# How to Export a Louder Master From GarageBand on iPhone

> GarageBand's default export often comes out quieter than streaming platforms expect. Here's how to actually get it to a proper loudness before exporting.

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# How to Export a Louder Master From GarageBand on iPhone

Published 14 September 2026, 16:00 UTC · updated 31 August 2026, 13:05 UTC · by Loopin

A song exported straight from GarageBand on iPhone often comes out well under the loudness streaming platforms expect. A few specific steps close that gap before you export the final file.

## Check your mix levels before mastering

Make sure individual track levels aren't already clipping the master bus — watch GarageBand's master level meter while the loudest section plays, and pull back any track pushing it into the red before doing anything else. A clean, unclipped mix is the necessary starting point for mastering.

If the master bus is already showing red or distortion warnings, fix that at the mix level first — loudness processing on top of an already-clipping mix just makes the problem louder and more obvious.

## Use GarageBand's Compressor and Limiter on the master track

GarageBand includes compressor and limiter plugins you can apply directly to the master track (or the overall song, depending on version), which is the tool set available for adding loudness within the app itself. Apply a moderate compressor setting to even out dynamics, followed by a limiter to bring up the ceiling.

This won't get you the full precision of a dedicated mastering tool, but it meaningfully closes the gap between GarageBand's quiet default export and something closer to a proper streaming loudness.

## Watch the levels, don't just guess

GarageBand's built-in metering doesn't show LUFS directly, so you're working somewhat by ear and by peak level rather than a precise loudness target. Aim for consistent, confident levels without obvious distortion, and treat this as a rough pass rather than a precisely targeted master.

If precise loudness targeting matters for your release, exporting from GarageBand and running the result through a dedicated mastering tool afterward gets you a genuinely accurate −14 LUFS result rather than an approximation.

## Export at the highest quality setting available

When exporting from GarageBand, choose the highest quality audio format the app offers rather than a compressed option, even if the final destination will eventually be compressed by a distributor. Starting from the best available quality gives any further processing the most to work with.

This matters regardless of whether you're doing additional mastering afterward or using the GarageBand export as your final file.

## Compare your export against a released reference

After exporting, play your file back to back against a professionally released track in a similar style, ideally level-matched. If yours still sounds noticeably quieter or less polished, that's a sign either the mix needs more work or the export would benefit from a proper mastering pass beyond what GarageBand's built-in tools alone provide.

This comparison is the most honest check of whether your GarageBand export is actually release-ready or needs another step.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does my GarageBand export sound quiet compared to released songs?

GarageBand's default export doesn't apply streaming-target loudness processing automatically. Applying the built-in Compressor and Limiter to the master track, or running the export through a dedicated mastering tool, closes that gap.

### Does GarageBand show LUFS when exporting?

No, its built-in metering doesn't display LUFS directly, so achieving a precise loudness target within GarageBand alone is difficult. Exporting and then using a dedicated mastering tool gets a genuinely accurate result.

### What export quality setting should I use in GarageBand?

The highest quality audio format available, even if the final destination will eventually compress the file. Starting from the best quality gives any further mastering processing the most to work with.

## Related reads

- [Master your track free](/mastering)
- [Loopin App vs GarageBand: mastering on iPhone compared](/blog/loopin-app-vs-garageband-mastering)
- [How to master a song on iPhone](/blog/how-to-master-a-song-on-iphone)

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Source: https://onloopin.com/blog/how-to-export-a-loud-master-from-garageband-iphone