A method for decoding audio during playback processing, comprising: receiving an encoded audio signal; receiving metadata associated with the encoded audio signal, the metadata including a plurality of dynamic range control, DRC, gain values and an index of a previously selected DRC characteristic in accordance with which the DRC gain values were computed when the encoded audio signal was being generated; decoding the encoded audio signal to produce a decoded audio signal; selecting a current DRC characteristic from amongst a plurality of available DRC characteristics, in accordance with the index, and producing new DRC gain values based on the current DRC characteristic by i) applying the plurality of DRC gain values from the metadata to the current DRC characteristic thereby inverting the operations previously performed by a DRC processor at an encoding stage to obtain a plurality of short-term loudness or DRC input levels, ii) selecting a decoding stage DRC characteristic from amongst a plurality of decoding stage DRC characteristics, and iii) applying the plurality of short-term loudness or DRC input levels, obtained in i), to the selected decoding stage DRC characteristic to generate the new DRC gain values; and applying the new DRC gain values to the decoded audio signal to produce a DRC adjusted audio signal during playback processing. receiving an encoded audio signal; receiving metadata associated with the encoded audio signal, the metadata including a plurality of dynamic range control, DRC, gain values and an index of a previously selected DRC characteristic in accordance with which the DRC gain values were computed when the encoded audio signal was being generated; decoding the encoded audio signal to produce a decoded audio signal; selecting a current DRC characteristic from amongst a plurality of available DRC characteristics, in accordance with the index, and producing new DRC gain values based on the current DRC characteristic by i) applying the plurality of DRC gain values from the metadata to the current DRC characteristic thereby inverting the operations previously performed by a DRC processor at an encoding stage to obtain a plurality of short-term loudness or DRC input levels, ii) selecting a decoding stage DRC characteristic from amongst a plurality of decoding stage DRC characteristics, and iii) applying the plurality of short-term loudness or DRC input levels, obtained in i), to the selected decoding stage DRC characteristic to generate the new DRC gain values; and i) applying the plurality of DRC gain values from the metadata to the current DRC characteristic thereby inverting the operations previously performed by a DRC processor at an encoding stage to obtain a plurality of short-term loudness or DRC input levels, ii) selecting a decoding stage DRC characteristic from amongst a plurality of decoding stage DRC characteristics, and iii) applying the plurality of short-term loudness or DRC input levels, obtained in i), to the selected decoding stage DRC characteristic to generate the new DRC gain values; and applying the new DRC gain values to the decoded audio signal to produce a DRC adjusted audio signal during playback processing.