Apple Digital Masters and Mastering for Spotify are both programs aimed at optimising the audio quality of music distributed on their respective platforms.
Apple Digital Masters (formerly known as Mastered for iTunes) is a program by Apple that requires mastering engineers to adhere to specific guidelines and use specialised tools when preparing music for distribution on Apple platforms. These guidelines ensure that the music is optimised for playback on Apple devices, with recommendations for sample rate, bit depth, and loudness levels. When a track is submitted to the program and meets the guidelines, it is then labeled as an Apple Digital Master. This label indicates to listeners that the track has been specifically optimised for playback on Apple platforms and provides the highest quality audio possible.
Mastering for Spotify, on the other hand, is a set of guidelines provided by Spotify to mastering engineers for preparing music for distribution on the Spotify platform. The guidelines focus on achieving a consistent playback experience across all devices, with recommendations for loudness levels, peak levels, and dynamic range. When a track is submitted to Spotify that meets the guidelines, it is then eligible for inclusion on Spotify’s own curated playlists, which can help to increase its visibility and exposure to listeners.
Overall, both programs aim to ensure that the music distributed on their platforms is of the highest quality possible and provides a consistent listening experience for all users.
