Suppose you want to listen to an old podcast, and the only remaining copy is on YouTube. Another possibility is that you want a specific sound effect to experiment with, or extract a small sample from a longer conversation. Basically, what you need is to convert video to MP3, and you can do it with two tools: one online, and another directly on your computer.

Convert Video to MP3: Options for Converting Videos
Convert video to MP3

Separating Sound and Image

The idea of "conversion" may seem a bit confusing at first, because all we need from a technical standpoint is to "cut the chain" that joins audio and video. However, converting the final result is very useful when our intention is to reduce its size and share it online or perform a file transfer.

So, where do we start? First, you don't have to pay a single cent. All that shareware that Google offers in its searches can be replaced effortlessly. And second, the two suggestions we are about to share are very easy to use. In fact, they will be very familiar to you, and you may have used them before...

How to Convert Video to MP3

X2Convert (online)

Convert Video to MP3: Options for Converting Videos
If it's on YouTube, it's a matter of a couple of clicks

That's right: If the video from which you want to extract its audio in MP3 format appears published on YouTube, you can use any of the recommended tools to download music from YouTube. X2Convert is one of our favorites: Enter the video URL, click the MP3 tab, and then Download. After a few seconds, the file will be ready for download.

VLC Player (offline)

Convert Video to MP3: Options for Converting Videos
The classic media player has audio extraction and conversion functions

You knew it, right? VLC Player can convert videos to MP3! The process is a bit longer, but just as simple as the online solutions:

  1. Go to the "Media" menu, and click on Convert
  2. Open the video to process, and click again on Convert / Save
  3. As profile choose Audio - MP3
  4. Adjust the quality options with a click on the wrench
  5. The bitrate and sampling rate are in the "Audio codec" tab
  6. Specify the destination file, and click Start

In a matter of seconds, VLC Player will separate the audio from the video and convert it to the quality you specified. Of course, this does not allow you to "invent" quality, and it will sound the same as the original (or worse, if you chose a bitrate reduction).

Conclusion

Fast, easy, free. Converting video to MP3 is a task that won't cause you any problems with the right tools. Now, what about editing? Don't worry: In the following link you can learn how to edit audio files with the help of a very convenient freeware. Good luck!