Loudness Meter

The Loudness Meter is an audio effect that measures the loudness of the audio. It does not change the audio.

What is Loudness

Loudness is the perceived volume of an audio recording. The audio meters in Premier Pro measure the peak or instantaneous audio levels. The Loudness Meter measures the average level over time which is a better way to evaluate the overall loudness of a mix.

Adding the Loudness Meter

The Loudness Meter is an audio effect available in Premiere Pro and Audition. It in only tool to measure the loudness level. It does not change the audio.

Premiere Pro

We need to add the effect to the Mix track fader in the Audio Track Mixer to measure the entire mix.

1. Go to Window > Audio Track Mixer
2. Click the Show/Hide Effects and Sends button (>) on the top left of the Audio Track Mixer
3. Go to the Mix Track fader and select the 5th insert slot
4. Go to Special > Loudness Meter
5. Double click the Loudness Meter to open the interface.

Audition

In a Multitrack Session the Loudness Meter can be added to the Mix Track fader in the Mixer.

1. Open a Multitrack Session
2. Go to Window > Mixer
3. Go to the Mix Track fader and select the last insert
4. Go to Special > Loudness Meter
5. The Loudness Meter interface should open

Using the Loudness Meter

Presets

Use the Presets menu to select a metering preset.

• ATSC A/85 LKFS
  • Target Loudness -24 LUFS
  • For broadcast
• YouTube
  • -14 LUFS
  • For YouTube

Interface

• Input: Indicates level of the audio signal that takes inter-sample peaks into account.
• Short-Term: Uses a sliding time window of 3 seconds, describing a more averaged, less event-dependent loudness of the past 3 seconds.
• Integrated: Averages the program from start to finish, describing the loudness of the whole program.
• Momentary: Uses a sliding time window of 400 ms, best describes the instantaneous loudness

Measuring Loudness

1. Play the project
2. Watch the Integrated level to measure the entire program
3. Watch the Short-Term level to get a 3 second average.
4. Keep the mix around the transition from green to yellow.

Additional Resources

• Measure audio using the Loudness Meter effect
  • Adobe Article
• Loudness Explained
  • T.C. Electronics article