Understanding the Loudness War

Introduction

• Audio in music and videos is increasingly becoming louder.
• Public spaces are particularly affected by noisy audio.
• The phenomenon known as the "Loudness War" is at play, significantly impacting audio quality.

The Loudness War Explained

• Not Physical Loudness: Affects how audio and video files are produced, making content stand out.
• Decibels (dB) vs. LUFS: Decibels gauge sound amplitude (0 dB max), while LUFS considers average loudness and human hearing sensitivity.

Evolution and Effects

• Historical Context: Dating back to the vinyl era, the Loudness War has progressed through cassette tapes and CDs.
• Why It Matters: Louder content can seem more exciting, influencing consumer choice, leading to industry-wide practices.
• Impact on Quality: Excessive loudness and compression reduce dynamic range, leading to loss of depth and detail.

Current Industry Practices

• Streaming Platforms: Many now enforce loudness standards (e.g., Netflix: -27 LUFS, Spotify: -14 LUFS) to curb the Loudness War.
• Loudness in Short Videos: Tends to exceed recommended levels, with some content exceeding -10 LUFS.

Recommendations and Tools

• Set Appropriate Levels: Aim for -16 to -24 LUFS to balance loudness with dynamic quality.
• Use of Software: Tools like Youlean Loudness Meter can measure LUFS in real-time for better oversight.
• Normalization: Platforms now often normalize audio, reducing the impact of the Loudness War.

Conclusion

• Avoid excessively high loudness for little benefit with updated streaming standards.
• Strive for better listening experiences with balanced loudness and dynamics.
• Share insights with video and music production peers to foster higher-quality audio content.

Consider following loudness standards and using tools like Youlean Loudness Meter to create well-balanced audio for music and video production.