Exact specs for Spotify, Apple, YouTube, peak, DR. Upload for pro master.
Table of Contents
- 1. What “LUFS” Actually Means (in 60 Seconds)
- 2. Platform Cheat-Sheet: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Tidal, Deezer
- 3. Peak & Headroom Rules (-1 dBTP, -2 dBTP, True Peak)
- 4. Dynamic Range vs. Loudness: Where to Stop the Squeeze
- 5. How to Measure LUFS Correctly (Free Tools)
- 6. Common Loudness Mistakes That Trigger Rejection
- 7. When to Trust Your Ears vs. the Meter
- 8. Ready to Hit the Targets? Upload for Pro Master
1. What “LUFS” Actually Means (in 60 Seconds)
- LUFS = Loudness Units relative to Full Scale
- Integrated LUFS = average loudness over the full track
- Short-term LUFS = 3-second window (great for ballads)
- Peak dBTP = true-peak sample level (detects inter-sample clips)
- Rule: Integrated LUFS is what platforms normalize to
2. Platform Cheat-Sheet: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Tidal, Deezer
| Platform | Normalizes To | Peak Ceiling | Rejects If |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | > +0 dBTP |
| Apple Music | -16 LUFS | -2 dBTP | > +0 dBTP |
| YouTube Music | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | > +0 dBTP |
| Tidal | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | > +0 dBTP |
| Deezer | -15 LUFS | -1 dBTP | > +0 dBTP |
| Bandcamp | No normalization | -0.1 dBTP | Clips |
| SoundCloud | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | > +0 dBTP |
Target master: −9 LUFS integrated, −1 dBTP max → platforms turn down, never up.
3. Peak & Headroom Rules (-1 dBTP, -2 dBTP, True Peak)
- Print master at −1 dBTP to prevent encoder overs
- Apple prefers −2 dBTP but accepts −1 dBTP safely
- Use true-peak meters like YouLean, SPAN, or Pro-L2
- Never print 0 dBFS, inter-sample clips = rejection
4. Dynamic Range vs. Loudness: Where to Stop the Squeeze
| Genre | Integrated LUFS | DR (dB) | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pop / EDM | -9 to -8 | 8–10 | Loud & punchy |
| Hip-Hop | -10 to -8 | 9–11 | Vocals up-front |
| Rock | -11 to -9 | 10–12 | Guitars need air |
| Indie / Folk | -12 to -10 | 11–14 | Natural dynamics |
| Jazz / Classical | -16 to -13 | 14–20 | Keep transients |
Rule: Don’t trade dynamic range for loudness, streaming will turn you down anyway.
5. How to Measure LUFS Correctly (Free Tools)
- YouLean Loudness Meter, free, set to “Integrated”
- Span Plus, free, enable LUFS mode
- Logic Pro: Multimeter → Loudness → Integrated
- Pro Tools: Pro-L2 in Integrated mode
- Always export 24-bit WAV and measure full song, not loop
6. Common Loudness Mistakes That Trigger Rejection
| Mistake | Why It Fails | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 0 dBFS peak | Inter-sample clips | Print at −1 dBTP |
| > −6 LUFS | Pumping, listener fatigue | Back off to −9 LUFS |
| Short-term > −6 LUFS | Ballad loses breath | Watch 3-second window |
| No DR meter | Squashed, lifeless | Keep DR ≥ 8 dB |
| MP3 upload | Encoder overshoot | Use WAV 24-bit only |
7. When to Trust Your Ears vs. the Meter
- Meter says −9 LUFS but sounds harsh → back off 1 dB
- DR reads 9 dB but vocals masked → EQ before louder
- True-peak at −1.1 dBTP but clipping audible → lower to −1.5 dBTP
- Final rule: Ears lead, meters confirm
8. Ready to Hit the Targets? Upload for Pro Master
- Export 24-bit WAV, −12 dBFS peaks, no limiter on stereo bus
- Label “Mix Final”, include instrumental if needed
- Upload here → choose Mastering
- Approve 30-second master preview (−9 LUFS, −1 dBTP, DR ≥ 8 dB)
- Download final WAV + Apple Digital Masters → release anywhere
Streaming Loudness Targets at a Glance
Mastering for streaming means setting mastering loudness for normalization, not maximum level: the Spotify LUFS reference sits at −14 integrated, Apple Music loudness targets −16 with Sound Check, and YouTube hovers near −14. Loudness normalization makes overshooting pointless, set your streaming loudness targets by genre and dynamics, keep true peak at −1 dBTP, and let the platforms do the rest.