Production & assets
Broadcast Master
A broadcast master is a version of an audio asset prepared to a broadcaster's technical delivery specification, including loudness normalisation, true-peak limits and channel configuration. Standards such as EBU R 128 in Europe and ATSC A/85 in the United States define the target values a deliverable must hit.
In practice
Broadcasters reject non-compliant audio automatically. In Europe that generally means a programme loudness of −23 LUFS with true peaks no higher than −1 dBTP; advertising has its own tolerances. A music-only track pushed loud for streaming will be turned down by the broadcaster's normalisation, changing the balance the mix was built on. Preparing a broadcast master means re-checking loudness after the music has been placed under voice-over and effects, not just measuring the music in isolation.
How SoniBuyout® handles it
Owning the master means you can re-master freely for each destination — a −23 LUFS broadcast version, a streaming version, a cinema version — without asking permission to create an alternative version of the work.
Real questions
Can I just turn the volume down to meet loudness specs?
No. Loudness is an integrated perceptual measurement, not a peak level. Compliance normally requires measurement with an ITU-R BS.1770 meter and adjustment of the mix, not only the fader.
Does music need a separate broadcast master?
The final programme mix must comply. Starting from an uncompressed music master with headroom makes that achievable; starting from a heavily limited MP3 often does not.
Related terms
Own the track instead of renting it
Sonify Music sells exclusive buyouts of catalogue tracks: one payment, full ownership, the track removed from sale and a named certificate of ownership.