Clipchamp Export Audio Only: How to Do It
- Average speed
- km/h
- Result
- Finish time
- 50 min
- You entered
- Distance
- 10 km
- You entered
Clipchamp does not have a direct “export audio only” button, but you can extract the audio track from a video project by exporting a video file and then converting or extracting the audio using a separate tool. This article explains the workarounds, why the feature is missing, and what your options are.
Formula
The average pace is the total time divided by the distance:
pace = t / d
Where:
- t = total time in minutes
- d = distance in kilometers
The average speed is the distance divided by the time in hours:
speed = d / (t / 60)
Where the time in hours is the minutes divided by 60.
Worked Example
Using the default values: t = 50 minutes, d = 10 km.
Pace = 50 / 10 = 5.00 min/km
Speed = 10 / (50 / 60) = 10 / 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h
Why Clipchamp Lacks a Direct Audio Export
Clipchamp is a video editor first. Its export menu offers video resolutions (480p, 720p, 1080p, 4K) and formats (MP4, MOV) but no audio-only option. The developers have focused on video output, so users who need an MP3 or WAV file must use a workaround. This is a common complaint on Microsoft’s community forums, but as of now, no native feature has been added.
Method 1: Export Video Then Extract Audio
The most straightforward method is to export your project as a normal video file, then use a free audio extractor to pull the sound out. Here’s how:
- In Clipchamp, finish your project and click Export.
- Choose a video resolution (1080p is fine for audio quality) and export the MP4 file.
- Open an online audio extractor (e.g., cloudconvert.com, online-audio-converter.com) or a desktop tool like Audacity (free, open source).
- Upload the MP4, select the output format (MP3, WAV, etc.), and convert.
This adds a step but is reliable and works with any video editor that lacks audio export.
Method 2: Mute Video Track and Export
If you only need the audio for listening and don’t care about file size, you can simply mute the video track in Clipchamp and export a video file that contains only the audio (with a black screen). This isn’t a true audio file, but it can be played on any device that supports video. To do this:
- In Clipchamp, select the video clip on the timeline.
- Click the volume icon (or adjust the volume slider to 0%).
- Export the video as usual.
The resulting file will have no video content, but it will still be in MP4 format, not MP3.
Method 3: Use a Screen Recorder (Less Recommended)
Some users try to record the audio by playing the video and using a screen recorder that captures system audio. This is less reliable because it depends on your computer’s audio routing, and the quality can degrade. It also takes real time to record. Avoid this unless you have no other option.
Comparing the Methods
Here’s a quick comparison of the three workarounds:
- Video export + extractor: Best quality, extra step, requires an external tool.
- Mute video and export: Simple, but output is still a video file, not a true audio file.
- Screen recording: Poor quality, time-consuming, not recommended.
For most users, the first method is the best balance of effort and quality.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
When extracting audio from an exported video, watch out for these issues:
- Wrong format: MP3 is compressed and loses some quality. If you need lossless audio, choose WAV or FLAC.
- Bitrate settings: For MP3, 320 kbps is the highest quality. Many free converters default to 128 kbps, which sounds noticeably worse.
- Copyright: If you extracted audio from a copyrighted source, you may not have the right to use it. This is a legal issue, not a technical one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export just the audio from Clipchamp without a converter?
No, Clipchamp doesn’t have a native audio export option. You must export a video file and then use a separate tool to extract the audio.
Does the video resolution affect audio quality when extracting?
No, the video resolution doesn’t affect the audio track’s quality. The audio is stored separately in the MP4 container, so even a 480p export will have the same audio quality as a 4K export.
What’s the best free audio extractor?
Audacity is a free, open-source desktop program that can import video files and export audio. Online tools like cloudconvert.com are also free and require no installation, but they have file size limits.
Can I extract audio from a Clipchamp project without exporting first?
No, you need to export the project to a video file first. There’s no way to access the raw audio files directly from the project.
Will the audio be out of sync if I mute the video track?
No, muting the video track doesn’t affect the audio track’s timing. The audio will still play at the correct time, just with no visual content.
Is there a way to export audio in Clipchamp for free?
Yes, all the methods described here are free. Clipchamp’s free tier allows exporting up to 1080p, and the audio extractors are free as well.
Related
Formula used
in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0 in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2 out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2
Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.