[FAQ]

I’m the editor for a podcast here in NZ and I’m a bit particular about our audio mastering. We generally mix our final episodes to around -16 LUFS to keep a decent dynamic range.

I’ve recently learned that Spotify then applies its own “Loudness Normalization” to all content. I’m a bit concerned about this. Is it going to squash my audio with another layer of compression and mess up the dynamics I’ve tried to preserve?

I reckon it might be changing how our show sounds compared to other platforms. Can anyone explain what Spotify is actually doing and what the current best practice is for mastering audio specifically for their platform?

[Jeff Bullas]

That’s a very sharp question. Understanding this process is key to producing professional audio.

Short Answer: Spotify’s loudness normalisation adjusts your audio’s playback volume to a target of approximately -14 LUFS. It is not a compressor; it simply turns quieter tracks up and louder tracks down to create a uniform listening experience across the platform.

The goal is to master your audio file so that this automated process has to do as little work as possible.

Let’s be very clear about the audio process, as this is a common point of confusion. The system analyses the integrated loudness of your entire file. In your case, a file mastered at -16 LUFS will simply have its playback volume increased by 2 dB to meet the -14 LUFS target. Conversely, a file mastered at -12 LUFS would be turned down by 2 dB. Crucially, this is just a volume knob adjustment. It does not add any new compression or limiting, so the dynamic range you worked to preserve in your mix remains intact. The best practice is to master your final audio file to -14 LUFS yourself. This ensures Spotify applies zero gain adjustment, meaning your audience hears the audio exactly as you finalised it. You should also ensure your true peak levels do not exceed -1.0 dBTP to prevent clipping if positive gain is applied.

While this is an audio-centric process, it relates to your wider content strategy. These technical specifications should be part of a text-based style guide for your show. This document ensures consistency, especially if you collaborate with other editors or producers.

Furthermore, this standard is not unique to Spotify. YouTube and other major video platforms use a similar loudness target. By mastering your audio to the -14 LUFS standard, you ensure that your content sounds consistent and professional whether it’s an audio-only podcast, a social media video clip, or a full video podcast on YouTube.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Author]

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