PLR stands for Peak-to-Loudness Ratio. It is a simple measurement that compares the peak level of a recording with its integrated loudness.
How is PLR calculated?
A basic PLR calculation can be expressed as:
PLR = True Peak − Integrated Loudness
For example, a track with a True Peak of -1 dBTP and an integrated loudness of -10 LUFS would have a PLR of approximately 9 dB.
What does PLR tell you?
PLR can provide an indication of how much peak-to-average space exists in a recording.
A very low PLR can be associated with heavily limited or compressed material, although PLR alone cannot tell you exactly how a track was mastered.
Does a higher PLR always mean better audio?
No.
Music genres and production styles have different dynamic characteristics. A high PLR is not automatically better than a low PLR.
The useful question is whether the dynamics support the artistic intention and translate properly during playback.
Why can low PLR be worth investigating?
If a track has very little peak-to-loudness separation, transients may have been heavily controlled. This can sometimes result in a master that feels dense, flat or fatiguing.
PLR should be considered with LUFS and True Peak
Looking at PLR together with integrated loudness and True Peak gives you more context than looking at any one measurement alone.
PLR is a diagnostic measurement, not a mastering target.
LoudCheck calculates PLR from measured True Peak and integrated loudness to provide additional dynamic context.