File failed QC: Audio Loudness

If your QC report shows Audio Loudness in red, the average loudness of your ad is too high or too low.

Audio Loudness – reading the QC report

• The value next to Audio Loudness is the average loudness of the uploaded file, not the required loudness. For example, -24.000 means the file measures -24 LUFS.
• LUFS and LKFS are the same scale. Some countries' specs use one name and some use the other.
• To check the loudness your ad needs, and how much it can vary, see Which technical specification should I use for my ad?

Audio Loudness – what it means

Audio Loudness is the average (integrated) loudness measured across the whole ad. Unlike a peak measurement, it doesn't matter if some parts are loud and others quiet, as long as the average is within the accepted range.

The QC measures loudness to the EBU R128 standard.

• Most PAL countries use -23 LUFS (±0.5 LU).
• Most NTSC countries, as well as Italy, Australia and New Zealand, use -24 LKFS.

Always check View Specs for the exact target for your ad.

Audio Loudness – likely cause

This is usually a file fault. Common causes:

• The mix wasn't normalised to the loudness target for the destination country.
• The mix was made for a different country, whose target is different.
• The level was changed after the final mix, for example on export.

Audio Loudness – fix

1. Click View Specs on your ad to see the loudness your file needs.
2. Measure the mix with a loudness meter (EBU R128 / ITU BS.1770), and adjust the overall level until it's on target.
3. If you raise the level, check that peaks still pass (see Max Peak and Max True Peak).
4. Re-export using the matching Export Guide and upload the file again.

Audio Loudness – when to contact Customer Success

• You’ve exported the file using the specification shown by the View Specs link for the ad in your campaign, but it still fails this check.