Imported WAV is +3dB over same file on disk

[Bruce Gavin]

I use CWBB version 2024.12 (125)  update 29.9.0.125
As a previous Sonar user, I am simply delighted with every aspect of CWBB.

I find that imported WAV files play +3dB louder in CWBB than on disk.
I use the paid version of Youlean Loudness Meter 2, (2.5.10) to measure integrated LUFS.

For testing, I imported a WAV of a bluegrass banjo track into a virgin CWBB project.
Using Youlean, I adjusted the integrated LUFS to my normal working LUFS value.
I exported the WAV with all gains and faders at zero, and no effects in the project.

Youlean file analysis shows the exported WAV having the identical LUFS it was created with.
After importing that new file back into CWBB, Youlean shows it exactly at +3.0dB louder.

I cannot figure out the reason for this.

[David Baay]

Is the original track mono, and the export is stereo from the Master Bus/Main Outs/Entire Mix?

I've just verified Youlean shows a loudness 3dB lower on a mono source track than on the stereo bus that it's playing/exporting through though both show the same peak level. Right offhand I'm not sure whether this is a quirk of Youlean or just the nature of loudness measurment when going from a mono track to a stereo output, but I would guess the latter.

EDIT: Google says it is indeed the case that perceived and measured loudness will increase 3dB going from mono to stereo, and I verified that using a -3dB Center Pan Law (Preferences > Audio > Driver Settings) will result in Youlean showing the same LUFS  on the bus as on the track.

 

Edited March 12 by David Baay