Integrated Loudness -16 LUFS
True Peak Max -1 dBTP

About this Target

Apple leaves mastering loudness to artistic and technical judgment; -16 LUFS is a working Sound Check playback reference, not an Apple delivery target.

Apple Digital Masters guidance says mastering loudness is an artistic and technical choice. Sound Check can normalize playback, while Apple's production guidance emphasizes auditioning encoded results and leaving headroom to avoid clipping. This page uses -16 LUFS Integrated and -1 dBTP as a useful Sound Check comparison reference without presenting it as an official submission requirement.

Reference type: Working playback reference

Guide: Loudness Leveler

Load the Mastering - Apple Music Reference (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn over the complete program to lock the final correction.

Adjust Target Tolerance for the amount of movement you want around -16 LUFS, then use the built-in limiter for the -1 dBTP ceiling.

APU Loudness Leveler showing Apple Music target at -16 LUFS
Fig 1. Real-time Apple Music target tracking using APU Loudness Leveler.

Guide: Loudness Compressor

Workflow:
1. Load the Mastering - Apple Music Reference (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category.
2. To have the compression range follow your material, use Source Range Learn while playing the complete program.
3. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn in the Limiter tab over the complete program.

APU Loudness Compressor showing Apple Music target at -16 LUFS
Fig 2. Real-time Apple Music LUFS targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.
APU Loudness Compressor showing Apple Music target at -1 dBTP
Fig 3. Real-time Apple Music dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.

Guide: Loudness Limiter

Load the Mastering - Apple Music Reference Ceiling (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category. It configures both ceilings. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn over the complete program.

APU Loudness Limiter showing Apple Music target at -16 LUFS
Fig 4. Real-time Apple Music LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Limiter.

Guide: Dynamics Optimizer

Load the Mastering - Apple Music Reference (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category, open the complete file, then analyze and optimize it. Review the result, then measure the exported file before delivery.

APU Dynamics Optimizer showing Apple Music target at -16 LUFS
Fig 5. Offline Apple Music LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Dynamics Optimizer.

Metering for Apple Music

Measure complete-track Integrated LUFS and linked Maximum True Peak, audition encoded derivatives, and preserve headroom. Use -16 LUFS to compare likely Sound Check behavior rather than to replace artistic mastering decisions.

Load the QC - Apple Music Reference (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category. It configures the target range, True Peak threshold, Short-term history, and Integrated output for this reference.

APU Loudness Meter showing Apple Music target at -16 LUFS
Fig 6. Real-time metering of the Apple Music reference using APU Loudness Meter.

Sources

Platform behavior and delivery requirements can change. Check the linked source and the destination's current specification before final delivery.