[MLA] Interesting info about Spotify normalization

[Grimm | Eelco]

Dear all,

> He also wrote that it should already be present in the current app. I updated my app to the brand new 8.4.43 but still don’t see the options. Maybe they’re not shown in the Spotify Free app? I check it with him. 

And indeed it is not yet implemented in the free app, due to the fact that not all advertisements appeared to be normalized and the occasional jump from -23 LUFS is then too large. They are working on it.

> The whole discussion triggered an idea that I shared with him. Let’s hope he gets enthusiastic and that we can get Apple and Google on board with it (I know it will be quite difficult…). It goes like this:
> 
> (…)
> 
> Let the Spotify app signal to the OS of the phone that normalization at -14 LUFS is engaged. The OS can then offer 3 dB extra gain to audio from the Spotify app and still comply with Cenelec. If the ref noise is played with normalization on, it will have a max of 100 dBA. If normalization is turned off, the OS will not offer the extra 3 dB headroom and again play at 100 dBA max. 
> 
> The beauty of the second method is that you may also choose a -23 LUFS target and still play equally loud as a non-normalized app…

I checked it with Buddy Judge of Apple and he wrote:

> I briefly mentioned your proposal to one of our engineers who works on dosimetry and loudness. He had pitched a very similar idea. I think we all agree that normalization metadata should have an API for 3rd party Apps.  This may already be on someone’s road map — I’m looking into it now. If not I will propose it…
> 
> More soon!

That sounds very encouraging! It would completely end all target level discussions. This way the Cenelec requirement is a blessing in disguise: if you don’t normalize you get 12 dB less headroom!! :-)

Fingers crossed…

Cheers,
Eelco