Is this the same as the blog?
No. The blog covers product news and longer stories. The Knowledge Base is a reference: definitions, examples, and a path to a tool.
Audio Knowledge Base
A clear reference for loudness, levels and formats — each idea explained with examples, then linked to a Sound Booster tool you can try on a real file.
Loudness · 6 min
What is LUFS?
Integrated loudness for streaming and podcasts. Why −14 LUFS shows up everywhere, and how to measure it on your file.
Read the guide →Levels · 5 minWhat is RMS?
Average energy of a signal. Why RMS helps compare “how strong” a track is, and how it relates to perceived loudness.
Read the guide →Levels · 5 minWhat is Peak Level?
Sample peak and true peak: the highest points in a file, headroom, and why 0 dBFS is not a loudness goal.
Read the guide →Distortion · 6 minWhat is Clipping?
When the waveform is chopped at the ceiling. How to recognize it, why it sounds harsh, and what you can still do.
Read the guide →Formats · 5 minWhat is Bitrate?
Kilobits per second in compressed audio. How bitrate trades size for detail, and when “higher” stops helping.
Read the guide →Formats · 5 minWhat is Sample Rate?
How many times per second audio is measured. 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, and why higher is not always better for delivery.
Read the guide →Imaging · 6 minMono vs Stereo
One channel or two. Phase, centered vocals, and when mono is the right choice for speech or compatibility.
Read the guide →How to use this section
These pages are not news posts. They define one concept at a time, show when it matters in real listening or delivery, and point to a browser tool that measures or changes something related — usually Audio Quality Check, Volume Booster, or a converter.
Start from a symptom
- File sounds quieter than others on Spotify or YouTube → LUFS and RMS.
- Meters hit the top and the sound cracks → Peak and Clipping.
- File size vs quality trade-offs → Bitrate and Sample rate.
- Voice in one ear or karaoke experiments → Mono vs stereo.
Ready to measure a file?
Drop an audio file into Audio Quality Check for LUFS, RMS, peaks and clipping risk — private, in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need special software to try the examples?
No. The linked tools run in the browser. You can measure or convert a file without installing a DAW.
Will measuring upload my audio?
Audio Quality Check is designed to decode and measure locally in your tab. Use it the same way you use other Sound Booster file tools.
In which order should I read these guides?
If a file just sounds too soft next to other tracks, start with LUFS and RMS. If it crackles on loud moments, read Peak and Clipping next. Bitrate and sample rate matter when you choose an export format or fix a workflow mismatch. Mono vs stereo helps when a mix behaves differently on phones, clubs, or karaoke-style tools.
Can the Knowledge Base replace a full metering suite?
No. These pages teach the ideas and point you to a quick browser check. For final broadcast delivery, label copy, or a commercial release, still confirm critical masters with the meter your distributor or broadcaster specifies. Use Sound Booster to understand the file and fix everyday level problems faster.
Why does every guide end with a tool link?
Definitions stick better when you apply them once on a real clip. Measuring LUFS on your own podcast, or spotting clipping before you boost again, turns a term into a habit. The tools stay in the browser so you can try the idea without setting up a full project.