Integrated LUFS, or Loudness Units relative to Full Scale, is a measurement of the perceived loudness of audio content. It is used in audio post-production for film, television, and video games to ensure that the perceived loudness is consistent across different pieces of content. This is important because without a consistent loudness level, viewers and listeners would have to constantly adjust their volume levels, which can be both annoying and fatiguing.
The Integrated LUFS measurement is based on the loudness of the entire audio content, rather than just a single peak or average level. This is important because it takes into account the entire dynamic range of the audio, including both the loudest and quietest parts. The measurement is then standardized, so that different pieces of content can be compared and matched to a specific loudness level.
In contrast, the average loudness of a song is a measurement of the overall loudness of the song, but it doesn't take into account the entire dynamic range. This measurement is based on the average loudness of all the samples in the audio content, and it does not provide a complete picture of the perceived loudness of the audio.
When it comes to streaming services, they each employ proprietary loudness normalization systems to ensure that the perceived loudness is consistent from one song to the next. These systems analyze the loudness of each song and then adjust the loudness to a standardized level. This ensures that listeners don't have to constantly adjust their volume levels and can enjoy a consistent listening experience.
The exact Integrated LUFS, or Loudness Units relative to Full Scale, for different genres of film, TV, video games, and music can vary depending on the specific standard or recommendation being used. However, some common standards and recommendations include:
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The EBU R128 standard, which is widely used in Europe, recommends a target loudness level of -23 LUFS for program audio and -18 LUFS for commercials.
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The ATSC A/85 standard, which is used in the United States for broadcast television, recommends a target loudness level of -24 LKFS (which is equivalent to -23 LUFS) for program audio and -20 LKFS (which is equivalent to -19 LUFS) for commercials.
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The ITU-R BS.1770-4 standard, which is used in many countries worldwide, recommends a target loudness level of -23 LUFS for program audio and -20 LUFS for commercials.
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The Netflix and Amazon streaming services have their own standard, which recommends a target loudness level of -27 LUFS for program audio.
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For Music, the integrated loudness of a track should be around -14 LUFS.
It's worth noting that these standards and recommendations are subject to change over time and may vary depending on the specific context or application. Additionally, different platforms, streaming services, and broadcast stations may have their own internal standards, which may be different from the standards listed above.
In conclusion, The Integrated LUFS, or Loudness Units relative to Full Scale, for different genres of film, TV, video games, and music can vary depending on the standard or recommendation being used. The Integrated loudness of a track should be around -14 LUFS for music, and for program audio, it should be around -23 LUFS for the EBU R128 standard, -24 LKFS for ATSC A/85, -23 LUFS for ITU-R BS.1770-4 and -27 LUFS for streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.
LUFS is an important measurement for audio post-production in film, television, and video games. It ensures that the perceived loudness of audio content is consistent across different pieces of content. This is important because without a consistent loudness level, viewers and listeners would have to constantly adjust their volume levels. Streaming services also employ proprietary loudness normalization systems to ensure that the perceived loudness is consistent from one song to the next, making the listening experience more pleasant for the audience.