How to Export Your Track for Streaming (Loudness, Format, Sample Rate)

Export settings can feel confusing, but the safe streaming workflow is straightforward: high-quality WAV, sensible loudness, and no clipped true peaks.

Best export format

• Use WAV for your master upload whenever possible.
• 24-bit is a safe professional choice.
• 44.1 kHz is standard for music; 48 kHz is also accepted by most platforms.
• Avoid exporting only MP3 as your final master.

Loudness targets

Spotify often normalizes around -14 LUFS, Apple Music around -16 LUFS. That does not mean every master must be exactly -14. It means hyper-loud masters may simply get turned down.

True peak

Keep true peak around -1 dBTP to reduce clipping after conversion. This matters because streaming platforms encode your file into other formats after upload.

Streaming export checklist

1. Export a 24-bit WAV master.
2. Use 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz depending on your session.
3. Leave true peak around -1 dBTP.
4. Check integrated LUFS but do not chase a number blindly.
5. Listen to the exported file from start to finish before uploading.