M4Baker is a superb software for Linux that lets customers take audio tracks of any format and encode them into a pleasant chaptered audiobook file for playback inside audiobook gamers on Linux (and elsewhere) that assist the M4B format.
On this information, we’ll go over how to take audiobook recordsdata, encode them into the M4B audiobook format and create audio books on Linux.
Notice: you don’t have to document your audiobook to use M4B. It’s attainable to take present audio tracks and compile them into an audiobook. You possibly can obtain free, public-domain audio recordsdata on Archive.org.
Set up M4Baker
The M4Baker app has been round for some time. Regardless of its age, many distributions don’t carry it of their software program sources.
For that reason, we’ll be constructing this system from its supply code. Nonetheless, earlier than compiling something, some dependencies want to be put in. These dependencies are vital to the method and assist the M4Baker supply code compile on your machine.
Dependencies
Dependencies for M4Baker are Python 2.6+, PyQT 4.6, Qt 4.5+, FAAC 1.26+, Sox 14.3+, and Mp4v2 1.9. Comply with the directions under and find out how to get these dependencies working on your Linux working system of alternative.
Notice: Arch Linux customers can construct M4Baker from supply robotically thanks to the Arch Linux AUR. Level your favourite AUR helper to the m4baker-git bundle to get it working.
Ubuntu
sudo apt set up git python-qt4 libcanberra-gtk-module faac libmp4v2-2 mp4v2-utils sox libsox-fmt-mp3
Debian
sudo apt-get set up git faaclibcanberra-gtk-module faac libmp4v2-2 mp4v2-utils sox libsox-fmt-mp3
Fedora
sudo dnf set up git PyQT4 python2 faac libmp4v2-devel libmp4v2 libcanberra sox qt-devel sudo dnf set up -y
OpenSUSE
sudo zypper set up git python2-qt4 python libcanberra-gtk-module-common faac libmp4v2-devel libqt4-devel
Notice: OpenSUSE doesn’t have the MP3 plugin for Sox of their repositories. Because of this, you will have to compile and set up Sox by hand to use it. Head over to the Sox GitHub web page and obtain the source-code right here. Directions to construct the software program on Linux are situated in README.sh.
Obtain supply code
With the M4Baker libraries taken care of, it’s time to obtain the supply code. In a terminal, use the git clone command.
git clone
Transfer your terminal window into the brand new m4baker code folder with the CD command.
cd m4baker
Compilation
The compilation and setup course of for M4Baker is refreshingly easy, in contrast to plenty of different applications Linux customers construct from supply. To get it operating, you’ll solely want to run the Python2 set up script file. Please notice that this set up script wants to run with sudo privileges, or in a root shell. With out correct system entry, M4Baker can’t benefit from the proper directories and binaries on your Linux PC.
To begin the compilation course of for the M4Baker instrument, run the next command within the terminal shell:
python setup.py set up --optimize=1
M4Baker’s set up script is comparatively fast. When the script finishes, you may immediately begin this system with the m4baker command within the terminal window. It additionally is feasible to begin up this system by looking out your software menu for “M4Baker”.
Getting ready your audiobook in M4Baker
Step one to creating a brand new audiobook in M4Baker is importing the audio recordsdata. Add audio recordsdata to your new undertaking by clicking the “Edit” menu, then “add Audiobook.”
Press the Ctrl key down on your keyboard and use the mouse to choose each audio file you’d like to add. When every thing is chosen, click on the “Open” button to import the tracks to M4Baker.
Notice: make certain to preserve all audio tracks associated to the Audiobook undertaking in the identical folder for straightforward entry.
M4Baker types audio recordsdata in a gaggle, beginning with the folder. Double-click on the folder with the mouse and rename it to the of title your new Audiobook. Whenever you’re happy with the e book’s title, take a look at the audio recordsdata under it within the checklist. Kind by way of the checklist, choose every file individually with the mouse, and fill out its info within the data field on the proper.
Exporting your audiobook with M4Baker
Your e book’s observe has the proper info, and every thing is prepared to go. All that’s left is to export it as an M4Baker audiobook file. To begin the export course of, click on on the e book folder and search for the “output” file part.
Click on on the icon underneath “output” file to carry up the file browser. Browse to the listing the place you’d like to save the M4Baker audiobook file and click on “save.”
Now that the output file is about within the M4Baker app, exporting is prepared to start. Click on on the “File” menu and search for the “Process all” button and click on on it to begin the encoding course of.
Let M4Baker encode your new audiobook. When the exporting course of is full, you’ll give you the option to discover it the place you saved the output file.
