How to save YouTube audio

Add exclusive YouTube background music and voiceovers to videos or listen to your favorite podcasts and YouTubers without needing internet by downloading YouTube sound in MP3 format.

This guide explores how to download YouTube sound to a computer and OneDrive with Clipchamp video editor.

How to download audio from YouTube with YouTube Premium

Users can legally download YouTube audio and videos without limitations with YouTube Premium. YouTube Premium is a monthly subscription that lets users watch and listen to videos offline, without ads. With over 125 million subscribers globally, YouTube Premium has become a popular choice for ad-free viewing and offline downloads.

Sign up to YouTube Premium

To sign up for YouTube Premium, follow the steps below.  

1. Visit YouTube Premium and click on any of the try for free button.

2. Follow the on-screen prompts to sign up.

Download with YouTube premium

To download a video directly from YouTube, follow these steps.  

1. Open the YouTube video you would like to download. 

2. Click or tap on the download button found under the video.  

3. Your video will automatically start downloading to your device. 

Once you have downloaded YouTube audio to your computer, you can easily file or even add audio to a video with Clipchamp.

Once YouTube audio has been downloaded to a computer, easily remove audio from the videofile. If you don't want to use YouTube premium, read how to download YouTube videos for free.

How to download YouTube audio to computer for free

Users can save MP3 audio from a video using Clipchamp video editor. Simply import a YouTube video into Clipchamp, then export audio only. You can also use the detach audio feature to separate audio from video. This method provides a safe, reliable way to extract audio without needing external downloaders or risking malware from untrusted sites.

To extract audio from YouTube videos using Clipchamp video editor, follow the steps below.

1. Download the YouTube video to computer using YouTube Premium or another method.

2. Open Clipchamp video editor and import the video file.

3. Drag and drop video onto the timeline.

4. Click on the export button then select audio only.

Remember to respect YouTube's copyright policy when converting YouTube videos to MP3.

How to download YouTube sound to OneDrive

Saving YouTube audio to OneDrive is easy with Clipchamp video editor. All you have to do is edit and export audio only straight to your OneDrive account. Make sure to link your OneDrive account to Clipchamp.

OneDrive integration with Microsoft 365 makes it seamless to store and access YouTube audio files from any device, whether on a computer, phone, or tablet.

How to edit YouTube audio in Clipchamp

After extracting audio from YouTube videos, refine and customize audio clips for any project with Clipchamp video editor. Transform basic YouTube to MP3 downloads into polished audio content ready for any professional or personal project.

• Trim audio clips: remove unwanted sections from the beginning or end of audio files. Click on the audio track in the timeline, then drag the handles to trim to the desired length. This feature helps create perfect loops or remove introductions and outros.

• Adjust volume levels: balance audio levels for consistent playback. Select the audio track and use the volume slider in the property panel. Increase volume for quiet recordings or decrease for loud audio that might distort. This ensures audio integrates smoothly with video content.

• Add fade effects: create professional transitions with fade-in and fade-out effects. These smooth audio starts and stops prevent jarring cuts. Access fade options in the property panel after selecting the audio track. Fade effects work particularly well for background music that needs to blend seamlessly with dialogue or other audio layers.

• Combine multiple audio tracks: to layer different audio sources for rich soundscapes. Import multiple audio files and arrange them on separate timeline tracks. This allows mixing background music with voiceovers, sound effects, or dialogue. Adjust individual track volumes to create the perfect audio mix.

• Split and rearrange audio: cut audio clips into segments and rearrange them in any order. Click on the audio track at the desired split point, then use the split tool. This feature helps create audio compilations, rearrange music sections, or remove unwanted portions from the middle of clips.

• Export edited audio: after editing, export audio as a standalone MP3 file or as part of a complete video project. Clipchamp video editor maintains audio quality throughout the editing process, ensuring the final exported file sounds exactly as intended.

Understanding audio quality and file formats

• MP3 format: MP3 files offer excellent compatibility across all devices and platforms while maintaining reasonable file sizes. Most YouTube to MP3 converter tools default to this format because of its universal support.

• Bitrate explained: audio quality is measured in kilobits per second (kbps). Higher bitrates mean better quality but larger file sizes. Standard quality sits at 128 kbps, high quality at 192 kbps, and premium quality reaches 320 kbps. For offline listening and casual use, 192 kbps provides a good balance between quality and storage space.

• AAC vs MP3: while MP3 remains the standard, AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) offers slightly better quality at the same bit rate. However, MP3's universal compatibility makes it the preferred choice for most users downloading audio from YouTube.

Note: when using Clipchamp video editor to extract audio, the exported MP3 maintains the original video's audio quality, ensuring no quality loss during the extraction process.

YouTube audio downloads best practices

Check copyright and usage rights

Always verify that the audio content can be legally downloaded and used. YouTube Premium subscribers have the right to download content for offline listening, while royalty-free music from YouTube Audio Library is free to use. For copyrighted music, obtain proper permissions before downloading or using in projects.

Organize audio files effectively

Create a clear folder structure for downloaded audio. Group files by category, such as background music, voiceovers, sound effects, or podcasts. This organization saves time when searching for specific audio during video editing projects.

Use descriptive file names

Rename downloaded files with clear, searchable names. Instead of generic names like "audio_001.mp3," use descriptive titles like "upbeat_background_music_jazz.mp3" or "tutorial_voiceover_intro.mp3."

Storage management

MP3 files from YouTube typically range from three to 10 MB per minute of audio. Monitor storage space, especially when building a large audio library, to ensure optimal usage. Cloud storage solutions, such as OneDrive, help manage growing collections while keeping files accessible across multiple devices.

Consider YouTube Premium benefits

For frequent offline listening, YouTube Premium offers legitimate downloads without needing YouTube to MP3 conversion tools. Downloads remain accessible within the YouTube app and don't require storage management or file organization.

Looking for more ways to enhance your YouTube videos? Take a look at 10 audio editing hacks, explore our ultimate guide to YouTube Shorts or use our YouTube video trimmer to cut audio and video clips.

Create YouTube videos today with Clipchamp for free or download the Clipchamp Windows app.