Apple Music Loudness Target

Recommended Tools

About this Target

Apple Music (Sound Check) targets -16 LUFS.

Apple Music uses a proprietary system known as 'Sound Check' to normalize playback volume. The target level is approximately -16 LUFS. While Apple Music converts files to AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) for streaming, they accept high-resolution ALAC uploads. Because the AAC conversion process can introduce inter-sample peaks, leaving at least 1 dB of True Peak headroom is critical to prevent clipping artifacts on user devices.

Metering for Apple Music

Apple's Sound Check is roughly equivalent to -16 LUFS. Because this is quieter than other streaming services, you have more headroom for transient detail. Metering for -16 LUFS allows you to preserve more dynamic range (PLR) than a hotter -14 LUFS master.

Monitoring both Momentary and Integrated LUFS helps ensure your audio consistently meets the Apple Music loudness target. The APU Loudness Meter provides real-time feedback on your audio's loudness levels, allowing you to make informed adjustments during the mastering process.

In the screenshots below, we can see the Momentary LUFS meter hovering around the target of -16 LUFS, indicating compliance with the Apple Music target. The statistics panel gives quick access to Integrated LUFS, LRA and other metrics.

Guide: Loudness Compressor

The APU Loudness Compressor is a complete loudness solution that combines dynamic range control with a built-in True Peak limiter. This allows you to achieve the Apple Music target by increasing density and "glue" rather than just chopping off peaks.

Workflow:
1. Use the Source Range "Learn" function to automatically detect the dynamic range of your input audio. This function utilizes the LRA algorithm to determine the optimal source range for compression/expansion.
2. Select the Apple Music preset in the Target Range. This sets the compressor's target to -16 LUFS and the limiter ceiling to -1 dBTP.

Note: Hold Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) and click + drag the middle of the target range slider up or down to expand or contract the target range around the center point. Great for maintaining a consistent loudness target while adjusting dynamic range.

Guide: Loudness Limiter

For the most direct path to compliance, the APU Loudness Limiter can be used as a standalone maximizing solution. It simultaneously targets the specific LUFS loudness and True Peak limit required by Apple Music.

Simply select the Apple Music target range preset. This configures the limiter ceilings to -16 LUFS and -1 dBTP. Drive the input gain until the momentary LUFS meter stabilizes around the target. The limiter's transparent lookahead algorithm ensures the audio never exceeds the allowable True Peak level while also enforcing a soft ceiling on the momentary loudness.

Soften up the limiter some more by switching to Short term loudness mode for a slower, more musical response. Short term is based on a 3 second average and is less sensitive to transient spikes, making it ideal for transparent music mastering.

Guide: Dynamics Optimizer

If you prefer an automated, offline approach, the APU Dynamics Optimizer analyzes your entire audio file and applies optimal normalization and limiting to meet the Apple Music target in one pass.

This tool provides the highest accuracy as it can "see" the entire file before processing. Select the Apple Music target range preset to quickly set the target loudness to exactly -16 LUFS and -1 dBTP, and the Optimizer will calculate the precise gain adjustments needed to achieve compliance while maintaining dynamic integrity.