HLS Audio Upload Guide — Mac Terminal Workflow

1 FFmpeg Installation

Step 1: Install Homebrew

Terminal

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

📦

What happened: Downloaded Homebrew package manager
Installed to /usr/local/Homebrew
Created directories: /usr/local/share/zsh, /usr/local/var/homebrew
Downloaded dependencies: cmake, json-c, libunistring, gettext, pkgconf, pcre2

Step 2: Add Homebrew to PATH

Terminal

echo 'eval "$(/usr/local/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/usr/local/bin/brew shellenv)"

Step 3: Verify Homebrew

Terminal

brew --version

Homebrew 6.0.17

Step 4: Attempt FFmpeg Install via Homebrew (FAILED)

Terminal

brew install ffmpeg

❌

Error encountered: Error: Failed to download resource "opus (1.6.1)"
Download failed: https://github.com/xiph/opus/releases/download/v1.6.1/opus-1.6.1.tar.gz
curl: (22) The requested URL returned error: 404

Reason: The Opus dependency URL was broken on the server.

Step 5: Download Static FFmpeg Build (SUCCESS)

✅

Visited: https://evermeet.cx/ffmpeg/
Downloaded: ffmpeg-126126-gdab32dcc212.zip

Step 6: Install Static FFmpeg

Terminal

cd ~/Downloads
unzip ffmpeg-126126-gdab32dcc212.zip
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin
sudo mv ffmpeg /usr/local/bin/
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg
sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg

Command Breakdown:

Command	Purpose
`cd ~/Downloads`	Navigate to Downloads folder
`unzip ffmpeg-*.zip`	Extract FFmpeg binary
`sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin`	Create bin directory
`sudo mv ffmpeg /usr/local/bin/`	Move FFmpeg to bin
`sudo chmod +x`	Make executable
`sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine`	Remove macOS Catalina quarantine

Step 7: Verify FFmpeg

Terminal

ffmpeg -version

ffmpeg version N-126126-gdab32dcc212-tessus built with Apple clang version 17.0.0 configuration: --cc=/usr/bin/clang --prefix=/opt/ffmpeg --enable-avisynth --enable-gpl --enable-libaom --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopus --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-version3

2 Verifying Installation

Check AAC Encoder

Terminal

ffmpeg -encoders 2>&1 | grep aac

Check HLS Format

Terminal

ffmpeg -formats 2>&1 | grep hls

Test Conversion

Terminal

ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "sine=frequency=440:duration=2" -c:a aac -f hls -hls_time 10 -hls_playlist_type vod -hls_segment_filename "test_%03d.ts" "test.m3u8"

Check Test Output

Terminal

ls -la test*

test.m3u8 test_000.ts

Clean Up Test Files

Terminal

rm test.m3u8 test_*.ts

🎚️ Mastering Your Track

Before converting to HLS, your audio should be properly mastered for streaming. Here's the complete mastering workflow used for "Only Now".

Mastering Chain Overview

Order	Process	Purpose
1	EQ (Equalization)	Balance frequencies
2	Compression	Control dynamics
3	Stereo Enhancement	Widen the sound
4	Limiting	Set final loudness
5	Loudness Normalization	Match streaming standards

Streaming Loudness Standards

Platform	Target LUFS	True Peak
Spotify	-14 LUFS	-1 dBTP
Apple Music	-16 LUFS	-1 dBTP
YouTube	-14 LUFS	-1 dBTP
This Platform	-14 LUFS	-1 dBTP

Mastering with FFmpeg

Step 1: Check Current Loudness

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Written_by_Daniel_Mason_Track_02_master.wav" -af loudnorm=print_format=json -f null - 2>&1 | grep -E "input_i|input_tp|input_lra|input_thresh"

"input_i" : "-18.23", "input_tp" : "-3.45", "input_lra" : "11.20", "input_thresh" : "-28.35",

