House Mastering Guide
Exact LUFS targets, EQ profiles, and compression settings for mastering House music on every major streaming platform. From Spotify and Apple Music to Beatport and Audiomack.
House LUFS Targets on Every Platform
| Platform | LUFS Target | True Peak | Dynamic Range | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🟢Spotify | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
🍎Apple Music | -16 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
▶️YouTube | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
🌊Tidal | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
☁️SoundCloud | -11 LUFS | -0.5 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
🎵TikTok | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
🎧Audiomack | -13 LUFS | -0.5 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
🎛️Beatport | -9 LUFS | -0.3 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
🎨Bandcamp | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
📸Instagram / Reels | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
📦Amazon Music | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU | |
🎶Deezer | -15 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 6-10 LU |
House EQ Profile Overview
Four-on-the-floor kick: The house kick is sacred. Boost 80 to 100 Hz for the disco-heritage thump and 2 to 4 kHz for the click/attack. High-pass at 30 Hz.
Warm bassline: Deep, sustained house bassline at 60 to 100 Hz. Keep warm and controlled. House bass is melodic and supportive, not dominant like techno.
Piano and organ clarity: Classic house uses piano, organ, and gospel-influenced chords. Boost 2 to 5 kHz for melodic clarity above the kick and bass.
Sidechain groove: The kick-sidechain ducking pump defines house music's drive. It must survive mastering with 3 to 4 dB audible ducking on the bassline.
House Mastering FAQ
What LUFS for house music on Spotify?
Target -14 LUFS integrated. House benefits from a 6 to 10 LU dynamic range. Wide enough for the sidechain pump to be expressive and the kick to hit with impact.
How do I preserve the house sidechain pump through mastering?
The sidechain pump (kick-to-bass ducking) must be checked explicitly after mastering. Use a limiter with a program-dependent release that tracks the groove's tempo. If the pump is reduced, increase the sidechain amount in your mix before mastering. The pump should have 3 to 4 dB of audible movement.
Does the house kick translate on Spotify's playback?
The house kick at 80 to 100 Hz (body) and 2 to 4 kHz (click) translates well on Spotify. Ensure the kick remains the loudest transient in the master.