![]() The five songs were submitted as "singles" to streaming services so that each track's volume is assessed individually, and not as an average for the entire EP or LP. Each file consists of an identical sequences of pink noise calibrated to specific loudness levels. To illustrate the playback volume manipulation performed by streaming services I have submitted test files of master levels to streaming services. Test Files Submitted to Streaming Services: The decision regarding master level is one of personal taste more than perceived loudness on streaming platforms. Some pop or rock records sound more ‘together’ at louder master levels. Electronic records often sound more appropriate at louder levels. However, different master levels are attributed to genre. LUFS measurement uses a k- weighting filtering and creating a mix with an appropriate spectral balance will contribute to perceived loudness more than your master level. A more dynamic master will not result in a louder perceived playback. However, this does not impact perceived loudness as you would expect. in effect, the louder you master your album, the lower your peak to loudness ratio. Lower level masters are not turned down as much and provide for a greater peak to loudness ratio than albums that are mastered at loud volumes. Loud master recordings (pink, orange, yellow) are turned down to the streaming service's target volume. ![]() ![]() The target playback level in the below example is -14LUFS (Spotify & Tidal). Mastering Levels and Streaming Service Target Volumes:īelow are five different masters of a single song at a different loudness levels (-8LUFS, -10LUFS, -12LUFS, -14LUFS and -16LUFS). For example, if you master an album to -8LUFS (loud) and submit the files to Spotify, they will turn down the songs playback volume 6dB to match their target volume of -14LUFS. Because of the difference between master levels and streaming service target levels, the louder a master recording is made, the more streaming services will turn down the recording to match their target level. Streaming service's target levels are much lower in volume than master levels preferred by modern artists, producers and engineers. The Audio Engineering Society suggests a streaming target level of -16LUFS, however, most streaming services use a louder target level between -13 and -16LUFS. The song, EP or LP's loudness value is used to normalize playback volume to a target level set by the streaming service. Services like Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music determine an average loudness value for singles, EPs & LPs using a loudness measurement called LUFS. Streaming services use volume normalization to create a balanced listening experience across playlists and albums.
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