How to Check Audio Quality Before You Publish
Updated October 2026
A short check before you publish catches most problems: clipping, noise, loudness, a bad join and a file that will not play on a phone. Five minutes of checking saves a re-upload.
The short version
- Check for clipping: flat tops on the waveform and a harsh edge on loud words.
- Check the noise between words and in the silent parts.
- Measure the loudness and the true peak of the final file.
- Listen on a phone speaker and headphones, then upload the file you checked.
Clipping and noise
Scan the waveform for flat tops. Listen to the quiet parts for steady noise, hum and clicks. Fix anything you find before you export.
Loudness and peak
Measure the loudness of the whole file and check the true peak. The free LUFS meter on this site measures a file in your browser.
Listen where people will hear it
Listen on a phone speaker, headphones and a laptop speaker. Check the start, the end and any join. Upload the same file you checked, not an earlier version.
Check it before it goes out
Tunedzy checks the peak and sets the loudness on export. Use the free LUFS meter to check any file.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
How long does the check take?
A few minutes for a short file. Long files need the same check, in sections.
What is the most common mistake?
Uploading an earlier export. Check the file you upload.
Do I need special equipment?
No. A phone and headphones are enough for most checks.
Keep going
How to Export Audio for Spotify and Apple PodcastsWhat Is True Peak (dBTP)?
My Voice Sounds Different on a Phone SpeakerAll guides and comparisons · Tunedzy Go on your phone · Pricing