loudnessthat

Loudnessthat is a coined term used in discussions of audio perception to describe the gap between objective measures of sound level and the subjective experience of loudness. The word combines loudness with a demonstrative element to emphasize a qualitative property rather than a fixed numerical value. It is not a standardized metric but a conceptual shorthand employed in audio engineering, psychoacoustics, and critiques of loudness normalization practices.

Conceptually, loudnessthat highlights that two sounds with identical physical levels can be perceived as differently loud depending on spectral content, duration, masking effects, listening environment, and listener expectations. Thus, it captures the idea that perceptual loudness is not determined solely by amplitude or conventional loudness units, but by how the human auditory system processes complex sounds.

Relation to standards and measurements: traditional loudness is often quantified using metrics such as LUFS/LKFS, dBFS, or SPL. Loudnessthat, by contrast, is not a single numerical value or standard, but a qualitative consideration used to discuss perceptual outcomes in mastering, streaming normalization, and psychoacoustic research. It can be invoked to critique situations where measured loudness does not align with perceived loudness, such as aggressively compressed tracks that still sound only moderately loud.

Applications and implications: in mastering and production, awareness of loudnessthat can inform decisions about dynamic range, spectral balance, and duration. In streaming platforms, it underscores ongoing debates about loudness normalization and listener experience. Related topics include psychoacoustics, dynamic range, and masking phenomena.