# Audio only · OmniGet Docs

- URL: https://getomniget.com/docs/audio
- Updated: 2026-10-02
- OmniGet 1.0.0

> Free, open-source yt-dlp GUI for Windows, macOS and Linux. Paste a link to save video, audio and files from 1,000+ sites, or run AI coding agents.

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# Audio only

Audio only mode saves the sound of a video and skips the picture. The file format comes from one setting, and a global shortcut can download the link on your clipboard as audio without opening OmniGet.

## Where it is

-   **Home**, after you paste a link: **Quality and more › Audio only (MP3)**.
-   The format: **Settings › Downloads › Output › Music download format** (under **Show advanced options**).
-   The shortcut: **Settings › Downloads › Keyboard shortcuts › Music download hotkey** (under **Show advanced options**).

## How to use it

### From Home

1.  Paste a link in the box on Home.
2.  Open **Quality and more** and click **Audio only (MP3)**. The main button changes to **Download audio**.
3.  Click **Download audio**.

The file is saved in the **Music download format**, not always as the label says: by default it is M4A (AAC). OmniGet remembers the mode, so the next link also starts in audio only until you switch back to **Auto**.

When a site offers an audio-only stream, the **Music** preset under **Advanced › View formats** picks it. See [Quality, mode and formats](https://getomniget.com/docs/quality).

### With the global shortcut

1.  Open **Settings › Downloads**, click **Show advanced options** under **Keyboard shortcuts**, and turn on **Music download hotkey**.
2.  Copy a link in any app.
3.  Press `⇧⌘M` (macOS) / `Ctrl+Shift+M`. OmniGet downloads the link on your clipboard as audio, in the **Music download format**.

To use other keys, change **Music hotkey shortcut**: choose **Record** and press the new keys, or choose **Type** and write them.

The music hotkey is separate from the main download hotkey. Both are explained in [Clipboard and global keys](https://getomniget.com/docs/clipboard-hotkeys).

## Options

| Option | What it does | Default |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Music download format** | The format for **Audio only** downloads and for the music hotkey. Choices: **M4A (AAC)**, **MP3**, **FLAC (lossless)**, **Opus** and **WAV**. | M4A (AAC) |
| **Music download hotkey** | Turns on the global shortcut that downloads the clipboard link as audio. | Off |
| **Music hotkey shortcut** | The keys for that shortcut. | `⇧⌘M` (macOS) / `Ctrl+Shift+M` |
| **Embed metadata** | Writes title and artist into the file. In **Settings › Downloads › Output**. | On |
| **Embed thumbnail as cover** | Adds the video thumbnail as cover art. In **Settings › Downloads › Output**. | On |

Which format to pick:

-   **M4A (AAC)**: small files that play almost everywhere.
-   **MP3**: the oldest and most compatible format.
-   **FLAC (lossless)**: no extra loss on top of the source, much bigger files.
-   **Opus**: small files with good quality; some older players do not read it.
-   **WAV**: uncompressed, the biggest files.

Converting to FLAC or WAV does not add quality the site did not send; it only avoids losing more.

## Shortcuts

| Action | Keys |
| --- | --- |
| Download the clipboard link as audio (when turned on) | `⇧⌘M` (macOS) / `Ctrl+Shift+M` |

## Common problems

### The file is M4A, not MP3

The button says **Audio only (MP3)**, but OmniGet uses the **Music download format**. Set it to **MP3** in **Settings › Downloads › Output** if you need MP3 files.

### The music shortcut does nothing

Check that **Music download hotkey** is on and that the clipboard holds a full link (starting with `http://` or `https://`). Another app may already use the same keys; record a different shortcut.

[Previous**← yt-dlp command**](https://getomniget.com/docs/ytdlp-command) [Next**Subtitles and metadata →**](https://getomniget.com/docs/subtitles-metadata)