PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to save an audio CD's contents as one music file on your computer by using VLC Media Player's audio extraction feature. The extracted audio file will only be playable with VLC media player.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Installing VLC

PDF download Download Article
  1. Do so by typing http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html into your browser's URL bar, or by clicking the provided link.
  2. It's an orange button in the upper-right side of the VLC download page. Doing so should prompt VLC to begin downloading to your computer, though you may first need to select a save location depending on your browser.
    • VLC's download site should automatically determine your operating system (e.g., Mac or Windows). If it doesn't, click ▼ right of the Download VLC button and select your operating system.
    Advertisement
  3. It's an orange-and-white, traffic cone-shaped icon in your computer's default "Downloads" folder (e.g., the desktop). On a Mac, you'll instead open the VLC download folder.
    • You can locate the VLC setup file by typing "vlc" into Start or Spotlight on Windows or Mac, respectively.
  4. To do so:
    • Windows - Click Next in the bottom-right corner of the window until VLC begins installing, then click Finish when the setup completes.
    • Mac - Drag the VLC Media Player icon into your Applications folder.
  5. Typically, this process will entail pressing a button on or below the CD tray, placing the disc label side up in the tray, and then pushing the track back into the computer.
    • Some Notebook computers and Macs manufactured in the last few years don't have built-in CD drives, but you can purchase an external CD drive for less than $100.
  6. You'll do so by double-clicking the VLC traffic cone icon. Once VLC opens, you're ready to proceed with extracting your audio CD's contents.
  7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Extracting Audio

PDF download Download Article
  1. This tab is in the top-left corner of the VLC window. Doing so invokes a drop-down menu.
  2. It's toward the bottom of the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will appear after you click this option.
  3. You'll find it at the top of the pop-up window.
  4. It's near the top of the window. This will ensure that the audio extraction process is tailored to a strictly audio CD format.
  5. This button is at the bottom of the pop-up window.
  6. It's to the right of the "Profile" heading that's near the top of the pop-up window. Doing so invokes a drop-down menu.
  7. This option will allow you to save the extracted audio from your CD as an MP3 file, which is a commonly used audio file.
    • While you can't play the extracted audio file with iTunes or Groove, saving it as an MP3 will allow you to burn it to a CD if you so choose.
    • You can also click Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4) to save the audio file in a VLC format, which will let you open the file in VLC by default as long as VLC is your default video player.
  8. It's near the bottom of the pop-up window. You'll be able to select a save location for your audio file from here.
  9. You can do so by clicking a folder in the left-hand pane.
  10. This will confirm your audio file's save location.
  11. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so will begin the extraction process, which should only take a few seconds. When the disc begins playing in VLC, the extraction is complete.
    • Once you see your audio file appear in the save location you specified earlier, it's ready to be played.
  12. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • Since you can only play extracted CD audio in VLC, saving the file as an MP4 has the same effect as saving it as an MP3.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Ripping the audio from a CD and placing it on a blank one for the purposes of duplication constitutes piracy, which is illegal in most places.


Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How To Use Your Android or iPhone as a Mic for Your Computer
Find Saved Audio Messages on an iPhone
Record High-Quality Audio on Your Mobile Phone
4 Easy Ways to Record Voice or Audio on a Windows Computer
Record Audio with VLC Media Player
Make a Pop Filter
Record from Mixer to Phone
Simple Ways to Record Audio on Windows
Record Conversations
Make an MP3 File on Windows, macOS, & Linux
Simple Steps to Compose Music Using GarageBand
Make a Recording Studio
Use Auto Tune
Record a Phone Conversation
Advertisement

About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 81,657 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 4
Updated: October 8, 2018
Views: 81,657
Categories: Audio Recording
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 81,657 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement