Playlist to tagged audio files, with options for higher-quality sources (Bandcamp, YouTube, Internet Archive)
Python
0
28 commits
updated Oct 8, 2026
Beta: only lightly tested. Windows is the best-tested build. Linux was lightly tested on Ubuntu (WSL2); the macOS build and the Android (Termux) version are untested or lightly tested.
Screenshots show SEVBY HQ (gold theme) on Windows. Linux was tested on Ubuntu (via WSL2) and macOS is untested, so they may look slightly different. The green version is the original SEVBY.
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta importing a .txt file playlist
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta downloading from an imported .txt file playlist
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta UI for pasting a Spotify URL playlist and the Client ID "What is this" pop up window
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta downloading from an imported .txt and a more detailed log
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta exporting an Apple Music playlist URL to .txt & automatically pasting into the text box
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta About & Updates window
The golden child of SEVBY. Same idea, with options for better audio quality if available.
Turn a plain text list of songs (or a Spotify playlist) into tagged audio files on your own computer. SEVBY HQ looks for each song on Bandcamp first, and falls back to YouTube for anything it can't find.
| SEVBY | SEVBY HQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Free lossless sources | - | Optional, off by default. When you turn it on, it checks Jamendo and the Internet Archive first for copies labelled Creative Commons, in FLAC (or 192 kbps+ MP3). Only a small share of songs are there, so most will still come from Bandcamp / YouTube |
| YouTube songs | Converted to MP3 | Original audio kept as M4A, no extra re-encoding (falls back to MP3 if no M4A exists) |
| Bandcamp songs | 128 kbps MP3 (Bandcamp's stream) | Same |
| Honest log | OK | Each song says what you actually got, e.g. [YouTube original audio (M4A/AAC ~129 kbps)] |
| Find better copies | - | A text file of search links for stores that sell lossless / 320 kbps versions |
| Works on | Every player | Almost every phone and computer. Some old MP3 players and car stereos can't play M4A |
If you want files that play everywhere, use the original SEVBY (or pick Standard (MP3) in HQ).
For each song, in this order:
[Internet Archive, FLAC, Creative Commons], with a link to the item so you can check it. Album, year and cover art for these files come from Apple's iTunes search when available, not from the uploader's text.Important: Jamendo and the Internet Archive let anyone upload music and choose its licence label, and nobody checks it. A file labelled Creative Commons may be a mislabelled copy of a commercial song (during testing, a commercial rock song turned up on the Archive tagged this way). SEVBY HQ cannot verify the licence; it only matches the title, artist and length. That is why this option is off by default and shows a notice when you turn it on. You are responsible for only keeping music you have the right to download. If you are unsure, leave it off. Most songs will not be there anyway and will fall through to Bandcamp / YouTube. To avoid saving the wrong song, a file is only used when the title, artist and length all match closely. Jamendo is optional and needs your own free Client ID. Register at https://devportal.jamendo.com, create an app, and paste your ID into the box once. There is no shared key, because Jamendo's terms say keys are personal. By using your own key you agree to Jamendo's API terms yourself, which include crediting Jamendo and the artists (the log prints each track's Jamendo link) and not building an offline-access service. If you are unsure, leave the box empty and only the Internet Archive is checked. In Termux, add --free to turn these sources on. Leave the box unticked (or leave out --free) to skip them.
SEVBY HQ - find better quality.txt into your music folder with search links (Bandcamp, Qobuz, 7digital) for the songs that came from YouTube. Buying from the artist on Bandcamp is the best way to support them..txt file of Artist - Title lines, or a shared Apple Music playlist link (no sign-in), or a Spotify playlist link (needs a Spotify Client ID, which currently requires Spotify Premium to create; see below)Download the zip for your system from the Releases page, unzip it and run it. On Linux or macOS you may need to make the file executable first (chmod +x SEVBY-HQ). Or run from source:
pip install -r requirements.txt
python sevby_app.py
From source you also need ffmpeg (put ffmpeg.exe / ffmpeg next to sevby_app.py, or install it so it's on your PATH).
