For anyone who hasn't see this, here is a 2020 summary of True Peak Limit (dBTP) and LUFS-I and Dynamic Range for various streaming platforms.
I came across this table while investigating how to use Reaper's limiter to reduce digital clipping of peaks while expanding the volume of the overall. Reaper's dynamic plugin "JS: Loudness Meter Peak/RMS/LUFS (Cockos)" is excellent for giving real-time feedback on clipping and various LUFS data. It is perfect for visualising output. When placed on the Master Track after a mastering plugin, this Loudness Meter plugin works well with any mastering tool (e.g. Ozone).
This is the Kenny Gioia video that I was watching (in case anyone is interested).
I've used the target of -14 LUFS for many years; it seems to work out well. I did not put my commercial music on most of these platforms; CD Baby did, so I don't know what settings they used (and it was almost 20 years ago for most of my serious recording).
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I only have a few songs on Soundcloud. I'm way behind on all this information so I'm giving myself a crash course. The resources that are available on the internet these days (Youtube expecially) are incredible. I'm learning lots as I go along.
Thank you Noel - this is the second thing I have learned today - I didn't know LUFS existed, but it makes sense. This is yet another reason I am seriously considering focusing on Reaper (I have Cakewalk Sonar as well). Andrew
I've been using Reaper for a long time now. It has become very popular. I noticed just recently that there are heaps of videos on Youtube. One of the best sites is Kenny Gioia's site called Reaper Mania. He's been very prolific and focuses on teaching people about the software. His videos are great.
My experience has been that 14 LUFS is very quiet for SoudCloud. They are apparently one of the few platforms that make no adjustments to what you upload.
I'm a big fan of loundnesspenalty.com - free and no signup required and very fast. It only takes a few seconds to see how and if your song will be altered by the platforms. I use this as a basis for all my mastering.
A LOT of the forum songs would require huge changes by the platforms as many are very loud. And the changes made my the platforms can introduce artifacts IMHO.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
My experience has been that 14 LUFS is very quiet for SoudCloud. They are apparently one of the few platforms that make no adjustments to what you upload.
I'm a big fan of loundnesspenalty.com - free and no signup required and very fast. It only takes a few seconds to see how and if your song will be altered by the platforms. I use this as a basis for all my mastering.
A LOT of the forum songs would require huge changes by the platforms as many are very loud. And the changes made my the platforms can introduce artifacts IMHO.
Thanks Bud - excuse my questions in ignorance - I've only learned of LUFS existence due to Noel's thread and still learning DAW and mixing stuff as I go. I had wondered why my songs posted had different volumes on different sites. Do you aim for a LUFS target before checking with loudnesspenalty.com, or do you go by experience and feel and then just check it with loudnesspenalty.com before posting? If it's too loud, do you use a limiter on your master track final mix? If you do target LUFS, is it the 'integrated' measure, or do you use short range measure for the peak section of the track? Andrew
My experience is that you can use these charts and tools to get it close to the way each streaming service wants it, but you do not have control; they do. If you are just a hair over their limit they will make adjustments you may not like.
Many years ago I learned you cannot predict what an individual radio station will do to squash the dynamic range out of your song, only that it will. This streaming environment still unfortunately has some of that and it has been the Wild West as far as moving standards, if my experiences over the past six years are still true.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
There’s a 10W radio network called K-LOVE that squashes your mix to an extreme not found anywhere else — yet some tracks still sound good. How?
We who know use brickwall limiters to suck all the dynamics out of our clients’ tracks in advance. Our mixes are unchanged when broadcast. Some things really are that simple.
BIAB 2024 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
Since no one has yet mentioned the Youlean Loudness Meter, I will. The free version is fully functional. The Pro version adds a ton of useful features, including presets for a lot of different streaming platforms. The YLM is a plugin that you put at the end of your signal chain in BiaB or in your DAW. You can configure the free version for any streaming platforms requirements, or use the simpler Pro version preset. I upgraded to Pro many years ago to support the dev. He has continuously upgraded it (all upgrades are free for life), adding Pro version user requests. Highly recommended.
My experience has been that 14 LUFS is very quiet for SoudCloud. They are apparently one of the few platforms that make no adjustments to what you upload.
I'm a big fan of loundnesspenalty.com - free and no signup required and very fast. It only takes a few seconds to see how and if your song will be altered by the platforms. I use this as a basis for all my mastering.
A LOT of the forum songs would require huge changes by the platforms as many are very loud. And the changes made my the platforms can introduce artifacts IMHO.
Thanks Bud - excuse my questions in ignorance - I've only learned of LUFS existence due to Noel's thread and still learning DAW and mixing stuff as I go. I had wondered why my songs posted had different volumes on different sites. Do you aim for a LUFS target before checking with loudnesspenalty.com, or do you go by experience and feel and then just check it with loudnesspenalty.com before posting? If it's too loud, do you use a limiter on your master track final mix? If you do target LUFS, is it the 'integrated' measure, or do you use short range measure for the peak section of the track? Andrew
Firstly I try to adjust my limiter (final fx in my mastering chain) to leave plenty of dynamics including peaks that some folks would squash. We like open/airy mixes irrespective of the genre we are working with. Also we've learned to trust what we hear on our Kali monitors (8" woofer). I'll listen to the mix on the "big" living room system but nearly always go with what we heard on the monitors. And unlike many folks I never mix or master with headphones. I want a sound like I'm sitting in the center of the third row of a live band in a good hall.
I then use Logic Pro's Loudness Meter to look at the LUFS. Depending on the tune 10-12 integrated works for us. The 14 thing is not written in stone. And the 10-12 typically results in a file that is little altered by the platforms.
Like mixing, mastering is rarely "finished" ... just abandoned. One can parse things out until all the joy is sucked out of the process.
You will get many opinions on my process with a lot of folks saying all I typed above is dead wrong.
Oh one other thing I forgot. I frequently use a reference song. Meaning I'll listen to a similar tune that I think is well done several times during mixing and mastering. This is to keep the notion in my old brain of how I would like for the production to sound. Works for me.
A truckload of FWIWs and YMMV's.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
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These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
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Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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