Step 2: Apply Loudness Normalization

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Written_by_Daniel_Mason_Track_02_master.wav" \
  -af loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1:LRA=11 \
  -c:a pcm_s16le \
  "Only_now_Mastered_14LUFS.wav"

Step 3: Apply EQ (Bass Boost + Presence)

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Mastered_14LUFS.wav" \
  -af "equalizer=f=60:width_type=o:width=2:g=2,equalizer=f=120:width_type=o:width=1:g=1,equalizer=f=3000:width_type=o:width=1:g=1.5,equalizer=f=10000:width_type=o:width=2:g=1" \
  -c:a pcm_s16le \
  "Only_now_Mastered_EQ.wav"

Step 4: Apply Compression

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Mastered_EQ.wav" \
  -af "acompressor=threshold=-18dB:ratio=3:1:attack=20:release=250:makeup=3" \
  -c:a pcm_s16le \
  "Only_now_Mastered_Comp.wav"

Step 5: Apply Final Limiter

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Mastered_Comp.wav" \
  -af "alimiter=limit=-1dB:attack=5:release=50" \
  -c:a pcm_s16le \
  "Only_now_FINAL_MASTER.wav"

Complete Mastering Chain (One Command)

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "input.wav" \
  -af "loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1:LRA=11,equalizer=f=60:width_type=o:width=2:g=2,equalizer=f=3000:width_type=o:width=1:g=1.5,acompressor=threshold=-18dB:ratio=3:1:attack=20:release=250:makeup=3,alimiter=limit=-1dB:attack=5:release=50" \
  -c:a pcm_s16le \
  "output_FINAL_MASTER.wav"

Mastering Chain Parameters

Process	Parameter	Value	Purpose
Loudness Norm	`I=-14`	-14 LUFS	Match Spotify/YouTube standard
True Peak	`TP=-1`	-1 dBTP	Prevent clipping
LRA	`LRA=11`	11 LU	Dynamic range target
EQ: Bass	`f=60, g=2`	+2 dB @ 60Hz	Add low-end warmth
EQ: Presence	`f=3000, g=1.5`	+1.5 dB @ 3kHz	Add vocal clarity
Compressor	`threshold=-18dB`	-18 dB	Start compression
Ratio	`ratio=3:1`	3:1	Moderate compression
Attack	`attack=20`	20ms	Fast attack
Release	`release=250`	250ms	Smooth release
Limiter	`limit=-1dB`	-1 dB	Absolute ceiling

Mastering Checklist

✅

Before converting to HLS:
☐ Loudness normalized to -14 LUFS
☐ True peak at -1 dBTP
☐ EQ balanced (no harsh frequencies)
☐ Compression applied (3:1 ratio)
☐ Limiter set at -1dB ceiling
☐ No clipping or distortion
☐ Exported as 16-bit WAV (pcm_s16le)

Verify Final Master

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_FINAL_MASTER.wav" -af loudnorm=print_format=json -f null - 2>&1 | grep -E "input_i|input_tp|input_lra"

"input_i" : "-14.02", "input_tp" : "-1.01", "input_lra" : "10.95",

⚠️

Important: If your track was already mastered professionally, skip the mastering chain and just apply loudness normalization to match streaming standards.

3 Converting Audio to HLS

Navigate to Audio Folder

Terminal

cd ~/Desktop/amusicconvert

Get Duration First

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Written_by_Daniel_Mason_Track_02_master.wav" 2>&1 | grep Duration

Duration: 00:03:26.00, bitrate: 2304 kb/s

Duration in seconds: 3 × 60 + 26 = 206 seconds

Convert WAV to HLS

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Written_by_Daniel_Mason_Track_02_master.wav" -c:a aac -b:a 128k -f hls -hls_time 10 -hls_playlist_type vod -hls_segment_filename "Only_now_%03d.ts" "Only_now.m3u8"

Command Breakdown:

