How Do You Check Loudness (LUFS) in Your DAW?

Part 2: Touring LUFS Through Premiere, Pro Tools, and DaVinci Resolve Fairlight

Every mix needs to hit specific loudness targets. But where do you find the meters? How do you read them? And when your numbers don’t match the spec, how do you fix it? This practical walkthrough demonstrates loudness measurement and correction across DaVinci Resolve’s Fairlight, Pro Tools, and Adobe Audition.

Whether you’re finishing a YouTube upload at -14 LUFS (Loudness Unites Full Scale), a Netflix feature at -27 LUFS, or a broadcast commercial at -24 LUFS, understanding how to measure and adjust loudness isn’t optional—it impacts how audiences experience your work. The challenge is that every platform has different requirements, every software measures slightly differently, and the stakes are high: miss your delivery spec, and even a perfect mix gets rejected.

About this Insight

This Insight guides you through the entire process, from finding loudness meters in each application to understanding what the numbers actually mean, correcting mixes to hit specific targets, and navigating the crucial differences between platform standards. You’ll see real examples comparing compressed commercial mixes to dynamic film mixes, understand why measurement values vary between plugins, and learn multiple methods for adjusting loudness in each DAW.

“The important thing to know is that you’re using the correct loudness standard when you’re measuring loudness that’s appropriate for who you’re delivering it to.”

Sam Lowe, Sound Mixer

Key Takeaways

By the end of this Insight, you should understand:

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Mentioned Resources