Podcast (Stereo) Loudness Target

Recommended Tools

About this Target

Derived from Apple Podcasts recommendations and AES d75.

For stereo podcasts, -16 LUFS is the widely accepted industry guideline, derived from Apple Podcasts recommendations and AES guidelines. This target ensures that speech is intelligible and consistent with other voice-based media. Unlike music, where density varies, podcast consistency is key for listener comfort over long durations.

Guide: Loudness Leveler

The APU Loudness Leveler is a strong fit when you want to hold a program close to the Podcast (Stereo) target continuously rather than force it there with conventional compression or hard limiting. Instead of mapping one loudness range onto another, the Leveler follows a target zone in real time and applies correction only when the program drifts away from where you want it.

A practical starting point is to load a Leveling - Present or Leveling - Deep preset, then select the Podcast (Stereo) target range preset to initialize the target loudness and limiter ceiling. From there, adjust Target Tolerance to control how tightly the audio is held around -16 LUFS. Present tends to work well for general-purpose material, while Deep is useful when you want the correction to follow the larger contour of the audio instead of every phrase-level change.

The built-in Tail Guard mode helps prevent the leveler from amplifying breaths and other relatively quiet moments at the end of phrases, which can lead to a more natural sound. When Tail Guard is enabled, the leveler holds gain correction during these moments, allowing them to sit more naturally in the mix.

The built-in limiter then handles final peak containment at -1 dBTP, which makes the Leveler especially useful for podcasts, dialog-heavy material, streams, and other sources that benefit from steady loudness tracking instead of obvious peak chopping.

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 Podcast (Stereo) 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 Podcast (Stereo) 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 Podcast (Stereo).

Simply select the Podcast (Stereo) 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 Podcast (Stereo) target in one pass.

This tool provides the highest accuracy as it can "see" the entire file before processing. Select the Podcast (Stereo) 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.

Metering for Podcast (Stereo)

Consistency is king for podcasts. While the Integrated target is -16 LUFS, you should also monitor the Loudness Range (LRA). A lower LRA indicates consistent speech levels, which is desirable for listeners in noisy environments (like cars or public transit).

Monitoring both Momentary and Integrated LUFS helps ensure your audio consistently meets the Podcast (Stereo) 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 Podcast (Stereo) target. The statistics panel gives quick access to Integrated LUFS, LRA and other metrics.