YT Audio Workbench

Reliability-first, cross-platform (Windows/macOS/Linux) Python GUI for yt-dlp + FFmpeg with optional MP3Gain. Convert YouTube videos & playlists into high-quality MP3 with proper ID3 tags, ReplayGain loudness normalization, playlist/CUE options, robust tool checks, and multilingual (i18n: EN/FR) support.

Features

• Reliability-first pipeline: robust tool checks, clear error messages, cancellable jobs, logs.
• Core/GUI split: workbench_core.py (engine) + yt_audio_backup_gui.py (UI).
• yt-dlp + FFmpeg + (optional) MP3Gain: downloads, converts, tags, and normalizes.
• High-quality MP3 output: proper ID3 tags; ReplayGain/MP3Gain loudness normalization.
• Playlists: build playlist files / album joins; optional CUE/chapters.
• Multilingual (i18n): language files in lang/ (EN + FR); in-app language switch.
• Tooltips everywhere: direct, translatable tips for all key widgets; configurable delay/wrap.
• Help & About: localized dialogs, centered windows, diagnostics copy.

Install

Requirements:

• Python 3.10+ (3.11 recommended)
• Tools: yt-dlp, ffmpeg (and optionally mp3gain)

Windows (PowerShell):

python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
pip install -r requirements.txt  # if present; otherwise no external deps required

Install tools (any of):

• WinGet: winget install Gyan.FFmpeg and winget install yt-dlp.yt-dlp
• Chocolatey: choco install ffmpeg yt-dlp
• Scoop: scoop install ffmpeg yt-dlp
• MP3Gain (optional): choco install mp3gain or download official installer

macOS:

brew install ffmpeg yt-dlp mp3gain

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):

sudo apt install ffmpeg
pipx install yt-dlp   # or apt/ytdlp from your distro
sudo apt install mp3gain  # optional

Run

python yt_audio_backup_gui.py

Build (Windows)

PyInstaller spec included:

pip install pyinstaller
pyinstaller -y yt_audio_workbench.spec
# Output -> dist\YT-Audio-Workbench\YT-Audio-Workbench.exe

Internationalization

Language files live in lang/*.json. Add a locale file (e.g., lang/de.json), then restart or switch in the Help → Language submenu. Tooltips and dialogs resolve text from the active language file.

Configuration

The app persists language and tooltip preferences. You can also tweak tooltip delay/wrap in settings (Help → Tooltips).

Help

See HELP.md (also available in-app: Help → Open Help). About dialog provides diagnostics copy and a one-click Troubleshooting section link.

License

MIT (see LICENSE). Note that FFmpeg, yt-dlp, and MP3Gain have their own licenses.

Contributing

PRs welcome! Please run tests:

pip install pytest
pytest -q

Downloads

• Unsigned binaries are produced by CI for Windows, macOS (x64 & arm64), and Linux. See Actions → Build artifacts or tagged releases.
• macOS Gatekeeper: right‑click → Open the first time. Windows SmartScreen: choose More info → Run anyway.