Platforms normalize audio automatically, which overrides your export levels if you miss their targets.
Platform LUFS Requirements
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak Max | Processing Applied |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | -14 LUFS | -1.0 dBTP | Limiter + compression |
| -14 LUFS | -2.0 dBTP | Limiter only | |
| YouTube | -14 LUFS | -1.0 dBTP | Volume reduction only |
| -16 LUFS | -2.0 dBTP | Compression + EQ |
Why Exceeding Targets Destroys Mix Quality
Audio exported louder than platform targets gets compressed or limited after upload. TikTok applies aggressive makeup gain that introduces 3-6 dB of compression on dialogue peaks, making voices sound crushed. Instagram simply reduces volume, which lowers your content below competitor videos. Targeting -14 LUFS during export prevents both problems.
Dynamic Range Considerations
Social media playback happens in noisy environments where dynamic range gets lost. Compress your mix to 6-9 dB dynamic range maximum before normalization. This is significantly less than the 12-18 dB range used for cinema or streaming platforms, but necessary for content consumed on buses, in offices, and on streets where ambient noise sits at 65-72 dB SPL.
Music vs Dialogue Level Balance
Background music should sit 12-18 dB below dialogue for clear speech intelligibility on phone speakers. This ratio feels wrong on studio monitors but translates correctly to mobile playback where speaker frequency response drops below 200 Hz and peaks around 3-4 kHz.