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CLI mode
Run TNT as a headless daemon that watches a directory.
Beta testing the CLI mode
This function is currently in beta testing. Find the releases here .
CLI Mode
TNT can run as a headless daemon that watches a directory and processes audio files automatically. Launch it with flags instead of the GUI.
Basic usage
tnt -i /path/to/watch -o /path/to/output [options]
When started, TNT processes any existing audio files in the input directory, then watches for new files. Press Ctrl+C to stop.
Examples
Normalize to EBU R128 with flat EQ and moderate dynamics:
tnt -i ./inbox -o ./processed -p:eq 1 -p:dyn 2 -lufs 1 -lufs-target-i -23 -lufs-target-tp -1
Tag files with ReplayGain without normalizing (FLAC output):
tnt -i ./inbox -o ./tagged -rg 1 -format flac
MP3 320kbps with broadcast dynamics and LUFS normalization:
tnt -i ./inbox -o ./out -format mp3 -br 320 -p:dyn 3 -lufs 1
Opus speech-optimized output with custom loudness target:
tnt -i ./inbox -o ./out -format opus -br 128 -speech 1 -lufs 1 -lufs-target-i -16 -lufs-target-tp -1
Flags
| Flag | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
-i | Input directory to watch (required) | — |
-o | Output directory (required) | — |
-format | Output format: pcm, flac, opus, aac, mp3 | pcm |
-sr | Sample rate: 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 192000 | 48000 |
-bd | Bit depth: 16, 24, 32, 64 (32/64 are float) | 24 |
-br | Bitrate in kbps (lossy codecs) | 256 |
-p:eq | EQ preset: 0=off, 1=flat, 2=speech, 3=broadcast | 0/off |
-p:dyn | Dynamics preset: 0=off, 1=light, 2=moderate, 3=broadcast | 0/off |
-lufs | LUFS normalization: 1=on, 0=off | 1/on |
-lufs-target-i | Integrated loudness target in LUFS | -23 |
-lufs-target-tp | True peak limit in dBTP | -1 |
-rg | ReplayGain tag-only mode (no normalization): 1=on, 0=off | 0 |
-dyn-norm | Dynamic normalization (dynaudnorm): 1=on, 0=off | 0 |
-speech | Opus speech optimization: 1=on, 0=off | 0 |
-no-transcode | Copy codec without transcoding: 1=on, 0=off | 0 |
-comp | Data compression level 0–10 (FLAC/Opus only) | 0 |
-phase-check | Check for phase inversion before processing: 1=on, 0=off | 0 |
-workers | Number of parallel worker threads (0=auto: CPU cores − 1) | 0 |
About the -comp-flag
This flag is the amount of data compression you want for codecs that allow you to specify data compression level. It does not follow the encoder’s own data compression argument, but maps to that argument.
Range is from 0 (no data compression) to 10 (as much data compression as the encoder allows).
Notes
- The processing pipeline is identical to the GUI: EQ, dynamic normalization, dynamics/compression, then loudness normalization — all at 192 kHz / 64-bit float internally.
- When
-rg 1is set, files are measured and tagged withREPLAYGAIN_TRACK_GAIN,REPLAYGAIN_TRACK_PEAK, andREPLAYGAIN_REFERENCE_LOUDNESSbut audio data is not normalized. - Logs are written to
~/.config/TNT/tnt-cli.log. - Running the binary without any flags launches the GUI as usual.
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TNT is professional audio software that makes your recordings sound consistent everywhere — streaming platforms, broadcast chains, social media, wherever your content ends up.
Help
Other help articles
Advanced mode
Configure encoding parameters, loudness targets, and processing options.
ReadCLI mode
Run TNT as a headless daemon that watches a directory.
ReadGetting started
TNT processes audio for broadcast: transcode, normalize, and tag.
ReadFast mode
In fast mode, select presets designed for common broadcast scenarios.
ReadEncoders
TNT includes industry-standard encoders for each format.
ReadProcessing
Configure dynamics processing and EQ to shape your audio for different broadcast scenarios.
Read