MPC AudioSwitcher 1.8.9.36

MPC AudioSwitcher is a free DirectShow filter that lets you toggle between internal audio streams or overlay external audio files on any video playing in MPC-BE or MPC-HC.

Whether you have a video file with multiple language tracks, commentary options, or separate music mixes, MPC AudioSwitcher eliminates the tedious process of manually switching audio through complex menu systems.

The filter integrates directly into your DirectShow playback chain, appearing as a configurable option within your media player's filter menu.

Working with Multi-Track Video Files

Modern video containers like MKV and MP4 frequently include multiple audio streams - original language, dubbed versions, director's commentary, and descriptive audio tracks.

MPC AudioSwitcher detects all available audio streams automatically and presents them in a simple interface.

Supported formats include AAC, AC3, MP3, OGG, M4A, FLAC, and DTS audio embedded in video containers.

For advanced surround sound handling, pair the filter with LAV Filters, which provides hardware-accelerated decoding for DTS-HD and TrueHD tracks.

Adding External Audio to Video Files

Sometimes your video file contains no audio at all, or you have a separate audio track recorded independently - perhaps a different language dub, a remastered soundtrack, or podcast audio that needs to sync with video.

MPC AudioSwitcher lets you load external audio files directly and play them alongside your video.

When your video already has internal audio, you can override it with the external track.

The filter does not mix both tracks simultaneously - it switches between them cleanly, making it ideal for comparing audio versions or testing synchronization.

For subtitle management alongside audio switching, install MPC SubtitleSource to handle SRT, ASS, and SSA files with professional rendering quality.

Quick Setup in MPC-HC

If you prefer the classic MPC-HC interface, enable automatic external audio loading through the player's settings.

Navigate to View, then Options, then Playback, and enable "Auto-load audio files." Place your external audio file in the same folder as the video with a matching filename, and MPC-HC will detect it automatically.

You can also load audio files manually by dragging them into the player window.

Optimal Configuration in MPC-BE

MPC-BE provides deeper integration with MPC AudioSwitcher since both projects share development resources. For the best audio experience, combine the AudioSwitcher with MPC Audio Renderer for WASAPI exclusive mode output that bypasses Windows audio mixing. This configuration delivers bit-perfect audio to your speakers or headphones with zero processing interference.

Building Your DirectShow Filter Chain

MPC AudioSwitcher works best as part of a complete DirectShow setup.

For video decoding, LAV Filters handles everything from H.264 to HEVC to AV1 with hardware acceleration.

Add MPC Video Renderer for HDR support, color-accurate output, and GPU-accelerated scaling.

For subtitle rendering, DirectVobSub or the newer MPC SubtitleSource provides crisp text display with full style support.

If you need comprehensive codec support without configuring individual filters, the K-Lite Codec Pack bundles MPC-HC, LAV Filters, and essential DirectShow components in a tested, conflict-free package.

Use Cases for Audio Switching

Language learners benefit from quick switching between dubbed and original audio while following subtitles.

Film enthusiasts can compare theatrical audio mixes with director's cuts or isolated score tracks.

Content creators testing sync between separately recorded audio and video save time by loading tracks directly rather than muxing them into new containers first.

Podcast editors previewing audio over video exports can verify timing before final rendering.

Technical Details

MPC AudioSwitcher registers as a standard DirectShow filter on Windows 7 through Windows 11.

The almost 1MB installer adds filter registration to your system, making the component available to any DirectShow-compatible player including PotPlayer, Zoom Player, and KMPlayer.

For surround sound content with DTS or Dolby tracks, ensure you have proper audio decoding through LAV Filters or the legacy AC3 Filter.

Related Guides

To understand how audio decoders, splitters, and renderers interact in your playback chain, read our guide on Understanding the Roles of Decoders and Renderers.

For a detailed comparison of MPC-based players, check out MPC-BE vs MPC-HC: Which Media Player is Right for You?