" YouTube business secret " (Top Secret)

However, YouTube's loudness normalization specification is not published. I tried to guess the formula for loudness normalization on YouTube.

 

This was before they changed it to LUFS in 2019 (see #46).

It's -14 LUFS (Integrated).

 

there is a generic law which says those who do not know what online services do to your audio also do not need to care, because they mostly produce overcompressed pop music anway, which is not affected by a streaming service making it louder.

 

Ok, we discovered that the different platforms have different audio standards: does it mean that it would be better to create dedicated masters for each different platform (youtube, vimeo, soundcloud, spotify etc)? There are dozen of different streaming service: this multi-mastering idea is really impractical. We must also consider that the standards of the platforms are not very clear and often change without notice.
In short, what is the best workflow for 2021 mastering for audio streaming?

Let's say that I like the super-squashed sausage waveform sound at -6LUFS: should I really consider the difference between how the master should sound to my ears and the most appropriate way to deliver it to the platform?

 

It's a crystal clear 'it depends'. All conservative (and wannabe pro ) mastering engineers will tell to do what ever you see fit. While some others are shaking with laughter and will ask you why not to adjust up to +/- 3LUFS to get the most out of every platform?

Taking into consideration that most modern EDM and Metal stuff is loud AF (so target ignored) and the platforms can change their targets anytime in any direction, I'd say screw them all and do whatever you want.

 

Loudness and its Specifications for streaming Services
Different providers, different guidelines. To make things a little easier for you, you will find a clear table with the upload specifications for the respective providers here. Status (October 2019). Please don't nail these values in stone! It may well be that a song needs a higher loudness (e.g. electro) to sound powerful at all. Furthermore, the portals experiment with your algorithm from time to time.
Source: www.peak-studios.de/upload-streaming-dienste/

or


Waves - WLM Plus Loudness Meter- $29,99 / €28 (Save 92%)
The Waves WLM Plus Loudness Meter plugin provides precision loudness measurement, metering, correction and adjustment tools for broadcast, movie trailers, games, packaged media.- Includes presets for podcasters, YouTubers, and content creators
www.waves.com/plugins/wlm-loudness-meter#how-to-set-loudness-levels-for-streaming-wlm

 

Last edited: May 25, 2021

i think you would have competition from my youtube channel lol

 

Prior to normalization everybody tried to get louder by higher compression/limiting (and that led to the "loudness war"). Since this won't work with normalization anymore, there's basically just one thing to consider: compress as much as you need to achieve your desired sound (no matter if the result is -10 LUFS or -5 LUFS), but not more than this (!). It's certainly not necessary to create different masters for each platform.

This table is outdated. You can find a recent one from Mastering The Mix: https://www.masteringthemix.com/blo...dio-for-soundcloud-itunes-spotify-and-youtube
YouTube recommends 24 bits audio: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6039860

 

Thanks - updated it!

 

Last edited: May 25, 2021

When Jimi Hendrix sang "Are you experienced, have you ever been experienced?" he was referencing No Avenger's skills...FYI.

 

Yup, and without penalty for false reporting or downright stenogrsphy from anonymous sources. Control the narrative to win hearts and minds.

 

Youlean Loudness Meter VST (Freeware)
Youlean Loudness Meter helps you find the true perceived loudness of your audio and prepares it for TV or streaming services release. Join the thousands of recording studios that already use it.
https://youlean.co/youlean-loudness-meter/
or
TBProAudio - dpMeter VST (Freeware)
dpMeter is a precise digital audio multi channel meter including RMS, EBU R 128, Dialog gated and TruePeak (intersample) measurement. It is the successor of the very popular dpMeter4 and adds GUI resizing and preset management
https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/dpmeter

 

Last edited: May 25, 2021

just make two categories: good sources and bad sources.

when russia today correctly reports the weather forecast youtube adds "warning! this source is partially funded by a government!" to it.

the google company and such algorithm are amplifiers for black & white thinking.

 

I"m pretty sure LUFS on YooToob stands for "Lies Using False Statements'. it's measured in Max Headroom units. The revolution will not be streamed.

 

Says who? It's ok or good, like the others, but best? Daring thesis.

 

Of course, you can also formulate it differently, for beginners, (professionals already know) no idea - how should I measure Lufs, which plug-in can be recommended and which is free.

Is from here: www.soundonsound.com/reviews/klangfreund-lufs-meter

There are a number of plug-ins that provide measurements compliant with ITU-R BS.1770 and other standards. Some are free and some quite pricey, but I’ve found none that offer LUFS Meter’s synchronised automatic loudness adjustment. One of the best free plug-ins is the Youlean Loudness Meter, which has an even more flexible loudness history plot — it can save a history with your project for viewing later — but it does not have a gain-adjustment feature. Another free plug-in is Melda Productions’ MLoudnessAnalyzer, which does offer gain adjustment, but only on a per-track basis.

A pair of very useful non-free plug-ins, reviewed in Sound On Sound April 2015, are NuGen’s MasterCheck and MasterCheck Pro; these do not provide a loudness history plot, but include a ‘send’ module that can be placed on another track or earlier in the MasterCheck track to match loudness of a reference track or match loudness across effects chains. MasterCheck Pro also provides tools to reveal how consumers will hear compressed audio streams on various music platforms. Finally, Meterplugs’ LCAST is aimed at professional broadcasting and provides all the usual metrics and a history plot, at a more affordable price than most professional metering products.

 

Last edited: May 25, 2021

SOS is not very reliable, IMHO. This conclusion for instance 'If you are still compressing the life out of your mixes ... stop right now, or prepare to retire from the audio business!' is completely wrong.

 

Yes, the statement is rubbish, but SOS is not junk and can serve as a reference, because capable people write along - some are just not that capable, but in percentage terms, SOS is a great site. I'm more of a fan of gearspace (they used to be called Gearslutz). I know, like you, you always have to be critical, question everything and think for yourself.

Youlean Loudness Meter won the " KVR Developer Challenge 2016.
Source: www.kvraudio.com/product/youlean-loudness-meter-by-youlean

We talk about LUFS all the time, only with which free plugins you can measure that is missing. So I thought it was right to bring the Youlean Loudness Meter up for discussion. I found another Free LUFS Meter plugiN: TBProAudio - dpMeter VST (Freeware) www.tbproaudio.de/products/dpmeter

 

Last edited: May 25, 2021