Audio in Python
This page tries to provide a starting point for those who want to work with audio in combination with Python.
If you are creating a game, most of what you are looking for may already be included in the many PythonGameLibraries that are available.
If you are looking for podcasts related to Python, go to the PythonAudioMaterial page.
Built in modules
The Multimedia Services allow for some basic audio functionality in Python. It consists of the following modules:
Manipulate raw audio data. |
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Read and write audio files in AIFF or AIFC format. |
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Provide an interface to the Sun AU sound format. |
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Provide an interface to the WAV sound format. |
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Module to read IFF (e.g. AIFF) chunks. |
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Conversions between colour systems. |
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Determine the type of a image file. |
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Determine the type of a sound file. |
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Access to OSS-compatible audio devices (mainly important for Linux / FreeBSD) |
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Access to the basic sound-playing machinery provided by Windows platforms. |
Beyond the default modules
Alternatively, you might want to learn about audio programming in Python. There is a veritable forest of stuff out there, but here are some good starting points.
For a complete overview have a look at PythonInMusic.
Platform independent
C++ library with Python module for audio synthesis. |
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A high-level audio interface for Python. (deadlink) |
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A high-level audio interface for Python. Uses ffmpeg for formats other than WAVE |
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Python bindings for PortAudio audio input and output |
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Playback, recording, file and socket I/O, waveforms and spectrograms. "Last release 2004-12-01. Dead?" |
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Programs for CD-ripping and conversion between audio file formats. |
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Part of a music player. It uses FFmpeg for decoding and PortAudio for output. It supports gapless playback and high sample rates (96kHz or 192kHz). It also has the functionality to calculate the ReplayGain value and do loudness normalization, to calculate the AcoustId fingerprint, to get the metadata (via FFmpeg) and to calculate a visual representation for a sound file. |
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This module provides bindings for the PortAudio library (using CFFI) and a few convenience functions to play and record NumPy arrays containing audio signals. |
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Simple, dependency-free audio playback for Python 3 |
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Tiny and simple audio and video playback for Windows and Linux. Uses libwinmedia library. |
Platform dependent
https://gstreamer.freedesktop.org/modules/gst-python.html
https://pyalsaaudio.sourceforge.net/
https://pypi.python.domainunion.de/pypi/audiosocket/ - pure Python solution to play audio on Windows
Modules relying on closed source
pysonic - A wrapper around the FMOD-library offering plenty of options including 3D sound and effects. FMOD is a popular closed, but free for own use, that is used in many commercial game titles.