diff --git a/server/reflector/pipelines/main_multitrack_pipeline.py b/server/reflector/pipelines/main_multitrack_pipeline.py
index d202206c..2b23c7b6 100644
--- a/server/reflector/pipelines/main_multitrack_pipeline.py
+++ b/server/reflector/pipelines/main_multitrack_pipeline.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from reflector.processors import AudioFileWriterProcessor
 from reflector.processors.audio_waveform_processor import AudioWaveformProcessor
 from reflector.processors.types import TitleSummary
 from reflector.processors.types import Transcript as TranscriptType
+from reflector.settings import settings
 from reflector.storage import Storage, get_transcripts_storage
 from reflector.utils.daily import (
     filter_cam_audio_tracks,
@@ -631,43 +632,55 @@ class PipelineMainMultitrack(PipelineMainBase):
 
         transcript.data_path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-        mp3_writer = AudioFileWriterProcessor(
-            path=str(transcript.audio_mp3_filename),
-            on_duration=self.on_duration,
-        )
-        await self.mixdown_tracks(padded_track_urls, mp3_writer, offsets_seconds=None)
-        await mp3_writer.flush()
+        if settings.SKIP_MIXDOWN:
+            self.logger.warning(
+                "SKIP_MIXDOWN enabled: Skipping mixdown and waveform generation. "
+                "UI will have no audio playback or waveform.",
+                num_tracks=len(padded_track_urls),
+                transcript_id=transcript.id,
+            )
+        else:
+            mp3_writer = AudioFileWriterProcessor(
+                path=str(transcript.audio_mp3_filename),
+                on_duration=self.on_duration,
+            )
+            await self.mixdown_tracks(
+                padded_track_urls, mp3_writer, offsets_seconds=None
+            )
+            await mp3_writer.flush()
 
-        if not transcript.audio_mp3_filename.exists():
-            raise Exception(
-                "Mixdown failed - no MP3 file generated. Cannot proceed without playable audio."
+            if not transcript.audio_mp3_filename.exists():
+                raise Exception(
+                    "Mixdown failed - no MP3 file generated. Cannot proceed without playable audio."
+                )
+
+            storage_path = f"{transcript.id}/audio.mp3"
+            # Use file handle streaming to avoid loading entire MP3 into memory
+            mp3_size = transcript.audio_mp3_filename.stat().st_size
+            with open(transcript.audio_mp3_filename, "rb") as mp3_file:
+                await transcript_storage.put_file(storage_path, mp3_file)
+            mp3_url = await transcript_storage.get_file_url(storage_path)
+
+            await transcripts_controller.update(
+                transcript, {"audio_location": "storage"}
             )
 
-        storage_path = f"{transcript.id}/audio.mp3"
-        # Use file handle streaming to avoid loading entire MP3 into memory
-        mp3_size = transcript.audio_mp3_filename.stat().st_size
-        with open(transcript.audio_mp3_filename, "rb") as mp3_file:
-            await transcript_storage.put_file(storage_path, mp3_file)
-        mp3_url = await transcript_storage.get_file_url(storage_path)
+            self.logger.info(
+                f"Uploaded mixed audio to storage",
+                storage_path=storage_path,
+                size=mp3_size,
+                url=mp3_url,
+            )
 
-        await transcripts_controller.update(transcript, {"audio_location": "storage"})
-
-        self.logger.info(
-            f"Uploaded mixed audio to storage",
-            storage_path=storage_path,
-            size=mp3_size,
-            url=mp3_url,
-        )
-
-        self.logger.info("Generating waveform from mixed audio")
-        waveform_processor = AudioWaveformProcessor(
-            audio_path=transcript.audio_mp3_filename,
-            waveform_path=transcript.audio_waveform_filename,
-            on_waveform=self.on_waveform,
-        )
-        waveform_processor.set_pipeline(self.empty_pipeline)
-        await waveform_processor.flush()
-        self.logger.info("Waveform generated successfully")
+            self.logger.info("Generating waveform from mixed audio")
+            waveform_processor = AudioWaveformProcessor(
+                audio_path=transcript.audio_mp3_filename,
+                waveform_path=transcript.audio_waveform_filename,
+                on_waveform=self.on_waveform,
+            )
+            waveform_processor.set_pipeline(self.empty_pipeline)
+            await waveform_processor.flush()
+            self.logger.info("Waveform generated successfully")
 
         speaker_transcripts: list[TranscriptType] = []
         for idx, padded_url in enumerate(padded_track_urls):
diff --git a/server/reflector/settings.py b/server/reflector/settings.py
index 1ec46d94..338e1da9 100644
--- a/server/reflector/settings.py
+++ b/server/reflector/settings.py
@@ -138,6 +138,14 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     DAILY_WEBHOOK_UUID: str | None = (
         None  # Webhook UUID for this environment. Not used by production code
     )
+
+    # Multitrack processing
+    # SKIP_MIXDOWN: When True, skips audio mixdown and waveform generation.
+    # Transcription still works using individual tracks. Useful for:
+    # - Diagnosing OOM issues in mixdown
+    # - Fast processing when audio playback is not needed
+    # Note: UI will have no audio playback or waveform when enabled.
+    SKIP_MIXDOWN: bool = True
     # Platform Configuration
     DEFAULT_VIDEO_PLATFORM: Platform = WHEREBY_PLATFORM
 
diff --git a/www/app/(app)/transcripts/[transcriptId]/page.tsx b/www/app/(app)/transcripts/[transcriptId]/page.tsx
index 1e020f1c..ead2d259 100644
--- a/www/app/(app)/transcripts/[transcriptId]/page.tsx
+++ b/www/app/(app)/transcripts/[transcriptId]/page.tsx
@@ -117,15 +117,6 @@ export default function TranscriptDetails(details: TranscriptDetails) {
     return <Modal title="Loading" text={"Loading transcript..."} />;
   }
 
-  if (mp3.error) {
-    return (
-      <Modal
-        title="Transcription error"
-        text={`There was an error loading the recording. Error: ${mp3.error}`}
-      />
-    );
-  }
-
   return (
     <>
       <Grid
@@ -147,7 +138,12 @@ export default function TranscriptDetails(details: TranscriptDetails) {
               />
             ) : !mp3.loading && (waveform.error || mp3.error) ? (
               <Box p={4} bg="red.100" borderRadius="md">
-                <Text>Error loading this recording</Text>
+                <Text>
+                  Error loading{" "}
+                  {[waveform.error && "waveform", mp3.error && "mp3"]
+                    .filter(Boolean)
+                    .join(" and ")}
+                </Text>
               </Box>
             ) : (
               <Skeleton h={14} />