Phonk Mastering Guide

Exact LUFS targets, EQ profiles, and compression settings for mastering Phonk music on every major streaming platform. From Spotify and Apple Music to Beatport and Audiomack.

Phonk LUFS Targets on Every Platform

PlatformLUFS TargetTrue PeakDynamic RangeFull Guide
🟢Spotify
-14 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
🍎Apple Music
-16 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
▶️YouTube
-14 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
🌊Tidal
-14 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
☁️SoundCloud
-11 LUFS-0.5 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
🎵TikTok
-14 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
🎧Audiomack
-13 LUFS-0.5 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
🎛️Beatport
-9 LUFS-0.3 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
🎨Bandcamp
-14 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
📸Instagram / Reels
-14 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
📦Amazon Music
-14 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →
🎶Deezer
-15 LUFS-1 dBTP5-8 LUFull spec →

Phonk EQ Profile Overview

EQ 01

Sub-bass foundation: Heavy boost at 50 to 70 Hz for the signature 808 slide. High-pass below 30 Hz for rumble control.

EQ 02

Cowbell presence: Boost 4 to 6 kHz by 3 to 4 dB for the iconic phonk cowbell cut-through. This is the most important frequency for genre recognition.

EQ 03

Vocal grit: Subtle saturation in the 200 to 800 Hz range adds the dusty tape character. Do not clean up the lo-fi edge. It is intentional.

EQ 04

High-end rolloff: Hard shelving cut above 8 to 10 kHz for the dark tape-saturated aesthetic. Phonk must NOT sound modern or bright.

Phonk Mastering. Platform Guides

Phonk Mastering FAQ

What LUFS for phonk on Spotify?

Target -14 LUFS integrated for Spotify. Phonk benefits from a dense 5 to 8 LU dynamic range. The compressed, saturated sound is part of the aesthetic.

How do I get the 808 slide to hit in phonk mastering?

Boost 50 to 70 Hz for the 808 body and ensure the low-end is mono below 80 Hz. The sidechain pump between the kick and 808 must survive mastering. Check it explicitly before finalizing. Use True Peak limiting to prevent inter-sample clipping on the 808 slide.

How do I keep the cowbell cutting through on Spotify?

Boost 4 to 6 kHz by 3 to 4 dB on the master bus. The cowbell is the signature element of phonk. If it disappears in the master, the genre identity is lost. Check mono compatibility. The cowbell's stereo position should remain clear.

Other Genre Mastering Guides