[MLA] Spotify limiter

[Robert Ludwig]

Indeed, Spotify uses limiting.
Just today I had a song that measured -13 LUFS and Sound Check brought it down -3dB while the Spotify version RAISED it +2dB.  I know for sure it was full scale on the -13LUFS version.

Both Adam and I agree, no limiting should ever be involved in loudness normalization.  

The odd 0.001% (guess!) of all program material that might contain overs from the track being raised, so be it.  That slow movement Beethoven Violin Sonata example I have that is all soft and then has 2 loud notes in the middle of it measures clipping for sure, but it doesn’t sound as bad as it looks!

Best,
Bob L.

> On May 3, 2017, at 3:35 PM, Ian Shepherd <ian at mastering-media.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> 
>> Spotify uses the ReplayGain algorithm for loudness measurement. It might help to finish the work to update ReplayGain to use BS.1770
> 
> If you can influence that in any way it would be fantastic, Kevin !
> 
>> I think Spotify actually uses a lower target level than YouTube. Lower target should help improve normalization.
> 
> Measurements show that YouTube’s overall level is approx. -13 LUFS, whereas Spotify’s is roughly -11 LUFS
> 
>> If limiting is in play, that complicates things. I don't think we advocate limiting as part of normalization
> 
> Limiting is certainly being used, a Spotify software engineer told me that years ago.
> 
> Ian
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