FFmpeg 7.1
Since* 1.0
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Split each channel from an input audio stream into a separate output stream.

It accepts the following parameters:

channel_layout

The channel layout of the input stream. The default is "stereo".

channels

A channel layout describing the channels to be extracted as separate output streams or "all" to extract each input channel as a separate stream. The default is "all".

Choosing channels not present in channel layout in the input will result in an error.

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Examples

  • For example, assuming a stereo input MP3 file,

    ffmpeg -i in.mp3 -filter_complex channelsplit out.mkv

    will create an output Matroska file with two audio streams, one containing only the left channel and the other the right channel.

  • Split a 5.1 WAV file into per-channel files:

    ffmpeg -i in.wav -filter_complex
    'channelsplit=channel_layout=5.1[FL][FR][FC][LFE][SL][SR]'
    -map '[FL]' front_left.wav -map '[FR]' front_right.wav -map '[FC]'
    front_center.wav -map '[LFE]' lfe.wav -map '[SL]' side_left.wav -map '[SR]'
    side_right.wav
  • Extract only LFE from a 5.1 WAV file:

    ffmpeg -i in.wav -filter_complex 'channelsplit=channel_layout=5.1:channels=LFE[LFE]'
    -map '[LFE]' lfe.wav