What loudness normalization does
Spotify plays tracks at a normalized loudness of about -14 LUFS by default. If your master is louder than that, Spotify turns it down; if it’s quieter, Spotify can turn it up. This means a brick-walled, hyper-loud master no longer wins on volume, it just loses dynamics and gets turned down to the same level as everyone else.
What LUFS actually means
LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) measures perceived loudness over time, not just peak level. It’s the number that matters for streaming because it’s what the platforms use to normalize. Peak metering tells you about clipping; LUFS tells you how loud the song will actually sound to a listener.
What to aim for
A master somewhere around -9 to -14 LUFS integrated works well for most modern music, loud enough to feel competitive and impactful, without crushing the life out of the song. The exact target depends on genre: EDM and trap sit louder, acoustic and jazz sit quieter and keep more dynamics. The goal is impact and clarity, not the highest possible number.
Why a real master still matters
Since raw loudness no longer wins, what does win is a master that sounds full, punchy and clear at any volume, good tonal balance, controlled dynamics, and transients that survive. That’s judgement, not a number, which is exactly what a real mastering engineer brings that a loudness-maximizer preset can’t.
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