Why does my master distort after uploading to streaming platforms?
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Distortion on streaming platforms is usually caused by 'inter-sample peaks' created during the conversion from high-quality WAV files to compressed formats like OGG or AAC. When a master is pushed too close to 0.0 dBFS, the data compression process often pushes peaks above the digital ceiling, resulting in audible clipping.
- 1.Lower your output ceiling to -1.0 dB (or -2.0 dB for very loud masters) to provide headroom for the lossy encoding process (MP3/OGG/AAC).
- 2.Aim for an integrated loudness between -14 LUFS and -9 LUFS to prevent the platform's normalization algorithms from aggressively limiting your audio.
- 3.Check for 'True Peak' clipping using a specialized meter, as standard peak meters may miss hidden 'inter-sample' peaks that cause distortion after conversion.
- ×Avoid mastering to 0.0 dB; it leaves no room for codec artifacts.
- ×Do not over-compress the dynamic range, as 'brickwalled' masters suffer more noticeably from conversion distortion.
- ×Be wary of 'Loudness Normalization' settings on Spotify and Apple Music, which can alter the perception of your mix.
Always check your 'True Peak' levels, not just your sample peaks. Inter-sample peaks occur when the reconstructed analog wave exceeds 0dB even if the digital samples don't, which is a primary cause of distortion during conversion.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
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