How to Set Video LOUDNESS in Premiere Pro

[@rowangallagher]

Skip to 2:43 for the actual guide

[@rowangallagher]

And let me follow up with a thank you 😘

[@OliverJHughes]

Hey thank you! These days I get right to the point so I always appreciate comments like this

[@ronstewtsaw]

I have been giving myself a crash course in video making (I am a college tech instructor, and we're online due to covid this fall). Every week I learn that there is some important aspect of video making that I need to learn. Last week it was lighting. This week it is audio. I will need to spend some time with your videos. This one is clear, to the point, and just at the edge of my ability to comprehend.

[@krolik78]

Thanks for usefull guide! Only one thing to note - when you use Hardlimiter and Radar, in one time, the Radar should be lower, than Hardlimiter in the list of audioeffects. Otherwise it will scan audio without effect of hardlimiter - and you will see same situation, as before.

[@dziwacznykanal]

Man, thanks for saying this!

[@scottthomasHLE]

Good video Oliver. The Hard limiter offers the equivalent of Maxim RT plugin on Avid Media Composer for those looking for this. Just a note - Oliver mentions it in reply to a question further down that it is essential to put the Hard Limiter ABOVE the Loudness radar in the chain for you to see any changes after adjusting it. Set the maximum amplitude to -0.6 on the Hard limiter with Input Boost to 0 initially. Then run the Loudness Radar. Check the result and then adjust the Input Boost to compensate. Run Loudness Radar again to check it's worked. Oh and broadcast LUFS vary from -23 , through -23.5 to -24 in different countries - it's much quieter than web videos. Hope this helps.

What to do if the result after the first run of the loudness radar is too high? Let's say 3dB above my target LUFS. What's the best way to lower it?

[@dna8269]

Such a helpful video. No idea why there's such little info on this topic especially when dealing with typical dialogue and voiceovers. Thank you so much!

[@OliverJHughes]

Of course! The world needs to know!

[@pedalstomper78]

Great info and love that you're focusing on one of the most important, but most neglected sides of media production.

[@rowangallagher]

This is still current. Thanks for the video.

[@OliverJHughes]

Appreciate that! 🙏🏻

[@mol2488]

Wow that's insane I've never seen that method before when I searched for audio loudness mastering. Keep up the good work and tutorials

[@OliverJHughes]

Thank you!

[@everythingyouknowisalie]

Thanks for this. Very helpful. One thing that's important to mention: the hard limiter needs to be ABOVE the Loudness Radar in the Effect Channel Strip otherwise it's not going to measure it's effect and whatever you do there won't be measured by the Loudness Radar.

[@CharismaMatrix]

NICE. I'm still surprised how many big YT channels that put out videos with wildly low volume audio.

[@OliverJHughes]

Right!

[@digitalbobvideoproduction8684]

Brother, you need to get back to these! More please! Great content.

[@OliverJHughes]

Working on it!

[@maliciositygames]

Thanks for this video. I never knew this tool even existed, and it turns out that one of my current videos reads as about -22 for the loudness. I will be making some adjustments.

[@SouthpawAutoworks]

Visiting this video a 2nd time. Dude, this is super helpful! Thanks again!

[@OliverJHughes]

I’m so happy to hear that 🙏🏻

[@MrTerryRay1]

Thanks Oliver. I like this explanation as it's easy to follow and it can be done in Premiere. I'm definitely using this in my next video.

[@OliverJHughes]

Pumped about that!

[@dfvid]

Great explanation. I don't do this very often so have to re-watch each time but it's still spot on. Re. the low volume of some large YT channels - my guess is this is probably legacy of Audio people mixing to Broadcast spec which is etched in stone (-23 LUFS) but Social Media spec which is more word of mouth being -16 LUFS.

[@PhillinYouIn]

I've only been editing my KZbin videos for 2.5 months and this is by far the best and simplest method I've found for getting your sound perfect before posting to KZbin. Thanks so much man!

[@OliverJHughes]

Glad it helped!

[@laserfloyd]

I knew YT did things to audio but I never knew about the loudness radar. I love learning these new tidbits that make a huge overall impact. I've always relied on mixing it all down and balancing outside of Premiere but these extra features (that probably existed for quite some time) make life much easier to keep it in the project itself. Keep em comin'.

[@playz8538]

doesn't automatching through the "essential sounds" panel do the same thing?

[@nathitappan]

The radar was super useful. I assume the new meter works the same, but not as intuitive for the overtime visualization?

[@MarkDHall]

Very helpful video. I've used Premiere Pro in the past, but have mostly used DaVinci Resolve Studio for the past 2 years, and it's like I have to learn Premiere all over again. They work totally different, and this video was a big help getting my levels right so KZbin doesn't normalize them. Thank you!

