Delivery presets
Loudness targets for every place you publish
Each preset bundles a loudness target, a peak ceiling, sensible clean-up defaults and an output format. You can override any setting per file, or set a custom target.
Podcast (stereo)
Apple Podcasts and other podcast appsIntegrated loudness of -16 LUFS (±1 LU) with true peaks at or below -1 dBTP, the level Apple Podcasts specifies for episodes, measured per ITU-R BS.1770-5.
| Target | -16 LUFS integrated (±1 LU) |
|---|---|
| Peak ceiling | -1 dBTP true peak |
| Default output | MP3 192 kbps, 44.1 kHz |
| Default clean-up | Noise reduction: light; de-esser on; leveler on; rumble filter on |
| Based on | Apple Podcasts for Creators: Audio requirements (-16 LKFS ±1 dB, true peak ≤ -1 dBFS) |
Podcast (mono)
Single-voice shows and talk formats published in monoIntegrated loudness of -19 LUFS for mono files. A mono file played on both speakers measures about 3 LU louder, so -19 LUFS mono matches a -16 LUFS stereo master.
| Target | -19 LUFS integrated (±1 LU) |
|---|---|
| Peak ceiling | -1 dBTP true peak |
| Default output | MP3 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz, mono |
| Default clean-up | Noise reduction: light; de-esser on; leveler on; rumble filter on |
| Based on | Common convention for mono (popularized by Google podcast guidelines); 3 LU dual-mono offset noted in AES TD1008 |
Audiobook (ACX / Audible)
Audiobook narrators and producers submitting to ACXRMS between -23 and -18 dB (we aim for -20 dB), peaks no higher than -3 dB and a noise floor at or below -60 dB, delivered as 192 kbps constant-bitrate MP3 at 44.1 kHz without joint stereo.
| Target | -20 dB RMS (accepted range -23 to -18 dB) |
|---|---|
| Peak ceiling | -3 dB peak (we limit at -3.5 dBTP for margin) |
| Noise floor | ≤ -60 dB (lowest 400 ms RMS window, as ACX Check measures it) |
| Default output | MP3 192 kbps, 44.1 kHz |
| Default clean-up | Noise reduction: medium; de-esser on; leveler on; rumble filter on; silence cleanup on |
| Based on | ACX Audio Submission Requirements (help.acx.com); measured the way the ACX Check plugin does |
Online video (YouTube and social)
YouTube voice tracks, tutorials, social and short-form videoIntegrated loudness of -14 LUFS with true peaks at or below -1 dBTP. YouTube publishes no official target; -14 LUFS is the level commonly observed for its playback normalization and matches Spotify's default music normalization.
| Target | -14 LUFS integrated (±1 LU) |
|---|---|
| Peak ceiling | -1 dBTP true peak |
| Default output | WAV 24-bit, 48.0 kHz |
| Default clean-up | Noise reduction: light; de-esser on; leveler on; rumble filter on |
| Based on | Commonly observed platform normalization level (not an official YouTube specification); Spotify music playback normalization -14 LUFS |
Broadcast (EBU R128)
European TV and radio deliveryProgramme loudness of -23.0 LUFS with a maximum true peak of -1 dBTP (EBU R 128, version 5). We master to -23.0 and verify within ±0.2 LU, the measurement tolerance R 128 allows for quality control.
| Target | -23 LUFS integrated (±0.2 LU) |
|---|---|
| Peak ceiling | -1 dBTP true peak |
| Default output | WAV 24-bit, 48.0 kHz |
| Default clean-up | Noise reduction: off; de-esser off; leveler off; rumble filter on |
| Based on | EBU Recommendation R 128 (version 5, 2023) |
Broadcast (ATSC A/85)
US television deliveryLoudness of -24 LKFS with true peaks below -2 dBTP. A/85 allows about ±2 dB of measurement tolerance; we master to -24 and check within ±1 dB.
| Target | -24 LUFS integrated (±1 LU) |
|---|---|
| Peak ceiling | -2 dBTP true peak |
| Default output | WAV 24-bit, 48.0 kHz |
| Default clean-up | Noise reduction: off; de-esser off; leveler off; rumble filter on |
| Based on | ATSC Recommended Practice A/85 (A/85:2026-07; FCC rules reference A/85:2013) |
Custom target
Set any integrated loudness between -30 and -9 LUFS and a true-peak ceiling between -6 and -0.1 dBTP, for client specifications or platforms not listed here.
Platforms change their recommendations from time to time. Check the platform's current specification before an important delivery; the loudness targets reference lists our sources.
Master your next episode to spec
Create an account and get 60 free minutes when you confirm your email. No card needed.