monitors for extraction-specific output (MainPanel.java:605): 
[ExtractAudio] Destination: song.mp3
This message indicates FFmpeg has successfully extracted and converted the audio.

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Progress Bar Updates

The progress bar shows:
  • Download progress during video download phase
  • Continues updating during audio extraction
  • Completes when the final MP3 is ready

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Playing Audio Files

After downloading an audio file:
  1. The “Play Last Downloaded File” button becomes visible
  2. Clicking it opens the MP3 in your default audio player
  3. The file is opened using Java’s Desktop API (MainPanel.java:704-737)
If you have a preferred audio player, you can set it as your system’s default for .mp3 files, and MegaDownloader will use it automatically.

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Troubleshooting Audio Extraction

Cause: FFmpeg not found or not properly configuredSolution:
  • Check that ffmpeg.exe and ffprobe.exe are in the yt-dlp directory
  • Or add ffmpegPath to config.txt
  • Restart MegaDownloader after configuration
Cause: FFmpeg conversion failedSolution:
  • Check console output for FFmpeg error messages
  • Ensure FFmpeg has write permissions to the download directory
  • Verify the source video actually has an audio track
Cause: Source video has low-quality audioSolution:
  • yt-dlp automatically selects the best available audio quality
  • Some videos only have low-bitrate audio available
  • Try downloading from a different source

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Next Steps

Download Videos

Learn how to download full video files

Manage Audio Files

Browse and manage your downloaded audio library

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