[@OliverJHughes]

Thanks for sharing! I’m glad it helped

[@dandanliu6500]

Great video! So we have to play through the whole clip to get the LUFS for the whole mix? Can we just export it with the normalization settings instead of using a hard limiter?

[@OliverJHughes]

You could, but without playing all the way through you won't know your target loudness exactly, which is risky. This is a cumbersome method, but the best for Premiere only. Now, if you have Audition, this is a simple click of a few buttons and youre done!

[@dandanliu6500]

@@OliverJHughes tot it, thank you! If I set the target LUFS at -24, but my amplitude statistics is reading -23.61, did I surpass the target?

[@JasonBrown-WorshipVocalist]

GREAT video, Oliver! Do you have suggestions for a comparable method on M1 machines, now that they've done away with the Loudness Radar plugin? Looks like it's not coming back and been "replaced" with the "Loudness Meter" plugin... but it doesn't seem to work similarly at all. Any suggestions?

[@heckensteiner4713]

Amazing video! Thanks. That stuttering at 6:37 😥 At least I know I'm not the only one who encounters playback stutters in Premiere. That's one reason I might make the jump to DaVinci soon...

[@powerflex500]

Great tutorial. I have had many issues with the loudness that KZbin processes on my videos. This is the first concise tutorial I have seen that resolves that problem.

[@powerflex500]

Thanks again.

[@bethanythebeast]

The man in the video sounds exactly like Dr. Phil, haha thanks!

[@OliverJHughes]

Hahaha he totally does!

[@ToddDever]

Thanks! Just what I needed to know and very clear.

[@DuaneToops]

Dude!! This is fantastic! I've been struggling with the exact issue since I started creating content, and I've been at a complete loss. Today I went through all the steps you laid and damn, what difference! 100% better! Thanks so much! You are a life saver my man!! Keep up the great work!

[@OliverJHughes]

Dang, that makes me happy! Glad to hear it!

[@DuaneToops]

@@OliverJHughes 🤜🤛

[@Creative7inc]

An often overlooked topic concerning editing! Thanks for sharing, and keep up the fantastic content!

[@OliverJHughes]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@tfriedmann5908]

So this doesn't seem to work any longer on Apple Silicon. Perhaps Loudness Meter will do? Any good replacements?

[@rainfallprojects501]

Hey really enjoying your tutorials, top notch. Thanks!

[@MrV2schneider]

So apparently Loudness Radar is not working with newer macs, any work around?

[@rhughes004]

Thank you for this.

[@maithamalrayes1599]

Great job Oliver and thank you for your amazing explanation

[@heeber7084]

Radar says I'm at -10.6 LUFS. With limiter applied (-.6 max amplitude and -3.4 input boost) I'm thinking I SHOULD be right at -14 LUFS for you tube but on playing the track again, I'm only at -10.8 LUFS. The loudness radar is set to -14 as target loudness. What am I missing? Edit: I didn't have my hard limiter filter above the loudness radar. Forgot the filters box runs on hierarchy as well

[@BrendanCescon]

Dang, wish I'd learned how to do this a long time ago! Great tutorial, thanks man!

[@OliverJHughes]

Have you been as confused about loudness standards as I was?

[@itspoffy]

No but the rest of the world seems to be. The loudess wars ruined music. Now everything is so freaking compressed that its lost all its live because everyone is pushing 0dbfs or clipping because nothing is louder than a digital string of 11111111111. Thanks for the video showing how to get the loudness meter. I couldn't find where in the world is was stashed away.

[@DarylCatholicArtist]

Hey Oliver, thanks for the tip! I was trying out this on a short film for a final mix, and I got the LUFS to -18db from -24db. However the radar seemed to show the audio to be clipping right to the max circumference of the diagram. Would you know what I might need to check to solve this?

[@andreasbuecker]

Hi Oliver, great tip :) Everything´s so simple when you explain it! Greetings from Germany :))

[@OliverJHughes]

That’s high praise man!! Thanks!

[@maadne]

You sir just saved my life. Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Subscribed.

[@nickhawke]

Learning a lot from your videos. Thanks Oliver

[@_mariochristopher]

This was amazing! You just leveled me up today! Thank you!

[@scytchannel]

Thank you so much 😀🙏🏽☀️

[@Micka_Elle]

Forever grateful. Thanks mate! 🙏

[@SamGale]

Great tutorial, immensely helpful! Thanks, Oliver

[@samuelsantos]

Hi. Why don't you use the "Loudness Normalization" under Effects tab on the export window? Is the last option and it's pretty much the same thing. If you mix everything properly before the export, you will always get a perfect loudness whitout having to play all the sequence all the time just for it.

