calibre is an excellent file management program. It allows you to store almost any file type, including media files, like audio files. If you use it to store audio files, calibre allows you to use Calibre's library management features as you would with an ebook. It also allows you to play them with whatever software is associated with that file type on your computer. Besides, you should be aware of a useful function that can help you obtain the duration of your audio files effortlessly. And below are the steps you should follow to show the duration along with your audio files.
Step 1Download and install calibre on your computer.
You can jump to step 2 if calibre was already installed.
Step 2Download the Audiobook Duration plugin zip file here.
This plugin calculates the duration of the audiobooks or audio files, and adds that duration in a custom column that you have previously created for this purpose. (It will be a duration column but you can call it whatever you want).
Step 3Load the Audiobook Duration plugin to calibre.
Run calibre, click on the Preferences icon on the tool bar >> navigate to the Plugins icon >> Load plugin from file >> Select the Audiobook Duration plugin zip file >> click Open >> Yes >> OK. Now the Audiobook Duration plugin icon will show up on the toolbar after restarting calibre.
Step 4Create a custom column.
In order to show the length of your audio files, you need to add a customer column named Duration or whatever name you like to the calibre book list. You can create a customer column by opening calibre's Preferences dialogue >> Add your own columns >> click the “+” icon.
Then enter the Lookup name and Column heading and hit the OK button to save the changes. Now there's a new column added to the calibre book list.
NoteThe column name is essential when you use the Audiobook Duration plugin to calculate the duration. Therefore, we suggest you enter a column name that is easier to remember.
Step 5Configure Audiobook Duration plugin.
Before using the Audiobook Duration plugin to obtain the duration of your audio file, first of all, you need to configure this plugin by clicking on the AudioBook Duration plugin icon. And in the pop-up window, fill in the name of the custom column #duration or the name you have given it.
Step 6Obtain the duration of your audio files.
Now all is set. Just simply select an audiobook from your calibre library, click on the Audiobook Duration plugin icon and press the button to update the audiobook duration column.
Voila, the length of your audio files will show up under the Duration column. By the way, right now this plugin only works for these supported file extensions: MP3, M4A, MP4, OGG, FLAC, AAC, AC3.
Bonus Tips
If you want to use calibre to manage your audiobooks as well, take the most popular audiobook vendor – Audible.com as an example, you just need to use this Audible Converter to remove DRM protection from your Audible audiobooks. Then you can follow the above steps to obtain the duration of your audiobooks. With the duration data, it will be much better for you to manage your files.
Amy Lopez crafts informative articles on eBooks and eReaders, uncovering optimal methods to enhance your eBook reading experience, and eagerly shares her findings with you.
Hello, I am glad to see that my plugin is useful for you, and you have done a good tutorial.
Could you change the download link to the official link so that you can download the latest version?
Thx
https://plugins.calibre-ebook.com/343035.zip