AudioGLOSSARY

LUFS — Loudness Units

01 — Definition

The perceptual loudness measurement standardised in ITU-R BS.1770: it weights frequency response like human hearing and integrates over time. Broadcast targets: −23 LUFS (EBU R128, Europe) or −24 LUFS (ATSC A/85, US); streaming platforms normalise to −14 LUFS. Where a peak meter sees only the instantaneous maximum, LUFS reflects how loud the content actually sounds.

02 — In the field

Mixing to −23 LUFS integrated keeps European broadcast happy without a limiter smashing the mix. Trust the integrated (long-term) value, not the momentary one: that bounces around and is not the delivery spec.