Definition
Export (rendering or bouncing) is the conversion of the project into a final audio file; the final check is the technical and listening verification of that file before delivery. A PCM file is defined by its container (WAV/BWF, AIFF, FLAC), bit depth, sample rate, number of channels, duration and metadata.
Reference quantities:
- PCM bitrate = fs · N · channels: 44.1 kHz · 16 bit · 2 = 1411.2 kbit/s; at 24 bit 2116.8 kbit/s;
- size = fs · (N/8) · channels · duration;
- tail length: the export must include the tail of reverbs and delays until the level drops below the noise floor (at least the RT60 of the longest reverb).
The final check repeats on the exported file all the measurements that matter for the destination: loudness, true peak, clipping, dynamics, stereo image, mono compatibility, spectrum, start and end of the file.
Parameters and units
| Destination | Format | Main requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Mix for mastering | WAV 24 bit or 32 bit float, project sample rate | peaks −6/−3 dBFS, no limiter on the bus |
| Streaming (distributor) | WAV 24 bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz | true peak ≤ −1 dBTP |
| CD | WAV 16 bit, 44.1 kHz, dither; DDP for the plant | true peak ≤ −0.3 dBTP |
| Vinyl | WAV 24 bit | moderate limiting, controlled sibilance, centered bass |
| Video | WAV 24 bit, 48 kHz | client's loudness spec (for example −23 LUFS) |
| Stems | WAV 24 bit, same length and same start point | no processors on the master |
- Metadata: title, artist, ISRC (for distribution), BWF for broadcast.
- File names: title, version, format and date (Track_Master_24-44_2026-10-30.wav).
Musical function
The export is the last point where an error can go unnoticed: a muted track, a bypassed plugin, a forgotten limiter on the bus, a cut-off tail, a wrong sample rate. The final check ensures that the delivered file matches what was approved by ear and that it meets the specifications of the destination.
Practical example
3:30 track, master for streaming, check sheet:
| Measurement | Value | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Format | WAV 24 bit, 44.1 kHz, stereo, 55.6 MB | correct |
| Integrated loudness | −9.4 LUFS | reference −9.0 LUFS |
| True peak | −1.1 dBTP | ≤ −1.0 dBTP |
| PLR / PSR | 8.3 dB / 6.9 dB | consistent with the genre |
| LRA | 5.6 LU | consistent with the genre |
| Inter-sample peaks above 0 dBFS / clipped sections | 0 / 0 | correct |
| Correlation / mono drop | 0.58 / −1.0 dB | correct |
| Leading silence | 120 ms | correct |
| End | fade down to −90 dBFS, reverb tail complete | correct |
Common mistakes
- Exporting with tracks soloed or muted, plugins bypassed or automation disabled.
- Normalizing at export: it changes the level and invalidates the true peak check.
- Applying dither twice (in the limiter and in the export window).
- Cutting off the final tail or leaving a long or missing leading silence.
- Delivering an MP3 or an AAC as the master.
- Exporting at a sample rate different from the project's without checking the quality of the conversion.
- Listening to only part of the exported file.
How to check it
- App analysis: analyze the exported file and verify in a single panel Integrated loudness (BS.1770), Maximum short-term (3 s), Maximum momentary (400 ms), Loudness Range (EBU 3342), Sample peak, True peak (×4, BS.1770), Inter-sample peaks above 0 dBFS, Clipped sections (≥3 full-scale samples), RMS, Crest factor, PLR, PSR, Side / Mid, Drop when summed to mono, Stereo correlation, L/R balance and energy per band; compare the values with the reference and with the specs.
- Full listen: listen to the file from start to finish on at least two systems (monitors and headphones, or a smartphone speaker).
- Null test: by inverting the polarity of the new export against a previously approved version, the residual must contain only the intended changes.
- Encoding test: encode an AAC or MP3 and verify that the true peak of the decoded file stays below 0 dBTP.
Starting settings
| Parameter | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Format for streaming | WAV 24 bit, 44.1/48 kHz | Full quality for the platform's encoding. |
| Final true peak | ≤ −1.0 dBTP | Margin for encoding. |
| Leading silence | 50–500 ms | Clean start without perceptible delays. |
| Final tail | down to −90 dBFS or the noise floor | No audible cutoff of reverbs and delays. |
| Normalization at export | off | The level stays the one that was verified. |
| Dither | 16 bit only, once | Correct bit depth reduction. |
| Mix for mastering | peaks −6/−3 dBFS, no limiter | Margin for mastering. |
How to check the result
- True peak (×4, BS.1770) ≤ −1.0 dBTP, Inter-sample peaks above 0 dBFS = 0 and Clipped sections = 0.
- Integrated loudness, PLR and LRA consistent with the reference and with the destination's spec.
- Stereo correlation ≥ +0.3, mono drop ≤ 1.5 dB, L/R balance within ±0.5 dB.
- File listened to in full; start and end free of clicks, cuts or unusual silences.
- Format, sample rate, bit depth and metadata matching the requested delivery.