ANSWER · PUBLISHING
Does Spotify Normalize Volume?
Yes. Spotify normalises playback to about -14 LUFS integrated by default, the setting it calls Normal. The Quiet setting targets about -19 LUFS and Loud about -11 LUFS. Tracks mastered louder than the target are turned down; quieter tracks are turned up as far as their peaks allow, and on Loud a limiter is engaged.
Spotify's published guidance
Spotify is unusually clear about its normalisation. Its guidance for artists states that tracks are played at -14 LUFS integrated on the default setting, and recommends mastering with a true-peak ceiling of -1 dBTP. For tracks that will be louder than -14 LUFS, it recommends a ceiling of -2 dBTP so that the lossy encode has headroom. It also explains that the Loud setting applies a limiter to raise quiet material to -11 LUFS, which can affect dynamics.
Albums are normalised as a whole so the intended level differences between tracks are preserved. Shuffle and playlists normalise track by track.
What this means for a club master
A club master at -8 LUFS is turned down about 6 dB on Spotify's default. It is not louder than a competitor's -14 LUFS master; both play at -14. What the club master gives up is dynamic range, because it was limited harder to reach -8. For a release that will live on streaming, engineers therefore master a separate version around -14 LUFS with the same balance and less limiting.
If a track is primarily for DJs and Spotify is secondary, uploading the club master is acceptable. It will simply be turned down.
Settings at a glance
| Spotify setting | Target | Behaviour on loud tracks | Behaviour on quiet tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet | about -19 LUFS | Turned down | Turned up to the ceiling |
| Normal (default) | about -14 LUFS | Turned down | Turned up, no limiting past peaks |
| Loud | about -11 LUFS | Turned down slightly | Turned up with a limiter |
Recommended delivery
- Integrated loudness around -14 LUFS for a streaming master.
- True peak at -1 dBTP, or -2 dBTP if the master is louder than -14.
- Lossless WAV or FLAC upload through a distributor; Spotify transcodes to Ogg Vorbis and AAC.
- Keep the club master as a separate file for DJs.
How Club Ready Music fits
Club Ready Music masters to -8 LUFS by default because its tracks are built for DJs. For a Spotify version, choose the Streaming -14 preset in the Studio's Master and export section before rendering, or type -14. The true-peak ceiling is -1 dBTP in every case. The WAV 24-bit 48 kHz export is the file to send to a distributor; the MP3 320 is for sharing and DJ use. DJ edits of uploaded songs accept the same loudness setting, but remember that a DJ edit of someone else's song is not yours to distribute.
Frequently asked
Can listeners turn Spotify normalisation off?
Yes. Premium listeners can disable it in playback settings, and choose Quiet, Normal or Loud. Most listeners leave the default on, so master for the default.
Does Spotify make quiet tracks louder?
On the Normal setting it applies positive gain to quiet tracks but never past the point where peaks would clip. On the Loud setting it adds a limiter to reach the target.