How to Convert Video to MP3 For Free

For lovers of soundtracks and sound effects, here are some free downloads of MP3 converter software for PC or Mac, to enable you to convert video to MP3 audio

Among the more consistently popular free downloads of software for PC or Mac is the MP3 converter – a utility that enables you to convert digital video to MP3 audio. In this article, we’ve assembled three of the best – all of them available as free downloads from FileHippo.

Why Convert Video to MP3?

The process of converting files from one digital format to another is known as transcoding. It can happen within a class of file (saving a text document from Rich Text Format (RTF) to a Microsoft Word DOCX file, for example), but can also take place across different media types. For example, you might want to extract all the embedded graphics files from a PDF.

Many people perform this task because of compatibility concerns. If you have a collection of documents or media that were created on a platform which is not very widely used anymore, using converter software can transform these files into a format which you can play or read on your present device.

There are lots of different kinds of software for transcoding media. These include audio converters, media players, CD and DVD burning applications, media managers, and dedicated ripping software. But transcoding also makes it possible to use content from one medium in another. Using an MP3 converter, pictures and sound together (i.e. video) can be transformed to just sound (MP3 audio). And these sounds may then be stored and used in several different ways.

Collecting Sound Effects

MP3 converter software usually contains tools for marking out and extracting audio from specific clips of a movie or video file. So, if there’s a sound effect that you like, it’s possible to snip this out and convert it from video to MP3.

Sound effect clips created in this manner may then be used in several ways. If you’re a sound engineer or video editor, they can be collected as a library and used in your projects. They’re also a great way to jazz up your Windows sound schemes or create new ones from scratch.

Snipping Out Quotes and Dialogue

Video to MP3 converters can also be used to extract sound clips of your favourite quotes or complete pieces of dialogue from a film, TV show, or video presentation. You can quickly build up a library of the best cinematic speeches in the world, in a file format that doesn’t take up as much space on your hard drive as the complete video files.

You can use these clips in your audio and video creations or, again, as additions to your desktop sound schemes.

Collecting Soundtracks and Incidental Music

Using software to convert video to MP3 makes it easy to create audio files of your favourite movie soundtracks or incidental music – again, without having to store the entire film on your device.

If you intend to use these clips in publicly distributed media (presentations, free downloads for your website visitors, etc.) you’ll have to exercise some caution and due diligence with regard to copyright protected material and intellectual property.

Creating Your Own Music and Films

You know all those sometimes (often) annoying fan-made videos on YouTube? They are frequently the early stages in the development of emerging film-makers, and video to MP3 conversion software gives these budding Spielbergs a chance to insert professional-quality sound effects, dialogue, and music into their films. Likewise, aspiring musicians can use borrowed audio clips for adding samples to their latest mixes.

However, unsanctioned use of these audio clips and soundtracks is often the reason why so many of these videos don’t last more than a day or so before YouTube takes them down. It’s also a bone of contention (and basis for many lawsuits) in the music business, so proceed with caution.

Making Audio Books

Video to MP3 conversion is also a great way to transcribe video lectures, presentations, and book readings into a more portable form. In this way, audio books and recorded speeches can be stored on mobile devices and listened to at leisure or packaged up as a podcast.

Free Downloads of MP3 Converter Software for PC and Mac

If the above has sold you on the concept of video to MP3 conversion, then you’ve come to the right place, as FileHippo hosts a selection of software for transcoding video into MP3.

Here are three of the best.

Voilabits TubeConverter for Mac 

Voilabits TubeConverter for Mac (Image Source: Voilabits)

Voilabits TubeConverter for Mac describes itself as the “ultimate video download solution to download SD & HD (including 1080p and 4K) videos from all popular websites.” Version 4.2.0 can convert video to over 290 different formats – so you’re reasonably sure to find one that’s compatible with your favourite digital player.

Using the software, you can easily covert YouTube videos to MP3, WMA, WAV, and M4A. Playback of the audio may then be enjoyed on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, QuickTime, Android, Xbox, Samsung, Windows Phone, Blackberry, and many other players.

Streaming video may be downloaded by dragging and dropping the YouTube thumbnail image onto the Voilabits interface or copying its web address into a text box. Multiple simultaneous downloads are possible, and there are a range of tweaking tools for perfecting the output. YouTube and over 50 other streaming media websites are covered by the software.

Voilabits TubeConverter for Mac is distributed as shareware, so you can try before you buy, or keep for free, albeit with a limited set of features. You can upgrade to the full version to access all the features for under $30.00.

Free Video to MP3 Converter

Free Video To MP3 Converter (Image Source: DVDVideoSoft)

With the Free Video to MP3 Converter from DVDVideoSoft, you can extract audio from movie files and convert video to MP3 or WAV Lossless Audio. Sound files may be saved in High, Standard, or Economy mode, and the software can also handle high-quality sound formats including OGG, FLAC, and APE.

Ease of use is central to the package, and Free Video to MP3 Converter lets you choose files from a browsing window, drag and drop, or right-click-to-add, and change output names. The software takes a snapshot image from the middle of the video and adds title tags and artwork automatically, which can be viewed on iTunes, Winamp, or in Windows Explorer.

Free Video to MP3 Converter ships as freeware, but the executable includes options to also install certain third-party products or tool-bars, so exercise caution when installing.

Free YouTube to MP3 Converter

Free YouTube To MP3 Converter (Image source: Digital Wave Ltd.)

With claims of over seven million downloads, Free YouTube to MP3 Converter enables users to download YouTube videos and convert them to MP3 or other audio formats, without losses in quality of the original sound. Audio streams may be encoded with Insane and Extreme MP3 quality profiles, as well as AAC, OGG, M4A, plus FLAC, and WAV lossless audio. There are Windows and Mac versions of the software.

One of the strong selling points of Free YouTube to MP3 Converter is its ability to convert entire YouTube play-lists and channels, in a single operation. To use the program, simply copy the web address of the video you want to download, paste it into the text box, choose your output format, click on the download button, and let it do its thing.

Titles, tags, and artwork associated with your file conversions are added automatically, and may be viewed with iTunes, Winamp, or Windows Explorer. Converted MP3s may also be added to iTunes playlists automatically. The free version is limited, but you can upgrade to premium to unlock all benefits.

FileHippo

Whether you’re looking to convert video to MP3 as a music and film specialist, occasional dabbler, or someone who just likes to hear the occasional bit of dialogue from a favourite movie, you’ll find MP3 converter software for PC and Mac, and a host of other free downloads, right here at FileHippo.