Streaming pllatforms apply normalization to all tracks based on integrated LUFS value. For instance, Youtube's target loudness is set at -14 LUFS-I. The implications of this when uploading an album is that each track will be normalized at -14 LUFS-I. The problem with integrated LUFS readings is that it can't tell the difference between tracks that are dynamic (i.e. have quiet and loud parts) vs. tracks that are at a consistent volume throughout its entirety. I notice this effect when listening to [Stairway to Heaven](youtube.com/.../watch). The climax section at around the 6 minute mark is considerably louder than the loudest parts of the other songs on the album. I listened to [Rock and Roll](youtube.com/.../watch) and I noticed it sounded much quieter than the Stairway to Heaven climax. I double-checked on Reaper and measured LUFS values from the Youtube rips and found that the maximum short-term LUFS differs significantly on both tracks while having the same integrated LUFS value at -14. I want to ask the mastering engineers out there if this is something that you take into consideration when exporting your masters for distribution. Do you create a separate "streaming platform master" that takes the phenomenon I mentioned into account? Or do you just aim for a good master and don't care about loudness normalization for streaming platforms?