Why loudness matters
Listeners hear music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and download stores. Each platform adjusts gain from measured loudness. Mastering too hot does not make you “louder on Spotify” — it mostly costs dynamics and raises distortion risk.
Our mastering (€105 per track, album up to twelve songs €420) includes a final file plus a short measurement report. Vinyl masters (€165 per side) follow physical limits; streaming targets partly differ there.
Integrated LUFS briefly
LUFS describes average perceived loudness across the song. Integrated values near −14 LUFS are common on large streaming catalogues; some genres sit a little lower for punch, others slightly higher but within safe true-peak range.
We agree a target with you: club-oriented, acoustic, spoken word inside music, and so on. Reference tracks help more than a random number from a forum.
True peak and clipping
After lossy encoding (AAC, Ogg) intersample peaks can appear. We therefore keep true peak around −1 dBTP or lower depending on distributor rules. Hard clipping on the master bus is avoided; moderate limiting is normal when it stays transparent.
If your mix arrives already flat, mastering has less room. See export stems for headroom before mix.
Platform overview
| Context | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Major streaming catalogues | About −14 LUFS integrated, true peak ≤ −1 dBTP |
| Download (Bandcamp etc.) | More dynamics possible; no streaming-style normalization |
| Video / social clips | Often −14 to −16 LUFS; check platform specs |
| Spoken word in music | Speech often near −16 LUFS; separate segments possible |
Exact algorithms change; we work with current meters and your distributor checklist.
From mix to master
Deliver mix as 24-bit WAV without a limiter on the master bus. Note desired sequence for albums. 2 revision rounds are included in scope; give feedback with timestamps and references.
Mixing with us (€192) can feed the same-day chain when scheduling allows. Book via contact — reply within 2 business days.
Master archive: 18 months on our side; download copies for your distributor.
Measuring at home
Use a loudness meter plugin (EBU R128 / ITU-R BS.1770) on your master bus for reference, not as a substitute for professional mastering. Listen on headphones and speakers; phone speakers are not a master reference but a reality check.
Avoid “louder is better” A/B at different volumes — use level-matched comparisons.
Short-term meters (momentary LUFS) swing a lot; integrated LUFS across the full song is what platforms use for normalization. Log both when you experiment at home so we understand your references faster at intake.
Albums and playlists
On an album, tracks should often feel similar in a playlist without forcing quiet songs louder than they should be. We align sequence during batch mastering (€420). Deliver mixes in intended order and flag outliers — for example an acoustic bonus — in your track list.
Single-first releases can get album integration later; keep mix stems so we are not guessing twice.
Vinyl and special formats
Vinyl mastering needs different bass treatment and side length. Our vinyl master rate (€165 per side) covers technical adjustments; the streaming version may be a separate export with its own loudness.
Tell your pressing plant about formats and deadlines; we deliver files as agreed, not physical manufacturing.
Summary
- Streaming normalizes — master for quality, not to “win” loudness.
- Aim near −14 LUFS integrated with safe true peak.
- Deliver mix with headroom; see mixing and the stem export guide.
- Albums: consistent loudness between tracks when desired.
- Questions: FAQ or 020 245 8317 / [email protected].
Reports are informative; platforms may still adjust gain. When unsure, listen again before release.
