Choose a delivery target before adjusting levels
Integrated loudness describes the overall programme level. True peak estimates peaks in the reconstructed waveform, including peaks between samples. Measure both, then listen for uneven speakers, distortion and distracting noise. Passing two measurements does not guarantee that a recording sounds good or meets every requirement of a distributor.
A useful podcast reference
Apple recommends approximately −16 LKFS with a tolerance of ±1 dB and true peaks no higher than −1 dBFS. LUFS and LKFS use the same loudness scale. Our Podcast preset uses −16 LUFS and a −1 dBTP ceiling.
Spotify's −14 LUFS documentation describes music normalization and includes exceptions for players and listening settings. It is not a universal podcast submission requirement. Do not assume that every platform will raise a quiet episode or turn down a loud one in the same way.
Need to change what you measured?
Explore podcast mastering for a finished spoken-word file, or podcast audio cleanup if noise and room sound are the first problem to solve.
Use the result as a level check
Browser measurements help you compare files with the selected target. Audiobook catalogue and broadcast presets are reference settings; confirm the specification supplied by your distributor. An ACX submission needs an RMS check and other checks this tool does not provide.
PodMaster cleans and masters spoken-word recordings. Listen to the delivered file and check its measurements against your destination before publication.
For the full walkthrough of targets and how to hit them in your own chain, read our guide: How loud should a podcast be?