Loudness targets · Streaming
Deezer loudness target: −15 LUFS
Deezer's playback reference is about −15 LUFS integrated, sitting between Spotify at −14 and Apple Music at −16. One dB isn't worth a separate master, but it's worth knowing where your track lands.
What Deezer does with your master
Deezer normalizes playback towards about −15 LUFS integrated. A master louder than that is turned down by the difference. A −9 LUFS master plays about 6 dB quieter than you sent it; a −14 LUFS master, sitting right on Spotify's reference, plays about 1 dB quieter on Deezer.
Deezer's reference sits in the middle of the music streaming table. That makes it a useful reminder that "−14 LUFS" isn't a universal streaming number. The references in MixOutpost's list span −14 to −16 LUFS, a 2 dB spread for the same file.
What 1 dB does and doesn't mean
It's tempting to read every target as a number to hit. With normalization, that's the wrong frame. The reference tells you the level the service plays at. Your master's integrated loudness tells you how far it will move to get there.
- A −15 LUFS master plays unchanged on Deezer, about 1 dB quieter on Apple Music, and up to about 1 dB louder on Spotify, which can raise quieter tracks if their peaks allow.
- A −8 LUFS master is turned down about 7 dB on Deezer, 6 dB on Spotify and 8 dB on Apple Music. The limiting that made it loud doesn't come back.
So you don't need a "Deezer master". You need to know your integrated loudness, and you need to be happy with how the mix sounds when it's turned down by the difference.
What to aim for
- Measure integrated loudness over the whole track, not a loud chorus or a short loop.
- Keep true peak at or below −1 dBTP, with more headroom for loud masters. Lossy playback can push peaks above your file's.
- Pick a loudness for the music, then check the turn-downs. If they're all a few dB, the master will play much like everything else on every service.
Targets change
Deezer publishes less about its normalization than some services, and details such as listener settings can change. The −15 LUFS figure here matches the Deezer target built into MixOutpost at the time of writing. Check Deezer's current guidance before a critical release.
Checking Deezer loudness with MixOutpost
MixOutpost measures on your iPhone from exactly what your Mac sends, while the session plays. No bounce, no upload.
- 01
Stream your master bus
Insert the MixOutpost plugin last on the master and press Start Sharing. Pair your iPhone once with a QR code.
- 02
Open Loudness and pick Deezer
You'll see momentary, short-term and integrated LUFS, LRA, true peak and maxima. With Deezer selected, the app shows how many dB Deezer would turn the track down.
- 03
Flip between services
After a full play-through, switch the target between Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music. The turn-down changes by 1 dB each step. Readings are taken before Listen as, Dim, Mute or phone volume.
Deezer compared with other services
| Service | Integrated | True peak |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Apple Music | −16 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| YouTube | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Amazon Music | −14 LUFS | −2 dBTP |
| Tidal | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Deezer | −15 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
See every target, including TV, film and podcasts, on the loudness targets page.
Questions
What LUFS does Deezer normalize to?
About −15 LUFS integrated. That's the figure MixOutpost uses for Deezer. A louder master is turned down by the difference.
Should I master to −15 LUFS for Deezer?
There's no need. One master for every service is normal, and a 1 dB difference in playback reference is small. Know your integrated loudness and you know the turn-down on each service.
Is a 1 dB difference audible?
In a direct level-matched comparison, often yes. Between songs in a playlist, with normalization evening things out, it's hard to notice. What it changes is how much limiting pays off: on Deezer, a master louder than −15 LUFS gains nothing in playback level.
What true peak should I use for Deezer?
Keep true peak at or below −1 dBTP, like most streaming services. Lossy encoding can create peaks above your master's, so loud masters benefit from more headroom.
Hear your mix on your phone
Free Mac plugin (AU, VST3) and iPhone app. Lossless, bit-exact and encrypted.