What the Analyser shows The free Hardwave Analyser (version 1.0.26) is available as VST3 and CLAP on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its metering panel displays LUFS, RMS, peak loudness and a SPAN-style spectrum tuned to the kicks typical of hard-style tracks.
Why peak matters for hard-style Hard-style tracks rely on a very punchy kick. While LUFS measures perceived loudness, the peak meter tells you how close the signal is to digital clipping. Keeping the true-peak below a safe ceiling prevents distortion after encoding and preserves the kick's impact.
Typical hard-style loudness targets
| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| Integrated LUFS (hard-style) | -7 to -9 LUFS |
| Short-term LUFS (drop/kick) | -5 to -6 LUFS |
| Short-term LUFS (breakdown) | -12 to -16 LUFS |
| True-peak ceiling (club master) | -0.3 dBTP |
| True-peak ceiling (streaming) | -1.0 dBTP |
Step-by-step workflow
- Insert the Analyser on the master bus - keep the metering window visible throughout the mix.
- Set the true-peak ceiling - in the limiter (or any brick-wall) set the ceiling to -0.3 dBTP for a club-only master or -1.0 dBTP for a version that will be streamed.
- Watch the peak meter - the peak readout should stay just below the ceiling. If it repeatedly spikes above, lower the limiter's output gain or tighten the release.
- Check short-term LUFS - play the drop section; the short-term LUFS should read around -5 to -6 LUFS, giving a 6-10 dB contrast to the breakdown (-12 to -16 LUFS).
- Adjust the limiter - increase the output gain until the integrated LUFS lands in the -7 to -9 LUFS range while the peak meter remains under the chosen ceiling.
- A/B with a reference - load a reference hard-style track that reads -8 LUFS integrated. Match playback volume using the Analyser's gain-offset function, then compare punch and clarity.
Practical tips
Lock the ceiling first - set the true-peak limit before tweaking gain, so the limiter cannot push the signal into clipping. Use short-term LUFS as a dynamics guard - a gap of at least 4 dB between drop and breakdown indicates healthy dynamics; shrink the gap only if the track sounds over-compressed. * Keep the Analyser visible - constant visual feedback prevents the "louder-always-better" bias that can creep in when relying on ears alone.
By following this workflow you can translate the Analyser's peak readings into reliable hard-style loudness targets, ensuring a punchy, distortion-free master that meets genre standards.