Synthwave Mastering Guide
Exact LUFS targets, EQ profiles, and compression settings for mastering Synthwave music on every major streaming platform. From Spotify and Apple Music to Beatport and Audiomack.
Synthwave LUFS Targets on Every Platform
| Platform | LUFS Target | True Peak | Dynamic Range | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🟢Spotify | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
🍎Apple Music | -16 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
▶️YouTube | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
🌊Tidal | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
☁️SoundCloud | -11 LUFS | -0.5 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
🎵TikTok | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
🎧Audiomack | -13 LUFS | -0.5 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
🎛️Beatport | -9 LUFS | -0.3 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
🎨Bandcamp | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
📸Instagram / Reels | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
📦Amazon Music | -14 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU | |
🎶Deezer | -15 LUFS | -1 dBTP | 8-12 LU |
Synthwave EQ Profile Overview
Analog warmth: Boost 200 to 400 Hz for vintage synthesizer body and richness. Avoid high-passing above 40 Hz. Keep the 80s bass fullness intact.
80s kick character: Synthwave kick is rounder than modern genres. Boost 80 to 100 Hz for thump, NOT the modern 60 Hz sub-bass hit. The kick should feel vintage.
Gentle high-end: Gentle air at 12 kHz maximum. Synthwave intentionally avoids modern brightness. The aesthetic is warm analog, not digital clarity.
Tape saturation: Apply subtle master bus tape saturation (1 to 2%) to add harmonic content and vintage feel. This defines the synthwave aesthetic.
Synthwave Mastering FAQ
What LUFS for synthwave on Spotify?
Target -14 LUFS integrated. Synthwave benefits from a wider 8 to 12 LU dynamic range that preserves the vintage analog feel. Hard-limiting to -7 or -8 LUFS kills the warm dynamics that define the genre. And gets normalized down anyway.
How do I get authentic analog warmth in a synthwave master?
Apply tape saturation (1 to 2% harmonics) on the master bus before the limiter. Use an analog-style compressor emulation with slow attack and program-dependent release. Boost 200 to 400 Hz slightly for synthesizer body. The key is warmth without harshness. Synthwave should sound like a vintage recording, not a polished modern mix.
Does synthwave's analog aesthetic translate on Spotify?
Yes. The warmth frequencies (200 to 400 Hz) and analog saturation survive streaming compression on Spotify. The gentle high-end rolloff above 12 kHz also ensures the compressed format doesn't add harshness.