In audio processing, compression is a technique used to control the dynamic range of audio signals. It helps to reduce the difference between the quietest and loudest parts of a sound, resulting in a more balanced and consistent audio output. Pydub is a powerful audio processing library in Python that provides various tools and functionalities, including audio compression.

In this blog post, we will explore how to use Pydub to apply audio compression to audio files in Python.

Installing Pydub

Before we begin, let’s make sure we have Pydub installed in our Python environment. We can use pip to install it by running the following command:

pip install pydub

Once installed, we can import Pydub in our Python script to start using its functionalities.

Audio Compression with Pydub

To apply audio compression using Pydub, we need to follow these steps:

1. Load the audio file: We start by loading the audio file that we want to compress. Pydub supports a wide range of audio file formats, such as WAV, MP3, FLAC, etc.

2. Apply compression: Pydub provides a compressor class that allows us to apply compression to the audio file. We can set the desired compression parameters, such as threshold, ratio, attack time, and release time.

3. Export the compressed audio: Once we have applied compression to the audio file, we can export it back as a new audio file. Pydub supports exporting to various audio file formats.

Here’s an example code snippet that demonstrates how to apply audio compression using Pydub:

from pydub import AudioSegment

# Load the audio file
audio_file = AudioSegment.from_file("input_audio.wav", format="wav")

# Applying compression
compressed_audio = audio_file.compressor(
    threshold=-20, ratio=4.0, attack=10, release=200
)

# Export the compressed audio
compressed_audio.export("output_audio.wav", format="wav")

In the above example, we load an audio file named “input_audio.wav” in WAV format. We then apply compression with a threshold of -20 dB, a compression ratio of 4.0, an attack time of 10 ms, and a release time of 200 ms. Finally, we export the compressed audio as a new file named “output_audio.wav”.

Keep in mind that the compression parameters might vary depending on your specific requirements and the characteristics of the audio file.

Conclusion

Audio compression plays a vital role in audio processing to enhance the listening experience and ensure a consistent output. Pydub provides an easy-to-use interface for applying audio compression to audio files in Python. By leveraging its functionalities, you can control the dynamic range of your audio files and achieve a more balanced sound.

Remember to experiment with different compression parameters to find the best settings for your audio files. Enjoy exploring the possibilities of Pydub and audio compression in Python!