Android: a command-line version for Termux (no window) is described in TERMUX.md. An Android app is also available on the SEVBY releases page (this HQ edition itself is desktop and Termux only).
SEVBY HQ needs a list of songs. The simplest is a text file with one Artist - Title per line. It also reads CSV files (with Artist and Title / Track Name columns), M3U / M3U8 playlists, and the text file Apple Music exports, so you can usually load an export as it is.
| Where your music lives | How to get a list |
|---|---|
| Spotify | Export with Chosic (works with any account), or paste the playlist link if you have your own Spotify Client ID (see below) |
| Apple Music (iPhone, Mac or Windows) | In Apple Music open the playlist, tap Share > Copy Link, then in SEVBY HQ press Apple Music and paste the link. No sign-in needed. It only works for playlists anyone can open (not private ones), and it reads Apple's public web page, so it could stop working if Apple changes that page. Alternatives: on a Mac or in the Apple Music / iTunes app on Windows choose File > Library > Export Playlist and save as Text, or use a converter such as TuneMyMusic (needs you to sign in to Apple Music) |
| YouTube Music, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and others | A converter like TuneMyMusic or Soundiiz can export a playlist to a file. Check that the one you use supports your service |
| A folder of music files, foobar2000, MusicBee, Plex | Export a playlist as M3U from your player, or type the songs in |
| A wish list (Bandcamp, Discogs, Last.fm, notes app) | Copy the names into a text file, one Artist - Title per line |
SEVBY HQ does not log in to any of these services itself.
One song per line:
Perturbator - Future Club
Carpenter Brut - Turbo Killer
Spotify requires every app to have its own Client ID. Spotify currently requires a Premium account to use its Web API, so a free account may not be able to create one. The author does not have Premium and could not test this mode. If you don't have Premium, export the playlist to text with Chosic and use Song list / .txt file. That works with any Spotify account.
http://127.0.0.1:8888 and click Add.pip install -r requirements.txt pyinstaller
python build.py
The dist/ folder then contains SEVBY-HQ (or SEVBY-HQ.exe). The GitHub Actions workflow in .github/workflows/build.yml builds Windows, Linux and macOS versions with the latest yt-dlp, and re-publishes them to the newest release every month.
pip install -U yt-dlp. This is a hobby project maintained when time allows, so fixes are not guaranteed.--quality standard in Termux) or use the original SEVBY.~/.sevby_hq_log.txt - attach it to bug reports.A small interface that glues together some excellent open-source projects. The heavy lifting is theirs:
Full licence details: THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md.
SEVBY HQ is unsigned and built with PyInstaller, so some antivirus programs may flag or delay it as an unknown file. The full source code is in this repo and the release files are built automatically by the GitHub Actions workflow. You can also run it from source (see Quick start).
VirusTotal scan of SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta (Windows), 8 October 2026: view the report. At the time of the scan, 2 of 69 engines flagged it (generic detections from smaller vendors: Bkav Pro and McAfee Scanner). Microsoft, Kaspersky, ESET, Sophos, Symantec, Malwarebytes, Trend Micro and the other major engines did not. Scanners update their detections over time, so results can change. The report is for that exact file: every new build is a new file, so if the download on the Releases page has been rebuilt since, its result can differ. To check a download yourself, upload it to https://www.virustotal.com.
SEVBY HQ only downloads from Bandcamp, YouTube and, if you turn it on, Jamendo and the Internet Archive. It does not use torrents, file-sharing networks or ripping groups, and it will not be extended to. There are two reasons:
This lowers the risk but doesn't remove it. Keep your antivirus and system up to date, and be careful with any music from sources you don't know.
SEVBY HQ is a tool for personal use. Only download music you have the right to download, such as music you own, that is free to download, or that the artist allows. Downloading copyrighted material without permission may be illegal where you live, and may break the terms of service of YouTube, Bandcamp or Spotify. You are responsible for how you use it. SEVBY HQ is not affiliated with or endorsed by Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube or Google. SEVBY HQ is an independent open-source project and is not affiliated with Sevby LLC (sevby.com). The software is provided "as is", without warranty (see LICENSE).
