Audio Average Volume

Why this matters

Loudness compliance isn't optional in broadcast. An ad that's too loud triggers viewer complaints and regulatory scrutiny. One that's too quiet gets lost between program segments. In both cases, the broadcaster takes the blame — and the agency gets a call to re-deliver.

Standards like ATSC A/85 in the US, EBU R128 in Europe, TR-B32 in Japan, and OP-59 in Australia exist precisely because loudness varies between creatives. When your ad server rotates multiple versions of a spot, each variation can have a different loudness level. One out-of-spec creative in a rotation of ten is enough to generate complaints.

Manual spot-checking doesn't scale. If you're trafficking hundreds of VAST tags per week, you need automated measurement against the right reference level — not a subjective listen.

How Advalidation tests this

• Measures integrated loudness (EBU R128) across the full duration of the video, reported in LUFS
• Each VAST variation is downloaded and measured independently — if a tag rotates between 3 creatives, all 3 get tested
• Silent videos (no audio track) are detected and flagged separately
• Also captures true peak (dBTP) as a companion measurement

Custom thresholds

Three preset reference levels reflect real broadcast and digital standards:

• -24 LKFS for US broadcast (ATSC A/85) and Japan (TR-B32)
• -23 LUFS for European broadcast (EBU R128) and Australia (OP-59)
• -16 LUFS for digital, radio, and podcast delivery

Each preset includes a configurable deviation tolerance (default +-1 LU). For example, at -24 LKFS +-1, anything from -25 to -23 passes. Broadcasters with tighter tolerances can set +-0.5 LU; those allowing more headroom can widen to +-2 LU.

What your scan results show

Each variation in your VAST tag gets its own loudness measurement. Results include the measured value (e.g. -23.45 LUFS), the reference level and deviation it was tested against, and a pass or fail verdict.

This per-variation breakdown lets you spot exactly which creative in a rotation is out of spec — without listening to each one manually. Results are available in the scan report and via the API.

Related tests

• Audio True Peak Volume — companion peak measurement
• Audio Codec — codec validation
• Audio Sample Rate — sample rate checks
• Duration — verify video length alongside loudness

See all video tests on the video tests page.

Start testing today

Set up your loudness thresholds in minutes and start catching out-of-spec audio before it airs. Get in touch to see how Advalidation fits into your workflow.