Phonk Mastering Guide
Dark 808 slides, cowbell presence, dusty tape aesthetics
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. All Platforms
| Platform | LUFS Target | True Peak | Dynamic Range | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🟢Spotify | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
🍎Apple Music | -16 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
▶️YouTube | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
🌊Tidal | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
☁️SoundCloud | -11 LUFS | -0.5 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
🎵TikTok | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
🎧Audiomack | -13 LUFS | -0.5 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
🎛️Beatport | -9 LUFS | -0.3 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
🎨Bandcamp | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
📸Instagram / Reels | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
📦Amazon Music | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
🎶Deezer | -15 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 5-8 LU | Full spec → |
Phonk EQ Profile Overview
Core EQ principles for Phonk mastering. Platform-specific adjustments are in each guide below.
Sub-bass foundation: Heavy boost at 50 to 70 Hz for the signature 808 slide. High-pass below 30 Hz for rumble control.
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.
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.
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 AI Track Fixers
Generated your Phonk track with Suno, Udio, or another AI? Fix the specific artifacts.
Fix 5 common artifacts
Fix 5 common artifacts
Fix 5 common artifacts
Fix 5 common artifacts
Fix 5 common artifacts
Fix 5 common artifacts
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.
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