Loudness Targets and Mastering for Streaming Platforms
Let’s talk about loudness targets. You know, those magical numbers like -14 LUFS on Spotify or -16 LUFS on Apple Music that people act like are the holy grail of mastering. The truth is, chasing a number too hard can make your song sound like a smoothie someone forgot to stir. Sure, the meter looks pretty, but your mix loses energy, dynamics, and, frankly, its soul.
The song comes first. The number comes second. Always.
1. What Loudness Normalization Really Means
Most streaming platforms adjust playback levels so one track doesn’t blow out your ears while the next barely whispers. This is called loudness normalization.
Tracks louder than the platform’s target get turned down
Tracks quieter might get boosted
The kicker is that your carefully crafted peak and dynamics might shift depending on the listener’s device or app settings. That’s right, someone could be listening on a Bluetooth speaker in a coffee shop or turn normalization off entirely, and your mix could play at the level you mastered it anyway.
True story: I’ve spent hours trying to hit the “perfect” LUFS number and then realized it doesn’t matter for half of the listeners. Lesson learned.
2. Why You Should Focus on the Song, Not the Target
Each song has a personality. Some tracks thrive with big, wide dynamics, and some need controlled energy to hit hard. If you squash everything just to hit a number, you kill that personality.
By mastering for the song first, you make sure:
Tonal balance stays intact
Dynamics feel musical
Punch and emotion survive any platform processing
If the meters end up happy, that’s a bonus. If they don’t, that’s okay too. The listener doesn’t care if it’s -13 or -14 LUFS, they care if it feels right.
3. Practical Tips Without Obsessing Over Numbers
Leave a little headroom, like -1 dBTP, to avoid nasty surprises on streaming platforms.
Listen everywhere. Headphones, monitors, car stereo, your neighbor’s questionable Bluetooth speaker.
Use meters as guides, not bosses. If the song sounds wrong but the LUFS are perfect, your ears are probably right.
Reference tracks are your friends. Pick songs in the same vibe and energy as yours and compare.
Remember, the goal is to serve the music, not the meter.
4. Normalization Is a Moving Target
Normalization varies between services and devices. One person’s Spotify might normalize aggressively, another’s YouTube playback might barely touch it. Some users turn it off entirely. Trying to please every scenario is like trying to herd cats. Focus on making the track sound solid everywhere, and trust the system to handle the rest.
5. Summary
Loudness targets exist, but your song comes first
Normalization ensures playback consistency, but you cannot control every listener
Master for dynamics, tone, and emotion first, numbers second
Meters and LUFS are helpful, but your ears are the final judge
In the end, mastering is like babysitting a tiny waveform. You can try to make everything neat and safe, but the little gremlins are going to find their way anyway. Focus on the song, and the loudness targets will take care of themselves.
