I think when one reads the articles and there are many of them, as Bob (90dB) says you mix and master as best you can. Then send the “high end” wav master to Soundcloud and let them convert it to whatever they use. If someone wishes to download the file it will be downloaded in the format it was uploaded (if I understood correctly).

A lot of the other platforms restrict loudness therefore mix and master as best you can within those parameters. Avoid clipping and make the mix as clean as possible (avoiding unwanted distortion or artefacts).

Tony


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