How to use the command 'soxi' (with examples)
Soxi, an abbreviation for “Sound eXchange Information,” is a command-line utility designed to display metadata about sound files. It’s part of the SoX (Sound eXchange) suite, often used for handling various audio files. This utility provides a quick and straightforward way to get detailed audio file information without needing to open complex audio editing software, making it particularly useful for those working extensively with audio files.
Use case 1: Display the sound file metadata
Code:
soxi path/to/file.wav
Motivation:
When working with audio files, especially in fields like music production, sound design, or podcasting, knowing the details of an audio file is crucial. Metadata informs you about numerous aspects, such as the sample rate, duration, number of channels, encoding, and more. This information is vital when assessing compatibility with other systems or software, determining file quality, or even during troubleshooting when audio files don’t perform as expected.
For instance, suppose you receive a batch of WAV files from a collaborator and need to confirm that they meet project specifications. Running soxi on each file provides a quick overview of the file properties, allowing you to verify or refute compatibility claims efficiently. Moreover, streaming or broadcasting systems may have specific audio requirements, such as a precise bit rate or number of channels; soxi offers a way to ensure compliance without manual inspection in graphical audio editors.
Explanation:
soxi: This is the command used to invoke the Sound eXchange Information utility. The primary functionality is to display the metadata of the specified audio file.path/to/file.wav: This specifies the path to the audio file whose metadata you wish to examine. The path can be absolute or relative, and the file format (in this case, WAV) should be compatible with SoX. WAV files are commonly used for high-quality audio and often serve as an intermediate step in audio processing workflows.
Example output:
When you run soxi path/to/file.wav, the output is a structured metadata summary. This output typically includes:
Input File : 'path/to/file.wav'
Channels : 2
Sample Rate : 44100
Precision : 16-bit
Duration : 00:03:25.00 = 9057000 samples = 15400 CDDA sectors
File Size : 35.8M
Bit Rate : 1411k
Sample Encoding: 16-bit Signed Integer PCM
Each line provides critical information. The Channels line indicates whether the file is mono or stereo, Sample Rate shows the number of samples per second, Precision refers to audio resolution, and Duration tells you the audio file’s length in multiple forms (time, samples, and CDDA sectors). The File Size and Bit Rate lines help gauge the storage and streaming quality; Sample Encoding describes the method of encoding, shedding light on potential quality losses.
Conclusion:
The soxi command is a powerful tool for anyone needing to inspect audio file metadata quickly. It’s especially invaluable in scenarios where audio quality and specifications must be verified, such as in professional music production and broadcast settings. By utilizing the soxi command, users can save time and avoid errors that could arise from incompatible audio file specifications. This simple yet effective tool ensures you can maintain high-quality standards and seamlessly integrate various audio files into your workflows.
