asked on 8/19/2021

Insert silence into audio file using SOX

I have the need to insert a specific duration of silence into an audio file at a specific point thus expanding the file length based upon the size of silence inserted. Is that possible using SOX?

* sox Digital Audio

Last Comment

Greg Watkins

8/23/2021

David Favor

8/19/2021

You can use sox for this + I normally use ffmpeg, as I can select any output codec - mp3, wav, whatever.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5276253/create-a-silent-mp3-from-the-command-line provides both a sox example + ffmpeg example, which are very clear.

I also prefer ffmpeg, as you can use a one liner to produce your null/silent audio clips.

With sox, you'll have to write a script.

Greg Watkins

8/19/2021

ASKER

I understand how to create the silence file. The real question is how can I insert that file into the existing file. As far as I can see I can't use mix as that would just overwrite some of the audio in the existing file and pad just adds it to the beginning or end. I need to insert it into the file at a specific point in effect expanding the file length.

David Johnson, CD

8/19/2021

Personally I'd use an audio editor i.e. audacity
otherwise the sequence of operations would be
1. copy the source file to the output file
2 seek the output file to silence start
3. set volume to 0 for remainder of file
4. cut output file length at original to silence start + silence curation length
5 seek original file to silence start and copy to output file appending

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Greg Watkins

8/23/2021

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