[@OliverJHughes]

You’re correct - the only issue I have with that option is it normalizes based on peaks only - which can be unhelpful for the overall loudness rating. Thankfully Audition has a tool to automatically normalize based on overall loudness - which I use a lot.

[@ramenadventure]

At 3:32, you cut to yourself and say "get out of it and double click" but I can't see what you click on.

[@OliverJHughes]

Sorry about that! I simply double clicked on the effect within the Track Mixer. This is how to get it to actually open. For some reason Premiere doesn’t automatically open effects once they’ve been added to the channel.

[@RandallsRestRelaxation]

Awesome information! Thanks

[@funhorizon5494]

thanks for the tips

[@elfinstuff8934]

For some reason my loudness radar isn't showing any change after I use the hard limiter, even if I increase it enough to clip or decrease it enough to mute it just shows me 17.2. They're both on the master track.

[@OliverJHughes]

Do you have the limiter before or after the radar in the chain? That might make a big difference!

[@skyscolor9790]

do i have to do this every time?

[@AndyS52]

great video thanks

[@ChronicEdgeTV]

Thank you very much sir. I really needed that help. ;) Namaste

[@OliverJHughes]

Of course! Namaste!

[@astelraimedia4149]

Ever run into an issue where an exported file doesn't actually export the settings correctly? I've been exporting an MXF with -20DB, everything looks good, sounds good, hit export, then the file it exports ends up playing at -11DB. It's like there's a setting somewhere that's overriding what I put in manually.

[@DUSHNILAtv86]

Depends on program if premiere it resets. So use save presets

[@PhilosophyMeditations]

In premiere it only offers a mix track... no master, is there a way to solve this?

[@acostureirinha]

Can anyone help me? How do I know I'm on the MASTER track? On my project, besides the other tracks, it only show a MIX track. And when I click on special it does not show the option for the Loudness Radar. Only the Loudness Meter. Does anyone knows how to solve this? I'm using Premiere Pro Beta. Thank you!

[@OliverJHughes]

'MIX' is the master track - I spoke incorrectly. And Loudness Meter is the same thing as radar, just without the cool visualizer!

[@videosound20]

Спасибо, Оливер!

[@robertazanchi63]

I. LOVE. YOU. THANKS!

[@theory_underground]

The "disclosure triangle" at 3:14 is missing for me... I have the audio track mixer, but no triangle.

[@theory_underground]

later it showed up. I'm not sure what changed! But now I'm getting clipping when using the hard limiter. My average lufs were at -23, so I added 7 via the hard limiter, with everything else set at Oliver's recommended settings, and now it's clipping. I've messed around with the numbers a bit but can't get the clipping to stop... sucks because I love the sound the gain boost gives me, but it isn't worth the clipping.

[@pmsameer]

but sir why i cant see loudness radar on my prmiere pro 2024

[@NajaSierra]

I can't get past 3:30 because you ask to "open it up by double clicking" but I can't see or figure out what you are double clicking?

[@OliverJHughes]

So if you back up a few seconds I showed the path to find it, it's in the Track Mixer, toggle the disclosure triangle to open your effects slots, click on one and choose "Special", and then "Loudness Radar", and my comment of "Open up the effect by double clicking" refers to double clicking on that same space that the effect is in. That will open it for you to see.

[@NajaSierra]

@@OliverJHughes Got it, thank you!

[@RafaMatosTV]

@@OliverJHughes got it too. Thanks 😁😁

[@MyJeanf]

Hey Oliver thanks dude great tutorial.

[@OliverJHughes]

Of course! I’m glad you watched

[@musabinho]

very helpful tutorial... Thanks 👏

[@jomartinkelly1]

You solved a problem for me. Thank you!

[@OliverJHughes]

I’m so pumped to hear that!

[@AnxietyMentor]

It also depends how loud your recorded audio is. If it was too low and then you boost it to -16db then you might get way too much background noise.

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

Hard limiter is where it's at!!

[@michaelpoczynek]

Thank you. Very interesting.

[@Foodgeek]

So, here's a question: Should that be -14 LUFS for youtube now? :)

[@camcutcontainer6210]

Hi Oliver, thanks for the interesting loudness clip. But I am confused. I tried to change the level exactly as described in the clip but there was NO reaction of the LUFS value up or down. Even if I change the volume of the master track, it is in- or decreasing in my speakers but the LUFS value is going to be the same in the radar...do you have any idea?

[@OliverJHughes]

For the Radar to pick up on the loudness changes it needs to be the very very last plugin in your whole chain - make sure any volume adjustment happens upstream from it.

[@camcutcontainer6210]

@@OliverJHughes That was helpful. Thanks a lot!

