How to Download MP3 from YouTube with VLC: Detailed and Updated Guide

Downloading music from YouTube in MP3 format using VLC Media Player has become a favorite option for many users looking for a fast, free, and secure solution. Although there are many sites and programs for downloading audio files from online videos, many prefer a method that doesn't compromise privacy or require additional software, and VLC is positioned as the most reliable and versatile tool for this purpose.

In addition to playing almost any audio and video format, VLC hides advanced features that surprise even regular users. With just a few steps, you can extract audio from any YouTube video and save it as an MP3 file, without ads or suspicious installations. If you want to know how to do it in detail, discover Tricks To learn how to use the popular player and get the most out of it, keep reading. Here's the most complete guide to converting YouTube videos to MP3 using all the features of VLC on your computer.

Why use VLC to download MP3 from YouTube?

VLC Media Player is a free, open source, cross-platform program, available in Windows, Mac, Linux and even AndroidIts popularity is no coincidence: allows you to play and convert files of almost any format without installing additional codecs, and stands out for its strong privacy and security guarantees, avoiding risks associated with websites or browser extensions that often track your activity or infect with malware.

Not only is it capable of opening the most common files, but it can also decode videos by taking advantage of the power of the GPU through hardware compatible, play content from local networks and even access live broadcasts via streamingBut one of its great secrets is the possibility of download videos directly from YouTube, and then convert them to standard audio formats such as MP3.

Choosing VLC for this task has clear advantages:

• You avoid third-party websites which may be unreliable or full of advertising.
• You maintain your privacy, by not sending data to external pages.
• You do not install suspicious programs that could endanger your equipment.
• Full control about the process and configuration of the final file.

Step by Step: Download YouTube Video with VLC Media Player

Before extracting the audio in MP3 format, it is essential get the YouTube video on your computerVLC allows you to do this directly, without resorting to other websites or external applications. The process may seem somewhat technical at first, but following the steps carefully is very simple.

Here are the basic steps you need to follow to download a YouTube video with VLC:

1. Copy the URL of the YouTube video: Go to the YouTube website, search for the video, select the entire address in the browser bar and copy it (Control + C or right click and Copy).
2. Open VLC and locate the appropriate option: Go to the top menu and select Medium, and then choose Open network location… (you can use the shortcut Control + N in Windows).
3. Paste the video URL: A window will open, where you must paste the address you copied earlier in the corresponding field.
4. Click Play: VLC will start playing the video as if it were stored locally on your computer.

With the video already loaded in VLC, we follow the process to get the real download link:

5. Open Tools and select Media Information (or Control + J): A window will open where, in the General tab, you will see a section called Place with a very long URL.
6. Copy that link: This is the temporary address from which VLC is extracting the video.
7. Paste the link into your browser: Open Chrome, Firefox, or whatever browser you use, and paste the link into the top bar.
8. Download the video: Once the video loads in the browser, right click on it and select the option Save video as ... to choose the location and download it in MP4 format.

This way, you'll have a copy of the video on your computer, which you can later convert to MP3 or any other format with VLC. It's important to check the download folder and make sure you save the file with the correct name and in the desired location.

Convert YouTube video to MP3 with VLC easily

With the video file now downloaded to your computer, the next step is convert it to MP3 format. Again, VLC makes it easy for us with a series of very simple steps:

1. Open VLC and go to Media > Convert… (or use the shortcut Control + R).
2. Make sure you are on the File tab within the window that appears.
3. Add the video file: Click on Add, select the previously downloaded video and click on Convert / Save.
4. Set up the conversion profile: In the next window, look for the section Profile and select Audio - MP3. This will only extract the sound from the video.
5. Customize advanced options if you wishIf you tap the wrench icon, you can adjust the audio codec, bit rate, audio channels, and sample rate. This is useful if you're particular about the quality of the resulting MP3.
6. Choose the destination and file name: At the bottom, in Target file, Select Explore to choose where you want to save the new MP3 and choose a name for the file.
7. Click StartThe conversion process will begin. Depending on the size of the video and the power of your computer, this may take from a few seconds to several minutes.

When VLC finishes the process, you'll have your MP3 file in the chosen folder, ready to play on any device. If everything went well, the audio will have the original video quality, and you can check the file details by right-clicking > Properties > Details, where you'll see the format, duration, size, and bitrate.

Related article:

How to Download Youtube Videos Without Programs in Google Chrome

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.

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