Playlist to tagged audio files, with options for higher-quality sources (Bandcamp, YouTube, Internet Archive)
Python
0
28 commits
updated Oct 8, 2026
Beta: only lightly tested. Windows is the best-tested build. Linux was lightly tested on Ubuntu (WSL2); the macOS build and the Android (Termux) version are untested or lightly tested.
Screenshots show SEVBY HQ (gold theme) on Windows. Linux was tested on Ubuntu (via WSL2) and macOS is untested, so they may look slightly different. The green version is the original SEVBY.
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta importing a .txt file playlist
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta downloading from an imported .txt file playlist
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta UI for pasting a Spotify URL playlist and the Client ID "What is this" pop up window
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta downloading from an imported .txt and a more detailed log
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta exporting an Apple Music playlist URL to .txt & automatically pasting into the text box
SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta About & Updates window
The golden child of SEVBY. Same idea, with options for better audio quality if available.
Turn a plain text list of songs (or a Spotify playlist) into tagged audio files on your own computer. SEVBY HQ looks for each song on Bandcamp first, and falls back to YouTube for anything it can't find.
| SEVBY | SEVBY HQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Free lossless sources | - | Optional, off by default. When you turn it on, it checks Jamendo and the Internet Archive first for copies labelled Creative Commons, in FLAC (or 192 kbps+ MP3). Only a small share of songs are there, so most will still come from Bandcamp / YouTube |
| YouTube songs | Converted to MP3 | Original audio kept as M4A, no extra re-encoding (falls back to MP3 if no M4A exists) |
| Bandcamp songs | 128 kbps MP3 (Bandcamp's stream) | Same |
| Honest log | OK | Each song says what you actually got, e.g. [YouTube original audio (M4A/AAC ~129 kbps)] |
| Find better copies | - | A text file of search links for stores that sell lossless / 320 kbps versions |
| Works on | Every player | Almost every phone and computer. Some old MP3 players and car stereos can't play M4A |
If you want files that play everywhere, use the original SEVBY (or pick Standard (MP3) in HQ).
For each song, in this order:
[Internet Archive, FLAC, Creative Commons], with a link to the item so you can check it. Album, year and cover art for these files come from Apple's iTunes search when available, not from the uploader's text.Important: Jamendo and the Internet Archive let anyone upload music and choose its licence label, and nobody checks it. A file labelled Creative Commons may be a mislabelled copy of a commercial song (during testing, a commercial rock song turned up on the Archive tagged this way). SEVBY HQ cannot verify the licence; it only matches the title, artist and length. That is why this option is off by default and shows a notice when you turn it on. You are responsible for only keeping music you have the right to download. If you are unsure, leave it off. Most songs will not be there anyway and will fall through to Bandcamp / YouTube. To avoid saving the wrong song, a file is only used when the title, artist and length all match closely. Jamendo is optional and needs your own free Client ID. Register at https://devportal.jamendo.com, create an app, and paste your ID into the box once. There is no shared key, because Jamendo's terms say keys are personal. By using your own key you agree to Jamendo's API terms yourself, which include crediting Jamendo and the artists (the log prints each track's Jamendo link) and not building an offline-access service. If you are unsure, leave the box empty and only the Internet Archive is checked. In Termux, add --free to turn these sources on. Leave the box unticked (or leave out --free) to skip them.
SEVBY HQ - find better quality.txt into your music folder with search links (Bandcamp, Qobuz, 7digital) for the songs that came from YouTube. Buying from the artist on Bandcamp is the best way to support them..txt file of Artist - Title lines, or a shared Apple Music playlist link (no sign-in), or a Spotify playlist link (needs a Spotify Client ID, which currently requires Spotify Premium to create; see below)Download the zip for your system from the Releases page, unzip it and run it. On Linux or macOS you may need to make the file executable first (chmod +x SEVBY-HQ). Or run from source:
pip install -r requirements.txt
python sevby_app.py
From source you also need ffmpeg (put ffmpeg.exe / ffmpeg next to sevby_app.py, or install it so it's on your PATH).
