Loudness is a crucial aspect of audio production, especially for podcasting and audiobook narration. If your audio is too loud or too quiet, it can affect the listening experience and the quality of your content. In this article, we will explore some common loudness issues and solutions that you can apply to your audio projects.
Loudness is the perceived level of sound by the human ear. It is not the same as the peak level, which is the maximum amplitude of the sound wave. Loudness depends on factors such as frequency, duration, and dynamic range of the sound. To measure loudness, audio engineers use units called LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) or LKFS (Loudness K-weighted Full Scale), which are based on an international standard. The higher the LUFS or LKFS value, the louder the sound.
- Loudness, while measurable, can also be subjective; what is not too loud for one person may be too loud for someone else - I've only seen LUFS referenced from American and international audio engineers - As an audio professional, maintaining your hearing is key so make sure you are using safe audio levels in your work
Loudness is important for podcasting and audiobook production because it affects the listener's comfort and satisfaction. If your audio is too loud, it can cause distortion, clipping, and ear fatigue. If your audio is too quiet, it can be hard to hear, especially in noisy environments or with low-quality speakers or headphones. Additionally, different platforms and devices may have different loudness standards or normalization processes, which can alter the original level of your audio. Therefore, you want to make sure that your audio meets the recommended loudness targets for your intended medium and audience.
- Use the meters on your interface and DAW to make sure your audio levels are not too loud and not too quiet - While there are incredible developers with software that can help you fix and clean bad audio after the fact, best practice is to get it right at the source - If you are uploading to different platforms, make sure you are following the guidelines for audio levels and formats for each platform
When producing podcasts or audiobooks, you may come across loudness issues such as inconsistent levels, low loudness, or high loudness. Inconsistent loudness can be caused by variations in recording settings, microphone placement, vocal performance, background noise, or editing choices and can be fixed with a compressor, limiter, or loudness meter. Low loudness can be caused by recording at a low gain, using a low-sensitivity microphone, speaking too softly, or applying too much noise reduction or filtering and can be fixed with a gain, normalizer, or loudness meter. High loudness can be caused by recording at a high gain, using a high-sensitivity microphone, speaking too loudly, or applying too much compression or limiting and can be fixed with a gain, normalizer, or loudness meter. To ensure your audio meets your platform's recommended loudness target, use any of these tools to balance the loudness of your audio segments.
- Most DAWs come with great tools to help you address loudness issues - Look for "podcast presets" for your DAW; they could be built in or you can find some suggestions or plugin chains by doing a Google/YouTube search - Learn what these audio tools are (compressors, EQ, limiters) and how you can use mic placement to optimize the quality of the audio
What is the best loudness target for podcasting and audiobook production is not a definitive answer. Different platforms and devices may have different requirements or preferences. Generally, for podcasting, a loudness target of -16 LUFS or LKFS for stereo files and -19 LUFS or LKFS for mono files is recommended, based on the Podcast Loudness Standard proposed by the Podcast Engineering School. For audiobook production, a loudness target of -23 LUFS or LKFS for both stereo and mono files is suggested, according to the Audiobook Production Standard proposed by the Audio Publishers Association. Both standards have been adopted by many podcast hosting services, directories, distributors, and retailers.
- Confirm the LUFS loudness targets for the platforms you are uploading to - While unlikely, also be on the lookout for any changes platforms make for formats they will (or won't) accept
For measuring and adjusting the loudness of audio files, you need a software tool that can analyze and display the LUFS or LKFS values of your audio, as well as normalize loudness if needed. There are many options available, from free to paid, plugin to standalone, and simple to complex. For example, Youlean Loudness Meter is a free and easy-to-use plugin that works with most digital audio workstations (DAWs) and displays integrated, short-term, and momentary LUFS values. Auphonic is a powerful online service that automatically optimizes the loudness, level, noise, and quality of audio files. iZotope RX is a paid professional software suite with a module for Loudness Control that allows you to measure and adjust the loudness of audio files according to various standards. Additionally, RX can fix other audio issues such as clicks, pops, hums, hisses, plosives, sibilance, and more.
- iZotope RX is (basically) an industry standard suite of plugins for cleaning up and fixing audio; get it if you c - Google search free plugins you can use to clean and fix your audio - Download Youlean Loudness Meter! :)
- The best practice is to get the audio right at the source. Mic placement, quiet room, - Talk with someone who has a podcast or works in audio to ask them what they do or what they would do if they were you. Let's go!