Peak level for stereo tracks (vs mono)

[Dr_Willie_OBGYN]

I'm just mixing down an audio track for a youtube video. What is the maximum db level for each L and R side of the file when normalizing it? It seems that with a mono track you can normalize a higher db.

 

[bouldersound]

I make the maximum peak -1dB true peak overall, without worrying which channel it is. For YouTube I make the level -14dBLUFS integrated.

 

[kmetal]

I'll set a maximizer to brickwall at -0.3 to -0.5

Im noticing more engineers saying they ignore lufs, but i have not experimented in that area yet.