10MM 171 - Loudness Explored - Features

How ‘loud’ a track is mastered is crucial – but what does the term really mean and how do we perceive it? Grant Bridgeman turns it up.

Loudness is a commonly used term, but what does it actually mean? How do the levels we see on our meters translate into how loud we perceive a sound to be? The rapid response of digital metering may give us accurate measurements of the peaks in digital waveforms, but this doesn’t necessarily tie in with how loud we hear things or how loud our mixes are, because loudness is not only about peaks.

This feature first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 85
Filed under Home, Ten Minute Masters, Features

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10MM 171 - Loudness Explored

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