Loudness alignment before final mix is intended to achieve what?

• A. Loudness alignment makes all tracks the same amplitude.
• B. Loudness alignment is only about peak limiting.
• C. Loudness alignment is used to convert audio to mono.
• D. Loudness alignment ensures consistent perceived loudness across segments so the final mix sounds balanced.

Answer: (D)

Loudness alignment focuses on how loud something feels to a listener, not just the raw peak levels. Perceived loudness depends on factors like frequency content and how long a section lasts, so simply making all tracks peak at the same level won’t guarantee a balanced listening experience. By matching the integrated loudness across segments (using perceptual loudness measures), you ensure quiet dialogue, music, and effects sit at a similar perceived level. This keeps transitions from one scene or element to another from feeling jarring and helps the final mix sit evenly when mastered or streamed. It’s not about forcing every track to the same amplitude, nor is it solely about peak limiting or converting to mono. The goal is consistent perceived loudness across segments so the final mix sounds balanced.