What are the best ways to measure audio quality in content creation?

1 Use a spectrum analyzer

A spectrum analyzer is a tool that displays the frequency spectrum of an audio signal, showing the amplitude and distribution of different frequency bands. A spectrum analyzer can help you identify and correct problems such as noise, distortion, clipping, or imbalance in your audio. You can use a spectrum analyzer to compare your audio with a reference track, or to adjust your equalization, compression, or filtering settings. There are many free or paid spectrum analyzers available online or as plugins for your audio software.

2 Listen to your audio on different devices

Another way to measure audio quality in content creation is to listen to your audio on different devices and environments. This can help you check how your audio sounds on various speakers, headphones, or earbuds, and how it adapts to different room acoustics, background noise, or audience preferences. You can use a tool like Audacity to export your audio in different formats and bitrates, and then play it on your smartphone, laptop, car stereo, or smart speaker. You can also ask for feedback from your friends, family, or colleagues who have different listening habits and tastes.

3 Use a loudness meter

A loudness meter is a tool that measures the perceived loudness of an audio signal, rather than the peak or RMS level. Loudness is influenced by factors such as frequency, duration, and dynamic range of the sound. A loudness meter can help you ensure that your audio meets the loudness standards of different platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify, or iTunes. These standards are expressed in LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) or LKFS (Loudness K-weighted relative to Full Scale), and vary depending on the type and purpose of your content. You can use a loudness meter to monitor and adjust your audio level, or to apply normalization or limiting if needed.

4 Use an audio quality assessment tool

An audio quality assessment tool is a tool that evaluates the quality of an audio signal based on objective or subjective criteria. Objective criteria are based on mathematical models and algorithms that measure the distortion, noise, or artifacts in the audio. Subjective criteria are based on human perception and preference, and often use ratings or scales to express the quality. An audio quality assessment tool can help you benchmark your audio against industry standards or best practices, or to test your audio quality before publishing or distributing it. There are many audio quality assessment tools available online or as plugins for your audio software, such as PEAQ, POLQA, or MOS.

5 Use your ears and common sense

Finally, the best way to measure audio quality in content creation is to use your ears and common sense. No tool or method can replace your own judgment and experience as a content creator. You know your audience, your goals, and your style better than anyone else. You should always listen to your audio critically and objectively, and ask yourself if it meets your expectations and requirements. You should also always strive to improve your audio quality by learning new skills, techniques, or tips, and by experimenting with different settings, formats, or effects.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?