LUFS - LOUDNESS UNITS RELATIVE TO FULL SCALE
LUFS is THE measurement method to define, measure and determine loudness within audio material. Whether at online mastering for streaming services or in CD production. LUFS has now fully integrated into the audio world.
WHAT IS LUFS?
LUFS stands for “Loudness Units Full Scale” and is a measure of the loudness of audio signals. It was developed to make the loudness of audio files on different platforms comparable and is often used in mastering.
LUFS is expressed in dB (decibel) and takes into account not only the absolute volume but also the dynamics of the audio signal. This means that LUFS adjusts the loudness of audio files in relation to their dynamics measures, instead of only evaluating them according to their absolute loudness. This can help music play well on different platforms and speaker systems and have proper tonal balance.
What is LU?
LU stands for “Loudness Units” and is a measure of the loudness of audio signals. It was developed to make the loudness of audio files on different platforms comparable and is often used in mastering.
LU is measured in dB (decibels) and takes into account not only the absolute volume but also the dynamics of the audio signal. This means that LU measures the loudness of audio files in terms of their dynamic range, rather than simply evaluating them based on their absolute loudness. This can help music play well on different platforms and speaker systems and have proper tonal balance.
LU is a derived quantity based on the concept of full scale, which refers to the maximum loudness of an audio signal. The term "Loudness Units Full Scale" (LUFS) refers to the loudness in terms of full scale.
What types of loudness measurement are there within LUFS?
Short term loudness
This is the briefly measured loudness. This happens over a period of 3 seconds.
Momentary loudness
This is the current loudness which is measured within 400ms.
Integrated loudness
Integrated Loudness calculates the average loudness over the entire playing time. A "relative gate" is usually used here. This means that signals that are below a certain limit are not used to calculate the average loudness. According to EBU 128, the limit is -23 LUFS, for example.
volume and loudness
Loudness is often confused with loudness. In short - the volume is set on your end device such as the stereo system or smartphone. You can adjust the volume there. Loudness is also a subjective and relative term. But when we talk about loudness, it is a fixed, measurable value that is not only relevant for the sound in the master, but also for that Streaming on Spotify, Youtube and Co. The measurement is usually done with a plugin in your DAW. The Youlean plugin is free and can be easily integrated into any audio workstation in the studio. So you have the volume in the mix with the meter very well under control.
Streaming master for your tracks?
WHY IS LUFS SO IMPORTANT?
LUFS has become more important than ever. The keyword here is the so-called “Loudness war".
The core of this lies with the Use of digital technology, which was used for the first time in the mastering studios in the 90s.
At that time, stylistically speaking, they had so-called “Hot Masters“ Here, the converters were driven so hard that in some cases Desired distortions have arisenThis also led to songs being perceived as louder in general. When other productions that had no "hot mastering" were inferior in loudness to the distorted ones, the tendency was more and more to play at the same loudness in order to remain competitive with the "hot masters".
As a result, the songs and albums got louder and louder and thus also proved to be more assertive.
The chaos was enormous because suddenly there was no regulation and the differences between two titles could be huge.
LUFS is making a decisive U-turn here. By doing Streaming providers or broadcasters specify a loudness value (which is far below the possible maximum), it is possible for the listener to listen to songs one after the other without having to turn the volume control a lot. So it also takes the pressure of competition away from having to convince through loudness. Rather, it tempts to achieve the maximum of quality within a defined loudness mixing to achieve. This benefits the listener and the music.
MORE INFO ABOUT LUFS
ITunes, Youtube, Spotify, Amazon and co. - This is how your song should be!
https://www.peak-studios.de/upload-streaming-dienste/
SPOTIFY DISABLES YOUR LIMITER
https://www.peak-studios.de/spotify-deaktiviert-limiter/
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