[@philamylon1479]

@@camcutcontainer6210 This was super helpful, I'm glad you asked this. Thanks!

[@moonlightspruce]

I use Adobe Premiere v 15 and I can't find Loudness Radar in a Special Effects. There is only Loudness Meter but it's different. Does anybody know where I can get it? Please help!

[@iamvmsulthan]

Loves the video, learned a really new technique in audio levelling. I also noticed that white headphone cushion/ear pads you had in it, seen man other creators also using them. if you don't mind could link to that product for me please, or at least can I know the product/brand name.

[@juliatutko-balena9989]

Great video but one mistake: YT does NOT boost your volume if you are too soft. They lower high volume, but if you're too quiet, that's that. They won't increase volume on quiet videos.

[@manisky9026]

The problem for me is that if I go up to -16, I have many peak moments. I don't know what to do. It is so frustrating

[@arbabcreations]

Does this loudness radar come with premiere pro or we have to be installed separately? is free or a paid one?

[@nicholaslau9321]

I hope this channel continues to grow... exponentially :D

[@Johnfrancis405]

What is the diffrence between the hard limiter and the tool dynamics? there is a limiter too

[@mikesakas9575]

Now to the channel...this was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Def sub and bell!

[@OliverJHughes]

Pumped about that!!

[@TwisterChasers]

Great information! Thanks!

[@EssaSportsLife]

Thanks and you are the best 👏🏻

[@Atros25]

Hey, my video was at -30,4 LUFS and i boosted master by 14,4 dB and the loudness radar is still at around -30 LUFS, but the video is a lot louder, what's wrong?

[@itsByShan]

thanks for help 🙏🏼

[@UspaceEntertainment]

Lots of love and blessings!

[@AlfredYap]

is this considered as loudness normalization?

[@OliverJHughes]

Yes it is.

[@AlfredYap]

@@OliverJHughes thanks

[@General111100]

audio master!!! tnx sir!

[@SHVWNCOOPER]

i'm trying to just create presets in premiere for my vlog mic so i can drag and drop and get semi decent audio cuz dude i suck. halp.

[@codyturk]

Thank you...

[@mol2488]

Is there a way to make the radar linear and lay in below your timeline so you can exactly see where the audio mix is leveled bad?

[@OliverJHughes]

I don't believe there is, but, that shouldn't be the biggest issue - peaks aren't what give us perceived loudness anyway. You should really rely on your ears for that too

[@FrankyEames]

Another clutch video man!

[@OliverJHughes]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@ssam7384]

None of this videos contain non-essential stuff. This was great too. Btw was the headphone wireless?

[@OliverJHughes]

Thanks Surya, so appreciate that

[@SouthpawAutoworks]

Dude, great video! Added this stuff to my notes. Excited about stepping up my audio game. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in a straight-forward tutorial. Appreciate you man. Checking out your Patreon and your audio presets.

[@OliverJHughes]

Bro appreciate you so much. Thanks!

[@lizzygracekramer]

not sure why, but when I double click the loudness radar it doesn't come up on screen.. have I done something wrong? can't seem to get it working. Thanks

[@OliverJHughes]

Premiere is so weird - have you tried clicking it after you first enabled it? That usually brings it up

[@lizzygracekramer]

@@OliverJHughes Thanks for the speedy reply, that must be it, I will have another go, thanks :)

[@OliverJHughes]

Holler if it doesn’t work - I love helping navigate premiere’s downfalls haha

You've probably heard this before but you look and sound like the lost Affleck brother. But great video! Subscribed!

[@spacemountain3033]

this is a solid tutorial

[@TravisSickle]

This is a great channel!

[@r_ad]

i love you

[@jonmonkman]

Brilliant! Thanks Oliver, that saved my ass.

[@elid377]

Hey bro what numbers would you suggest for film? -24? what would be a good Max Ampli? on average

[@OliverJHughes]

You man. I consulted w/ some experts on this cause it’s confusing as hell as to what the standards are - if you’re making a film for web, go for -16LUFS and keep your peaks below -1dbfs. If your film is headed to the theater, you’ll probably need to get a 5.1 anyway (if you go festivals) and the DCP company will prolly go -24.

[@matthewtakes5506]

You're a legend. This is super helpful. Subscribe. Also your voice sounds like a combo of Ben and Casey Affleck. So. There's that. Cheers.

[@OliverJHughes]

Haha thanks man! I've been told that before... not sure I hear it!

[@robmurray8658]

great video, except ironically terrible music loudness levels ;

[@user-gr9vn5df6v]

Спасибо друг! В русскоязычном контенте хуй найдешь такого!!! Мне очень помог!

[@oleandra3759]

Oliver? No, you’re a Gunter or Sven.

[@europhile2658]

Double clicking what? in 2020