This article shows you how to download music from any website to your computer. If the song you are interested in is published as a video on sites like YouTube, Facebook or other streaming platforms, you can extract the audio track and download it to your computer using an app called 4K Video Downloader. The same application will also allow you to download music from the SoundCloud website. To download music played from any other website that you have access to from your computer in MP3 format, you can use Audacity without worrying that sounds, effects or environmental disturbances may be inserted into the recording. The latter will also allow you to edit the newly acquired audio track according to your needs, before exporting it to MP3 format. Finally, it is also explained how to download the audio tracks that are used as background music by some websites directly using the source code of the page visible within the browser.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Download Audio Track of Distributed Videos from Streaming Sites
Step 1. Understand when to use this method
The application you will need to use in this procedure allows you to locally download the audio tracks of the videos published on the following websites:
- YouTube;
- Facebook;
- SoundCloud;
- Vimeo;
- Flickr;
- Dailymotion;
- Although support for videos posted on the Metacafe website is mentioned in the FAQ section of the 4K Video Downloader website, it is currently not possible to download audio content from this platform using the 4K Video Downloader program.
Step 2. Download the 4K Video Downloader app
This program allows you to extract the audio tracks of the videos published on the sites indicated and save them for free on both Windows and Mac computers. To download the installation file, follow these instructions:
- Access the following URL using your computer's internet browser;
- Select the link 4K Video Downloader;
- Push the button Download located on the right of the name of the operating system installed on the computer;
- Select the folder in which to save the installation file and confirm that you want to download.
Step 3. Install 4K Video Downloader
Once the installation file has finished downloading, double-click its icon and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen. This way 4K Video Downloader will be installed on your system.
If you are using a Mac, you will need to drag the 4K Video Downloader program icon to the "Applications" folder before you can follow the instructions to complete the installation. You may also need to authorize the installation of software from unknown or non-Apple certified sources
Step 4. Go to the site you want to download the music from
View the page of the site where the video of your interest is published. If you want to download content from SoundCloud, remember that the item in question does not have to be a video.
For example, if you want to download the audio track of a video published on VEVO, you will need to use the YouTube site
Step 5. Go to the video page of your interest
This is the video that contains the audio track you want to download locally.
If you want to download music from SoundCloud, you will first have to search for the song you want and then click its name to access the corresponding page
Step 6. Copy the video URL
In most cases you will have to click inside the browser address bar at the top of the window and press the key combination Ctrl + C (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (on Mac).
If you want to download a Facebook content, select the chosen video with the right mouse button, choose the option Show video URL, then copy the address that appeared. 4K Video Downloader cannot download videos classified as private.
Step 7. Launch the 4K Video Downloader program
Double-click the 4K Video Downloader app icon. It is characterized by a white cloud placed on a green background.
If the program started automatically after installation, skip this step
Step 8. Press the Paste Link button
It is located in the upper left corner of the 4K Video Downloader program window. The application will start searching for the indicated video.
Step 9. Access the "Download Video" drop-down menu
When 4K Video Downloader has found the video you want, the indicated menu will be displayed in the upper left of the program window. A series of options will be displayed.
If you are downloading SoundCloud content, skip the next two steps
Step 10. Choose the Extract Audio option
It is one of the items listed in the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 11. Choose the audio quality level if needed
Select the check button of the quality level you want the audio file to have (for example "High Quality").
Step 12. Select the file format to use for saving
The default format of 4K Video Downloader is MP3 and in most cases it is the best option, however if you need to use another format access the "Format" drop-down menu at the top right of the window to view the list of available options and being able to choose the one you want.
Step 13. Select the folder in which to save the audio file
Push the button Browse located on the right of the current save path visible in the lower part of the program window, then choose the directory to use (for example Desktop) and press the button Save.
If you are using a Mac, press the button ⋯, rather than Browse, located to the right of the current save path.
Step 14. Press the Extract button
It is located at the bottom of the window. In this way the 4K Video Downloader program will proceed to extract the audio track from the indicated video and save it on the computer in the chosen format. When the conversion process is complete, the resulting file will be stored within the specified folder.
