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🟢 Spotify Mastering Spec

Lo-Fi Mastering for Spotify

-14 LUFS · -1 dBTP true peak · 12-16 LU dynamic range

CA
Reviewed by Collins Asein · April 2026

The exact LUFS target, EQ profile, and compression settings for mastering Lo-Fi music specifically for Spotify — based on Spotify's normalization algorithm and Lo-Fi's sonic character.

Integrated LUFS
-14 LUFS
True Peak
-1 dBTP
Dynamic Range
12-16 LU

How Spotify Handles Lo-Fi Audio

Spotify normalizes to -14 LUFS. Louder masters are turned down — not up. Do not over-limit to -8 LUFS; you lose dynamics with no loudness gain.

Lo-Fi EQ Profile for Spotify

EQ 01

Lo-fi character: Apply gentle vinyl crackle or tape saturation BEFORE the master limiter.

EQ 02

Warmth: Boost 80–200 Hz for vintage warmth. Roll off aggressively above 12 kHz for the 'old record' effect.

EQ 03

Low-end: Tight high-pass at 50 Hz. Lo-fi doesn't need sub-bass — keep it simple.

EQ 04

No brightness: Do NOT boost high frequencies. Lo-fi intentionally lacks 'air' — brightness destroys the aesthetic.

Compression & Limiting for Spotify

01

Soft limiting: Lo-fi should breathe at -16 to -18 LUFS — do NOT push hard. The quietness IS the aesthetic.

02

Tape saturation: Apply subtle harmonic saturation to glue the mix. This is character, not correction.

03

Vinyl simulation: Add subtle wow/flutter effect if your mastering chain supports it.

Lo-Fi LUFS Targets — All Platforms Compared

How Lo-Fi mastering specs differ across every major streaming platform.

PlatformIntegrated LUFSTrue PeakCurrent page
🟢Spotify
-14 LUFS-1 dBTPYou are here
-16 LUFS-1 dBTPView guide →
▶️YouTube
-14 LUFS-1 dBTPView guide →
🌊Tidal
-14 LUFS-1 dBTPView guide →
-11 LUFS-0.5 dBTPView guide →
🎵TikTok
-14 LUFS-1 dBTPView guide →
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Lo-Fi Mastering FAQ — Spotify

What LUFS for lo-fi on Spotify?

-14 LUFS is the target, but lo-fi typically masters at -16 to -18 LUFS intentionally. Spotify will not boost it — the quietness is part of the aesthetic and listeners expect it.

Should I remove the vinyl crackle before mastering?

No — vinyl crackle and tape hiss are intentional lo-fi elements. Apply them before mastering so they're baked into the final file. The master limiter then treats them as part of the signal, preserving the authentic texture.

How do I keep lo-fi warm without making it muddy?

Boost 100–200 Hz for warmth, but apply a tight high-pass at 50 Hz to remove rumble. Cut 300–400 Hz by 2–3 dB to reduce muddiness if needed. The warmth should come from midrange saturation, not low-frequency buildup.

Lo-Fi Mastering for Other Platforms

Other Genres on Spotify

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