audio-editing-automation

name	audio-editing-automation
description	FFmpeg audio processing, batch editing, normalization, mixing, and automated audio production workflows. Use when processing audio at scale, automating editing tasks, or building audio pipelines.

Audio Editing Automation

FFmpeg Audio Operations

Extract Audio from Video

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -acodec copy audio.aac
# -vn: no video
# -acodec copy: no re-encoding

Audio Format Conversion

# WAV to MP3
ffmpeg -i input.wav -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.mp3

# MP3 to AAC
ffmpeg -i input.mp3 -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.m4a

Volume Normalization

# Increase volume by 10dB
ffmpeg -i input.mp3 -af "volume=10dB" output.mp3

# Normalize using loudnorm filter
ffmpeg -i input.wav -af "loudnorm=I=-16:TP=-1.5:LRA=11" output.wav

Audio Mixing

# Mix two audio files
ffmpeg -i voice.mp3 -i music.mp3 -filter_complex amix=inputs=2:duration=longest output.mp3

# Voice + background music (ducking)
ffmpeg -i voice.mp3 -i music.mp3 -filter_complex \
  "[1:a]volume=0.3[bg];[0:a][bg]amix=inputs=2:duration=first"  output.mp3

Batch Processing

import subprocess
from pathlib import Path

def normalize_audio_batch(input_dir, output_dir):
    for audio in Path(input_dir).glob("*.mp3"):
        output = Path(output_dir) / audio.name

        subprocess.run([
            'ffmpeg', '-i', str(audio),
            '-af', 'loudnorm=I=-16:TP=-1.5',
            str(output)
        ])

Audio Quality Standards

Podcast Export

Format: MP3
Bitrate: 128-192kbps
Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
Loudness: -16 LUFS
Peak: -1dB

Audiobook (ACX)

Format: MP3, 192kbps CBR
Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
Peak: -3dB
RMS: -18dB to -23dB
Noise Floor: -60dB

YouTube/Video

Format: AAC
Bitrate: 192kbps
Sample Rate: 48kHz
Loudness: -14 LUFS

Automation Workflow

def audio_production_pipeline(voice_file, music_file):
    # 1. Normalize voice
    normalize_audio(voice_file, 'voice_normalized.mp3')

    # 2. Mix with music
    mix_audio('voice_normalized.mp3', music_file, 'mixed.mp3')

    # 3. Final loudness normalization
    final_normalize('mixed.mp3', 'final.mp3', target_lufs=-16)

    # 4. Export for platforms
    export_for_podcast('final.mp3')
    export_for_youtube('final.mp3')

Resources

• FFmpeg Audio Documentation
• Loudness Standards (LUFS)
• Audio Mastering Best Practices