If 4K Video Downloader indicates that the file cannot be downloaded, try repeating the procedure or downloading the audio track of another video. If the problem persists, simply wait 24 hours. Normally, program developers are able to resolve disputes relating to the download of copyrighted material within the specified time frame
Method 2 of 3: Using Audacity
Step 1. Install the SoundFlower program if you are using a Mac
This is an application that allows you to record audio played directly from the Mac. Access the following URL using your Mac browser, then proceed as follows:
- Select the link Soundflower-2.0b2.dmg;
- Once the download is complete, double-click the icon of the file you just downloaded, then follow the instructions that appear on the screen to complete the installation. Most likely you will have to manually authorize the installation, as it is a program from an unknown source;
-
Access the menu Apple clicking the icon
Macapple1 then choose the option System Preferences …;
- Click the icon Sound, then access the tab Exit placed in the new window appeared;
- Select the device Soundflower (2ch) from the list visible in the center of the window and move the cursor Output volume right to turn up the volume. At this point, perform the same operation with the device Soundflower (2ch) present in the card Entrance;
- Access the card Sound effects, open the "Play sound effects using" drop-down menu and choose the option Audio output (or Earphones or Internal speakers).
Step 2. Install Audacity if you haven't already
This is a free program available for both Windows and Mac computers. Follow these instructions:
- Access this web page using your computer browser:
- Select the operating system installed on your computer;
- Click the link Audacity 2.2.2 installer (on Windows) or Audacity 2.2.2.dmg file (on Mac);
- Start the installation by double clicking on the icon of the file you just downloaded;
- Follow the instructions that will appear on the screen.
Step 3. Start Audacity
Double-click the application icon. It features a pair of blue headphones that surround a yellow circle.
Step 4. Enable the "Software Playthrough" feature if you are using a Mac
Access the menu Transport located at the top of the screen, choose the item Activity options, then select the option Playthrough software.
If the indicated item has a check mark on the left, skip this step because it means that the "Software Playthrough" feature is already active
Step 5. Choose the type of recording
Access the "Sound System" drop-down menu (it should show MME) located in the upper left part of the section relating to audio recording. A list of options will be displayed.
If you're using a Mac, access the drop-down menu to the right of the microphone icon
Step 6. Choose the Windows WASAPI option
It is one of the items in the menu that appeared.
If you are using a Mac you will need to choose the option Soundflower (2ch).
Step 7. Access the drop-down menu for audio input
It is placed immediately to the right of the one used in the previous step. Another list of options will appear.
On Mac this menu is located next to a speaker icon
Step 8. Choose the Speakers option
It is one of the items listed in the menu. At this point Audacity is properly configured to record the audio being played by the computer.
- If you are using a pair of headphones or earphones, you will need to choose the option Earphones (or similar entry).
- On Mac instead you will have to select the item Integrated output or Audio output.
Step 9. Go to the website where the song you want to record is located
This is the web page where the song you want to save locally on your computer is played.
At this juncture you can use any website where there is an audio track that the computer is able to play
Step 10. Start recording on Audacity
Press the "Register" button. It has a red dot in the center and is located in the upper left part of the program window.
Step 11. Start audio playback
Press the "Play" button on the page where the song to be recorded is published. This will cause Audacity to begin recording audio from the input line.
Step 12. Stop recording when song playback is finished
Press the "Stop" button characterized by a black square and placed in the upper left part of the program window. This will stop recording.
Step 13. Edit the captured audio track (if necessary)
Chances are you will need to make some changes to the file you just recorded, for example removing the initial part where there is no sound. Scroll the time bar of the audio track you just acquired to the left until you get to the starting point, then use the mouse to select the portion of the recording to delete and press the Delete key.
On Mac, instead of pressing the Delete key, you will need to access the menu Edit and choose the option Cut.
Step 14. Access the File menu
It's located in the upper left corner of the Audacity window (or Mac screen). A list of options will be displayed.
Step 15. Choose the Export item
It is one of the options on the menu File. A new submenu will appear next to the first one.
Step 16. Choose the Export as MP3 option
It is one of the items listed in the menu that appeared. The "Save As" window will appear.
Step 17. Name the file
Type the song title or the name you want to give the file in the "File name" or "Name" field.
Step 18. Choose the destination folder
Select the folder where you want the file to be stored (for example if you want to save it directly to your computer desktop, you will need to choose the directory Desktop).
Step 19. Choose the audio quality you want
If you need to increase the audio quality level of the recording, go to the "Quality" drop-down menu and choose the option you want (for example Insane).
Remember that in this way the size of the file on disk will be considerably higher
Step 20. Press the Save button
It is located at the bottom of the window.
Step 21. Add more information
A new window will appear where you can add some details, such as the name of the artist who created the song, the album it belongs to, the genre, etc.
- The information you are going to enter in the window that appears will be used by programs such as iTunes and Groove to recognize the song in question.
- If you don't need to add this information, skip the step.
Step 22. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the window. The captured recording will be saved on disk as an MP3 file in the chosen folder.
The completion of the saving phase can take a variable time from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the quality level chosen and the length of the song
Method 3 of 3: Use the Web Page Source Code
Step 1. Find out when to use this method
If you need to download a song that is used as background music on a website or as an audio track of a video that plays automatically as soon as you open the page where it is published, you may be able to save it in local on your computer using the procedure described in this section.
If the audio file in question is protected (for example in the case of websites such as SoundCloud), you will not be able to use the source code of the web page to save it to disk. In this case, try using 4K Video Downloader or Audacity
Step 2. Go to the website where the song to download resides
Open the web page that contains the audio track you want to save on your computer. Make sure that the webpage has completely loaded and that the song has started playing automatically before continuing.
Step 3. View the source code of the current web page
The procedure to follow varies slightly depending on the internet browser in use:
- Google Chrome - press the button ⋮ located in the upper right corner of the window, choose the option Other tools and choose the voice Developer tools;
- Firefox - press the button ☰ located in the upper right corner of the window, choose the option Web development and click the item Page source;
- Microsoft Edge - press the button ⋯ located in the upper right corner of the window, then select the option Development tools;
- Safari - activate the menu Development if it does not appear in the menu bar, access the indicated menu, then choose the option Show page source.
Step 4. Go to the Elements tab or Items if needed.
You will need to perform this step if you are using the Chrome or Microsoft Edge developer tool respectively.
Skip this step if you are using Safari and Firefox
Step 5. Open the "Find" search bar
Click anywhere on the source code tab of the web page, then press the key combination Ctrl + F (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + F (on Mac).
Step 6. Enter the key to search for
In most cases the audio tracks on the web are in MP3 format, so type the keyword mp3 in the "Find" field that appears and press the Enter key to start the search.
If the search doesn't find anything, try using the keywords M4A, AAC, OGG and WAV
Step 7. Locate the URL of the audio file
Scroll through all the portions of code that appear highlighted until you locate the one relating to the complete web address of the MP3 file you want to download. The URL in question must begin with the prefix https:// or ftp: // and end with the extension.mp3. The full address could be very long.
If you don't get any results using the MP3 keyword, repeat the search using another audio format. You can also try using a video format, for example MP4. If you don't get any results, it means that the audio track is most likely protected and therefore you won't be able to download it
Step 8. Copy the URL of the audio file
Double-click the full address of the file you want to download, then press the key combination Ctrl + C (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (on Mac) to copy it.
Remember that there may be numerous URLs related to the various audio files within the site's source code, so if the first link you copied does not work you will need to review the code again and try a second address
Step 9. Enter the copied URL into the browser address bar
Click it with the left mouse button, press the key combination Ctrl + V or ⌘ Command + V to paste the copied address and press the Enter key to view the page where the song to download is published.
If you get an error message with the code "404", it means that the audio file no longer resides at the URL indicated. In this case, try using a different URL or use Audacity
Step 10. Download the audio file
When you have reached the page where the song to save on your computer is stored, select the media player box that appeared with the right mouse button, then choose the option Save with name from the context menu that will appear to download it in MP3 or MP4 format.
- If you are using Chrome, you may be able to download by pressing the button ⋮ located in the lower right corner of the page and choosing the option Download.
- If the audio file is saved in MP4 format, you will need to convert it to MP3 format to complete the procedure correctly.