Android: a command-line version for Termux (no window) is described in TERMUX.md. An Android app is also available on the SEVBY releases page (this HQ edition itself is desktop and Termux only).
SEVBY HQ needs a list of songs. The simplest is a text file with one Artist - Title per line. It also reads CSV files (with Artist and Title / Track Name columns), M3U / M3U8 playlists, and the text file Apple Music exports, so you can usually load an export as it is.
| Where your music lives | How to get a list |
|---|---|
| Spotify | Export with Chosic (works with any account), or paste the playlist link if you have your own Spotify Client ID (see below) |
| Apple Music (iPhone, Mac or Windows) | In Apple Music open the playlist, tap Share > Copy Link, then in SEVBY HQ press Apple Music and paste the link. No sign-in needed. It only works for playlists anyone can open (not private ones), and it reads Apple's public web page, so it could stop working if Apple changes that page. Alternatives: on a Mac or in the Apple Music / iTunes app on Windows choose File > Library > Export Playlist and save as Text, or use a converter such as TuneMyMusic (needs you to sign in to Apple Music) |
| YouTube Music, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and others | A converter like TuneMyMusic or Soundiiz can export a playlist to a file. Check that the one you use supports your service |
| A folder of music files, foobar2000, MusicBee, Plex | Export a playlist as M3U from your player, or type the songs in |
| A wish list (Bandcamp, Discogs, Last.fm, notes app) | Copy the names into a text file, one Artist - Title per line |
SEVBY HQ does not log in to any of these services itself.
One song per line:
Perturbator - Future Club
Carpenter Brut - Turbo Killer
Spotify requires every app to have its own Client ID. Spotify currently requires a Premium account to use its Web API, so a free account may not be able to create one. The author does not have Premium and could not test this mode. If you don't have Premium, export the playlist to text with Chosic and use Song list / .txt file. That works with any Spotify account.
http://127.0.0.1:8888 and click Add.pip install -r requirements.txt pyinstaller
python build.py
The dist/ folder then contains SEVBY-HQ (or SEVBY-HQ.exe). The GitHub Actions workflow in .github/workflows/build.yml builds Windows, Linux and macOS versions with the latest yt-dlp, and re-publishes them to the newest release every month.
pip install -U yt-dlp. This is a hobby project maintained when time allows, so fixes are not guaranteed.--quality standard in Termux) or use the original SEVBY.~/.sevby_hq_log.txt - attach it to bug reports.A small interface that glues together some excellent open-source projects. The heavy lifting is theirs:
Full licence details: THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md.
SEVBY HQ is unsigned and built with PyInstaller, so some antivirus programs may flag or delay it as an unknown file. The full source code is in this repo and the release files are built automatically by the GitHub Actions workflow. You can also run it from source (see Quick start).
VirusTotal scan of SEVBY HQ v0.10.0-beta (Windows), 8 October 2026: view the report. At the time of the scan, 2 of 69 engines flagged it (generic detections from smaller vendors: Bkav Pro and McAfee Scanner). Microsoft, Kaspersky, ESET, Sophos, Symantec, Malwarebytes, Trend Micro and the other major engines did not. Scanners update their detections over time, so results can change. The report is for that exact file: every new build is a new file, so if the download on the Releases page has been rebuilt since, its result can differ. To check a download yourself, upload it to https://www.virustotal.com.
SEVBY HQ only downloads from Bandcamp, YouTube and, if you turn it on, Jamendo and the Internet Archive. It does not use torrents, file-sharing networks or ripping groups, and it will not be extended to. There are two reasons:
This lowers the risk but doesn't remove it. Keep your antivirus and system up to date, and be careful with any music from sources you don't know.
SEVBY HQ is a tool for personal use. Only download music you have the right to download, such as music you own, that is free to download, or that the artist allows. Downloading copyrighted material without permission may be illegal where you live, and may break the terms of service of YouTube, Bandcamp or Spotify. You are responsible for how you use it. SEVBY HQ is not affiliated with or endorsed by Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube or Google. SEVBY HQ is an independent open-source project and is not affiliated with Sevby LLC (sevby.com). The software is provided "as is", without warranty (see LICENSE).