What loudness should you target for iTunes?
The iTunes Store and the wider Apple ecosystem use Sound Check at about -16 LUFS for playback when enabled. Deliver 24-bit/44.1kHz or higher; the same master suits Apple Music. There is no loudness reward, since a hot master is normalised down. True-peak -1 dBTP.
When you export from Quantara targeting iTunes, the engine measures your master's integrated loudness (ITU-R BS.1770 / EBU R128), normalises it toward the -16.0 LUFS reference, and holds inter-sample (true) peaks under -1 dBTP. It will not slam a quiet, dynamic track up to a loud number just to hit a target — and since the major streaming platforms normalise playback anyway, sitting near the reference is what actually matters. You stay in control: tweak the chain, A/B against the original, and export when it sounds right.
How to master your track for iTunes
Upload your mix
Create an account (no card needed), then drag and drop your WAV, FLAC or MP3 file into Quantara Studio. Supports files up to 500MB.
Select iTunes preset
Click the iTunes target. The mastering chain starts from a -16.0 LUFS reference with tone, dynamics and stereo width tuned for this target.
A/B compare and export
Press Play and flip between Before and After to hear the difference. When you're happy, click Export to download your iTunes master in the format your plan includes (WAV, FLAC or MP3), normalised toward -16.0 LUFS with true-peak limiting at -1 dBTP.
Genres to pair with iTunes
Genre starting points to pair with the iTunes target: Pop, Classical, Rock, Country, R&B. Each genre has its own frequency balance and dynamics, so treat the preset as a starting point and fine-tune by ear.
Why master iTunes with Quantara?
A mastering engineer brings trained ears to a release. Quantara gives you a fast, transparent mastering chain tuned for iTunes: try it with a free account (1 export with a watermark), then unlimited on the Pro plan at €8.99/month. It is a strong, measurable starting point, not a replacement for a trained engineer's ears on a critical release.
Quantara Music masters with its own engine — no AI model. The iTunes starting point is fully adjustable in real time, and every change shows on real LUFS, true-peak and gain-reduction meters, so you can verify what it does.
Quantara Music gives you full control: adjust every control in real time, hear the difference with A/B bypass, and export when you're satisfied. Mastering runs entirely in your browser: your files are not uploaded for mastering.
FAQ — iTunes mastering
Yes — master and preview in the studio; a free account includes 1 export with a watermark, no credit card. Exports without a watermark come with Pay Per Track, Pro or Studio. Unlimited exports are available on the Pro plan.
Use -16.0 LUFS integrated as a reference and keep true peak under -1 dBTP. Master for the song first; most streaming platforms normalise playback, so the reference matters more than chasing a loud number.
Upload WAV, FLAC or MP3 up to 500MB. Export WAV, FLAC or MP3, depending on your plan, normalised toward the iTunes reference with true-peak-safe limiting.
Ready to master your track for iTunes?
Free account: 1 export with a watermark — no credit card required
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