The error typically occurs because Avidemux requires external audio files to be in a raw stream format rather than a container format . While the software can handle containers like MP4 or MKV for video, it lacks the internal demuxers to unpack external audio tracks stored inside those same containers. Why the Error Occurs
Sometimes the file itself is fine, but the header is messy. Use FFmpeg to "remux" the file without changing quality.
Avidemux cannot demux external containers (like .m4a ) to use them as simple audio tracks. It treats .m4a as a video container without video, which it doesn't support as an external input.
When encountering the error "Avidemux cannot use that file as audio track," it typically indicates that Avidemux is having trouble processing or is incompatible with the specific audio file you've tried to add to your project. This issue can arise due to several reasons, ranging from incompatible file formats to corrupted files. Let's break down the potential causes and solutions: avidemux cannot use that file as audio track
For ultimate flexibility, FFmpeg is unbeatable. To replace a video's audio with a file called new_audio.mp3 :
| Problem / Error Scenario | Root Cause | Step-by-Step Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | The file is an MP4 container. Avidemux cannot unpack it. | 1. Extract the Raw Audio Stream : ffmpeg -i in.m4a -c copy out.aac 2. Add the New .aac File : In Avidemux, go to Audio > Select Tracks and add your new raw file. | | Adding a .flac or .ogg File | The audio codec is not supported by Avidemux's audio muxer. The Vorbis codec in .ogg files is only supported when re-encoding an existing audio track. | 1. Convert to a Supported Format : Use FFmpeg: ffmpeg -i input.flac -c:a pcm_s16le output.wav 2. Add the New .wav File : This lossless conversion yields a raw format Avidemux can use. | | Adding a .wav File and Crashing | The .wav file uses an unsupported bit depth, such as 32-bit integer or 32-bit float. | 1. Convert to a Compatible WAV : Use Audacity or FFmpeg to re-encode the WAV as 16-bit or 24-bit signed integer PCM . 2. Add the New .wav File : Avidemux is much more reliable with these standard depths. | | Adding an .mp3 File with Metadata | Metadata from programs like Traktor or "ID3v2" tags can confuse Avidemux's MP3 frame header detection. | 1. Remove Metadata : Use a tool like Mp3tag to remove all tags and cover art from the MP3. 2. Try a Nightly Build : If this fails, download the latest Avidemux Nightly build, which has improved detection to ignore large tags. | | General Audio Format Incompatibility | Your file (e.g., DTS) may not be on the list of formats Avidemux can handle as an external track. | 1. Convert to WAV : Encode the file to a 16-bit or 24-bit PCM WAV file. 2. Check Bitrate : For MP3, try using a standard bitrate like 128kbps or 192kbps. |
Ensure the audio is standard (e.g., 44.1kHz or 48kHz). Non-standard bit rates or float formats sometimes cause the importer to crash or reject the file. Use FFmpeg to "remux" the file without changing quality
Common causes
What (MP4, MKV, AVI) are you trying to add the audio to? Share public link
Below is a guide explaining why this error occurs and how to fix it quickly. Why the Error Happens When encountering the error "Avidemux cannot use that
If your audio file was exported from software like Traktor, extra metadata at the beginning of the file can confuse Avidemux, causing it to misinterpret the audio headers and reject the file. Unsupported Codecs:
"cannot use that file as audio track" in Avidemux typically occurs because you are trying to import an audio file that is wrapped in a (like .m4a or .mp4) rather than a raw stream
An .m4a file is not a raw audio format; it is an that holds audio instead of video.