That’s just my opinion, there are others.Damn, now I'm even more confused of what to do...
There is no single answer to this question. It all depends on what platform your music is intended for. Spotify -14, Apple Music -16, Broadcast - 20-26, etc. You can search the Internet for more information.What LUFS do YOU, master at?
And why?
Next time I'm going in hot. They can turn it down if they want to.
Sorry, but I disagree. If your mix at -14 Lufs sounds worse in your opinion, then the problem is not in LUFS, but in proper mixing and balancing of dynamics and volume. A properly mixed mix should sound good both at low and high volume, which is usually not the case when mixed by non-professionals (in most cases). There is so much nonsense written on the Internet about this problem that it is not surprising that everyone considers raising Lufs a panacea for all their ills.I released four songs last month, and this time I mastered at -14 LUFS. Compared to other similar type recordings on Spotify, etc., my mixes sound quieter, i.e., not as good. So to hell with streaming standards. Next time I'm going in hot. They can turn it down if they want to.
I don't mind saying that when Craig states his opinion on such things, it comes with a lot of experience, and a very good working knowledge over mastering.I've done tests of compressing material mastered at -14 or -16 to bring it up to -10 or -9. When volume normalized, they have the same perceived loudness. However, a problem is that LUFS is a measurement standard, not a standard of how various streaming services set their targets. For example, Spotify has an option to turn off normalization. Then your music plays back at whatever level you mastered it. For their "Loud" option (-11 LUFS), they'll bring up the level of softer music but add limiting. I think Pandora does the same thing.
Another issue is True Peak. As John Pihel says, you need to achieve a balance of dynamics and volume for mixing. For streaming services, you also need to balance LUFS with True Peak settings. If you send a super-hot master to Spotify, then the True Peak should be no higher than -2 dB. This has to be taken into account, or the streaming site's transcoding can not only add distortion, but change the perceived level. It's difficult for an LUFS preset to choose the correct tradeoff. For example, it might lower the requested LUFS value to compensate for excessively high True Peak values.
And...if you think you're doing the right thing by mastering to -16 LUFS for Apple, YouTube will not turn it up to match their -14 LUFS target. Spotify will turn it up, but add an extra dB of headroom...and so on Also note that streaming services can, and do, change their "standards." I think (not sure) YouTube was specifying -13 LUFS at one point but is now doing -14 dB LUFS.
A final issue is the program material itself. Dynamics processing is part of rock music. It brings up room sound and has other attributes that create a distinctive sonic signature. If you don't use dynamics processing to hit a lower LUFS level, then it may not have that "rock" sound. This is why I think it's important to get the sound you want. As long as it's above -14 LUFS, the streaming service will turn it down to hit its target for perceived loudness.
I know...TMI![]()
I don't mind saying that when Craig states his opinion on such things, it comes with a lot of experience
Otherwise, if you're not sure, send it to a competent, or proven professional.
Thanks for your input. I always try to make the best mixes I can, but going forward I'll keep your helpful advice in mind.Sorry, but I disagree. If your mix at -14 Lufs sounds worse in your opinion, then the problem is not in LUFS, but in proper mixing and balancing of dynamics and volume. A properly mixed mix should sound good both at low and high volume, which is usually not the case when mixed by non-professionals (in most cases). There is so much nonsense written on the Internet about this problem that it is not surprising that everyone considers raising Lufs a panacea for all their ills.
Try it. I think it will help solve many problems.Thanks for your input. I always try to make the best mixes I can, but going forward I'll keep your helpful advice in mind.
FWIW, I don't believe anyone here simply discussed setting LUFS to anything and that's all there is to it. This is a forum, and conversation will take different approaches towards different needs or stressing a few simple points. We're not trying to cover every avenue of resolve. That's why it was briefly mentioned variations can occur based on what ones music source material might be. Of course testing ones material at different levels is always recommended. Even particularly these days, check how it sounds when streamed. How it also sounds through ear buds, and other forms where one's music is going.Sorry, but I disagree. If your mix at -14 Lufs sounds worse in your opinion, then the problem is not in LUFS, but in proper mixing and balancing of dynamics and volume. A properly mixed mix should sound good both at low and high volume, which is usually not the case when mixed by non-professionals (in most cases). There is so much nonsense written on the Internet about this problem that it is not surprising that everyone considers raising Lufs a panacea for all their ills.
Exactly. This is especially typical for performers who decided that they are sound engineers too. And then they create video "lessons" and tell everyone how to do it. It's terrible.But to John's point, sure there's a lot of nonsense written towards LUFS. I rarely venture out to those areas, but in the interest of set guidelines for LUFS, people will find their needs, or have it done for them. There has to be some guidelines for example listen to advertisements or seriously loud Metal, which when viewing the waveform looks like a tube of salami. Just so they can get LUFS to -4. (Bam!)
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Indeed. The beauty of a well based forum such as this one is that it breaths. It evolves as it needs to. No one can cover what will be a "fit for all", in so few (or many) words, but the fact that we as users, sound men, engineers, PC builders, artists, and crafters come from different approaches, experiences, and backgrounds who use these industry related products. A good forum simply allows for a meeting place that we can check, bounce, or build ideas off one another. This forum provides an excellent resource for those who can benefit from well shared information or ideas...... Here, we have knowledgeable people looking over our shoulders who can correct us (hopefully in a diplomatic way!) if appropriate. That's how we all learn, right?
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