SoundCloud Loudness Target

Recommended Tools

About this Target

SoundCloud now normalizes to -14 LUFS.

SoundCloud historically did not normalize audio, but currently utilizes a -14 LUFS target similar to other major streaming platforms. Audio louder than this target is attenuated. Because SoundCloud often utilizes 128kbps MP3 or Opus for streaming, it is notoriously prone to transcoding distortion. Adhering to a True Peak ceiling of -1 dBTP (or -2 dBTP) is highly recommended to prevent crunchiness in the high-end.

Metering for SoundCloud

Target an Integrated loudness of -14 LUFS. However, pay special attention to True Peak metering. SoundCloud's encoding is less forgiving than other platforms; pushing the ceiling too close to 0 dBTP will almost certainly result in audible artifacts on the final stream.

Monitoring both Momentary and Integrated LUFS helps ensure your audio consistently meets the SoundCloud 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 -14 LUFS, indicating compliance with the SoundCloud 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 SoundCloud 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 SoundCloud preset in the Target Range. This sets the compressor's target to -14 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 SoundCloud.

Simply select the SoundCloud target range preset. This configures the limiter ceilings to -14 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 SoundCloud target in one pass.

This tool provides the highest accuracy as it can "see" the entire file before processing. Select the SoundCloud target range preset to quickly set the target loudness to exactly -14 LUFS and -1 dBTP, and the Optimizer will calculate the precise gain adjustments needed to achieve compliance while maintaining dynamic integrity.