Flag	Purpose
`-i "file.wav"`	Input file
`-c:a aac`	Audio codec: AAC
`-b:a 128k`	Bitrate: 128 kbps
`-f hls`	Format: HLS
`-hls_time 10`	10 seconds per segment
`-hls_playlist_type vod`	Video on Demand
`-hls_segment_filename "name_%03d.ts"`	Segment naming pattern
`"name.m3u8"`	Output playlist file

Check Output Files

Terminal

ls -la Only_now*

Only_now.m3u8 ← Playlist file Only_now_000.ts ← Segment 1 (0-10s) Only_now_001.ts ← Segment 2 (10-20s) Only_now_002.ts ← Segment 3 (20-30s) ... Only_now_020.ts ← Segment 21 (200-206s)

4 Getting Duration

Method 1: From FFmpeg

Terminal

ffmpeg -i "filename.wav" 2>&1 | grep Duration

Method 2: Manual Calculation

Duration: 00:03:26.00 = 3 minutes + 26 seconds = (3 × 60) + 26 = 180 + 26 = 206 seconds

5 Uploading to Platform

Step 1: Login

Go to: https://www.jaysoftware.co.uk/af/music/tenant_login.php

Step 2: Go to Upload Page

Go to: https://www.jaysoftware.co.uk/af/music/admin/upload_advanced.php

Step 3: Fill in Track Details

Field	Value
Upload Type	Pre-converted HLS
Track Title	Only Now
Genre	Select genre
Price	£4.99
Duration	206

Step 4: Upload Files

File	Description
`Only_now.m3u8`	HLS Playlist
`Only_now_000.ts` through `Only_now_020.ts`	Audio segments (select all)

Step 5: Submit

Click "Upload Track"

6 Troubleshooting

❌ command not found: ffmpeg

Fix:

sudo mv ~/Downloads/ffmpeg /usr/local/bin/
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg

❌ Illegal instruction: 4

Fix: Remove quarantine

sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg

❌ Homebrew fails on macOS 10.15

Fix:

Use static download from evermeet.cx/ffmpeg

❌ Opus download 404

Fix:

The static build includes Opus already — no need to install separately.

📜 Complete Terminal History

Full History

# Homebrew Install
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
echo 'eval "$(/usr/local/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/usr/local/bin/brew shellenv)"
brew --version
brew install ffmpeg  # FAILED - opus 404 error

# Static FFmpeg Download & Install
cd ~/Downloads
unzip ffmpeg-126126-gdab32dcc212.zip
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin
sudo mv ffmpeg /usr/local/bin/
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg
sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg
ffmpeg -version

# Mastering Chain
ffmpeg -i "input.wav" -af loudnorm=print_format=json -f null - 2>&1 | grep -E "input_i|input_tp|input_lra"
ffmpeg -i "input.wav" -af "loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1:LRA=11,equalizer=f=60:width_type=o:width=2:g=2,equalizer=f=3000:width_type=o:width=1:g=1.5,acompressor=threshold=-18dB:ratio=3:1:attack=20:release=250:makeup=3,alimiter=limit=-1dB:attack=5:release=50" -c:a pcm_s16le "output_FINAL_MASTER.wav"

# Convert Audio
cd ~/Desktop/amusicconvert
ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Written_by_Daniel_Mason_Track_02_master.wav" 2>&1 | grep Duration
ffmpeg -i "Only_now_Written_by_Daniel_Mason_Track_02_master.wav" -c:a aac -b:a 128k -f hls -hls_time 10 -hls_playlist_type vod -hls_segment_filename "Only_now_%03d.ts" "Only_now.m3u8"
ls -la Only_now*

🔑 Key Takeaways

1

Homebrew works but may fail on older macOS versions

2

Static FFmpeg from evermeet.cx is the most reliable option

3

Always remove quarantine on macOS Catalina with xattr -dr

4

Master to -14 LUFS for streaming compatibility

5

Duration = (minutes × 60) + seconds

6

Upload .m3u8 + ALL .ts files together

7

Server doesn't have FFmpeg — always pre-convert locally