Levels

Loudness

LUFS measures perceived level, weighted like the ear.

LUFS (ITU-R BS.1770) measures loudness: it weights the spectrum like the ear and integrates over time. Streaming platforms often normalise playback around a target value: a louder master is simply turned down.

The measurements Hearwise shows are computed on the game's clips and stay indicative: they pass EBU reference cases, but not every test has been run.

The game asks which programme seems loudest: compare the feeling, then check the measurement.

Listen for

Perceived level, regardless of peaks.
The effect of the lows, which weigh less in the measurement than in the physical feeling.

The classic mistake

Aiming for the loudest possible: after normalisation, a crushed master sounds flatter than the others.

Put it into practice

LUFS challenge · Discovery

LUFS challenge

The lesson is complete when the level is passed (35/50).