How to export audio for YouTube or Spotify: optimal settings
Discover the ideal audio export settings for YouTube and Spotify. Format, bitrate, loudness: all settings for optimal quality.
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YouTube and Spotify are the two giants of audio and video streaming, but they have very different technical requirements. A file perfect for one may be unsuitable for the other.
YouTube prioritizes video compatibility and accepts a wide range of formats, while Spotify imposes strict audio quality standards to guarantee a premium experience for its users.
This article details the optimal export settings for each platform, allowing you to deliver professional sound that makes the most of each streaming service.
Table of Contents
Fundamental differences YouTube vs Spotify
YouTube is primarily a video platform. Audio always accompanies a visual component, which influences technical choices. YouTube re-encodes everything to AAC for streaming, so your source file will be transformed.
Spotify is a pure audio platform that streams at multiple qualities depending on subscription: 96 kbps (mobile economy), 160 kbps (normal), 320 kbps (premium). Source files must be maximum quality to preserve fidelity.
For YouTube, you typically upload a video containing audio. For Spotify, you go through a distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby) that imposes its own specifications.
Loudness is handled differently: YouTube normalizes to about -14 LUFS, Spotify also uses -14 LUFS as target but offers user options. Mastering loudness is crucial for both platforms.
Optimal settings for YouTube
RECOMMENDED FORMAT: For audio in a YouTube video, use WAV or FLAC as source before video encoding. If uploading audio alone (with static image), AAC or MP3 320 kbps work well.
SAMPLE RATE: 48 kHz is the video standard and therefore optimal for YouTube. 44.1 kHz works but YouTube will convert to 48 kHz.
BITRATE: For audio in the final video, YouTube recommends AAC 384 kbps for stereo. Your source file should be maximum quality.
BIT DEPTH: 24 bits recommended for sources, YouTube will encode to 16 bits for streaming.
LOUDNESS: Aim for -14 LUFS integrated with peaks not exceeding -1 dB True Peak. YouTube applies automatic normalization.
CHANNELS: Stereo (2 channels) for music. 5.1 is supported for premium videos but rarely necessary for music.
TIP: Create your video with an uncompressed audio codec (PCM in MOV/MP4 container), let YouTube do the final compression.
Optimal settings for Spotify
MANDATORY FORMAT: WAV or FLAC only. Spotify refuses MP3 files because they are already compressed. The distributor may have its own additional requirements.
SAMPLE RATE: 44.1 kHz mandatory. This is the CD audio standard. Files at 48 kHz or higher will be refused or converted with potential loss.
BIT DEPTH: 16 bits or 24 bits. Both are accepted, 24 bits offers better dynamic range for processing.
BITRATE: Not applicable for WAV/FLAC (lossless). Spotify generates its own compressed versions for streaming.
LOUDNESS: Target -14 LUFS integrated. Spotify normalizes all tracks for consistent listening. A master too loud will be attenuated, a master too quiet will be amplified.
TRUE PEAK: Do not exceed -1 dB True Peak to avoid distortion after Ogg Vorbis encoding.
CHANNELS: Stereo only. Mono files are accepted but will be broadcast on both channels.
Loudness management: the key factor
Loudness (perceived volume) is measured in LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale). It's the industry standard metric replacing simple peak measurements.
YouTube and Spotify both target around -14 LUFS, but their processing differs. YouTube attenuates content that's too loud but doesn't amplify quiet content. Spotify normalizes in both directions.
A master at -8 LUFS (very compressed/loud) will be brought to -14 LUFS on both platforms, losing its "presence" compared to a native -14 LUFS master.
A master at -20 LUFS (very dynamic/quiet) will be amplified on Spotify but will remain quiet on YouTube with default settings.
RECOMMENDATION: Master between -14 and -12 LUFS with peaks at -1 dB True Peak. This is the sweet spot for both platforms.
Use a True Peak limiter to ensure your peaks never exceed -1 dB, even after codec conversions.
Parameter comparison table
YOUTUBE: Source format WAV/FLAC | Frequency 48 kHz | Bits 24 | Loudness -14 LUFS | True Peak -1 dB | Goes through video encoding
SPOTIFY: Format WAV/FLAC mandatory | Frequency 44.1 kHz | Bits 16/24 | Loudness -14 LUFS | True Peak -1 dB | Goes through distributor
APPLE MUSIC: Format WAV/FLAC/AIFF | Frequency 44.1/48/96 kHz | Bits 16/24 | Loudness -16 LUFS | True Peak -1 dB | Goes through distributor
SOUNDCLOUD: Format MP3/FLAC/WAV | Frequency 44.1 kHz | Bits 16/24 | Loudness free | True Peak -1 dB | Direct upload
TIDAL: Format FLAC/WAV/MQA | Frequency 44.1-192 kHz | Bits 16/24 | Loudness -14 LUFS | True Peak -1 dB | Goes through distributor
Multi-platform export workflow
The most efficient approach is to create a high-quality "source" master, then derive specific versions for each platform.
SOURCE MASTER: WAV 44.1 kHz / 24 bits, -14 LUFS, True Peak -1 dB. This file will serve as the base for all conversions.
YOUTUBE VERSION: Convert to 48 kHz if necessary, integrate into your video with lossless audio codec.
SPOTIFY/DISTRIBUTOR VERSION: Keep the source master as is (44.1 kHz WAV/FLAC 24 bits) or convert to 16 bits depending on distributor requirements.
SOUNDCLOUD VERSION: Convert to MP3 320 kbps or keep as FLAC depending on your SoundCloud plan.
PROMO/PRESS VERSION: MP3 320 kbps with complete metadata and embedded artwork.
Use Convertly Audio to quickly create these different versions from your source master.
Ready to try?
Try Convert audioHow to do it in 3 steps
Import your audio master to Convertly Audio and check its current characteristics.
Select the target format according to platform: WAV 44.1 kHz for Spotify, WAV 48 kHz for YouTube.
Download the optimized file and send it to your distributor or integrate it into your YouTube video.
Pro Tips
- Always create your master at -14 LUFS rather than letting platforms normalize it themselves.
- Keep -1 dB True Peak headroom to avoid distortion after encoding.
- Test your sound on both platforms before official release using preview tools.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Sending MP3 to a Spotify distributor (refused). Solution: always export as WAV or FLAC for distribution.
- ✗Mastering too loud (-6 LUFS) thinking "louder = better". Solution: aim for -14 LUFS to avoid attenuation.
- ✗Using 48 kHz for Spotify (can cause artifacts). Solution: stay at 44.1 kHz for music distribution.
- ✗Forgetting True Peak and having distortion after encoding. Solution: use a True Peak limiter at -1 dB.
- ✗Creating different masters for each platform with inconsistent levels. Solution: one source master, then conversions.
- ✗Ignoring metadata that will be visible on Spotify. Solution: fill in title, artist, album correctly.