MasterCheck
by NUGEN Audio · Utility · Streaming codec/loudness preview
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A mastering plugin that shows how a master will sound after streaming services normalise its loudness and encode it with their codecs.
It measures integrated loudness, PLR, PSR and true peak, and lets you audition codec artefacts for platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and YouTube, in stereo or surround up to 7.1.4.
Best for: Mastering. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: mastering, true-peak, resizable UI, utility.
What it does
MasterCheck is NUGEN Audio's plugin for checking how a master will translate to streaming, download and physical formats.
- Loudness normalisation: hear your master turned down the way each platform will play it.
- Codec preview: audition encoding artefacts for Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Qobuz and Pandora.
- Measurements: integrated loudness, PLR, PSR and true peak.
- Surround: up to 7.1.4, for Dolby Atmos deliveries.
- Interface: resizable, with portrait and landscape views.
Source: NUGEN Audio product page
When to use it
Like ADPTR Streamliner, MasterCheck answers the question: what happens to my master on each platform? Compared with Streamliner, which covers more platforms and is more common in recent guides, MasterCheck adds surround up to 7.1.4 and fits alongside NUGEN's other loudness tools.
- Best for: final mastering checks for streaming, deciding how loud to master, and Atmos or surround deliveries.
- Genres: all; most useful where heavy limiting is common (EDM, hip-hop, pop, metal).
- Look elsewhere if: you just want LUFS and true peak (Youlean is free) or a wider platform list (Streamliner).
What producers say
- Magnetic Magazine (2026) suggested it for producers who want to check how masters behave under release conditions.
- PluginReviewLab (2026) described it as a codec-auditioning tool that previews Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube encoding with loudness normalisation.
- Sound On Sound (Hugh Robjohns, quoted by NUGEN) said it provides everything you'll need to evaluate the loudness of your mixes.
- Magnetic Magazine: Best Plugins For Reference Tracks (2026)
- PluginReviewLab: 10 Best Reference VST Plugins (2026)
- NUGEN Audio MasterCheck page (press quotes)
Where to buy
- Best Service: $249
- NUGEN Audio: $249
Tutorials and reviews
- NUGEN Audio MasterCheck 2 Review: Loudness, Codecs and Compliance in One Plug-In (Production Expert)
- Optimizing a Mix with MasterCheck (NUGEN Audio) - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro (Produce Like A Pro)
- NUGEN Audio MasterCheck Plug-in Demo (Sweetwater)
- The NUGEN MasterCheck - Plugin Review
- An Introduction to MasterCheck
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