Why louder is not automatically better
Platforms normalise to an integrated loudness target, usually quoted in LUFS. Pushing a master too hot mostly adds distortion; the algorithm turns it back down. At Mordancyedge mastering starts at €78 per song; an album up to twelve tracks is €335. Deposit for bookings is 30 percent of the quoted total.
We aim for translation on earbuds on the tram to Wibautstraat and on monitors in the control room — metering supports ears, not a loudest-meter contest. When level feels borderline, we can print an alternate master so you can decide at home.
Typical platform targets
Spotify often lands near −14 LUFS integrated for many tracks; Apple Music near −16 LUFS with stricter true-peak rules. YouTube is commonly around −14 LUFS. Numbers shift; we measure against current specs at delivery time.
| Context | Direction |
|---|---|
| Pop/rock single | Integrated roughly −14 to −11 LUFS depending on dynamics |
| Acoustic/jazz | More headroom, lighter limiting |
| Spoken word | Steadier level — see podcast room guide |
True peak and headroom
After lossy encoding (AAC, Ogg), intersample peaks can exceed 0 dBFS. We keep true peak safely below 0 dBFS, often −1 dBTP or tighter for picky distributors. That avoids clicks on cheap DACs and phone speakers.
If you print your own mix, leave −3 to −6 dBFS peak before mastering. Brick-walled mixes leave little room for transients in the master.
From mix to master at Mordancyedge
Send stereo WAV 24-bit without a limiter on the master bus unless that is your sound. List reference tracks and whether you need vinyl or digital only. We deliver formats distributors in the Netherlands accept; ISRC and metadata stay with your aggregator.
2 revision rounds apply where stated; an extra master revision is €35. Questions: [email protected] within 2 business days.
Measuring LUFS at home
Use a LUFS meter on the master bus and read integrated loudness across the full song, not short bursts. Short-term meters lie on quiet intros or long outros.
Do not trust numbers alone: A/B at matched gain. One LUFS difference can feel larger than the digits suggest.
Measure in a quiet room; open windows near busy streets mask small details. Headphones plus one trusted speaker pair beat a single Bluetooth box for decisions.
Dynamics and genre
A piano ballad needs different treatment than an EDM drop. Over-limiting makes streams flat and tiring. We keep punch where possible and leave air in quiet sections. Vinyl or cassette plans sometimes need different peak choices; mention that when you upload.
Arrangement fixes belong in the mix — mastering is not a remix tool. Stem rules live in deliver stems for mixing.
Rights, metadata and delivery
Master files are not a contract: copyright stays with you unless agreed otherwise in terms and conditions. Projects stay in archive for 24 months; request copies before you switch distributors.
Recording plus master? See services and book via contact. Invoices include VAT at 21 percent as quoted. Session files remain in our archive for 24 months unless you request early deletion under privacy policy.
Quick summary
- Target platform-appropriate integrated LUFS, not the hottest meter
- Watch true peak for encoding
- Print mixes with headroom and clear references
- Check several speakers, not only numbers
Still tracking vocals? Read vocal warm-up and book Vocal recording if you need takes first.
