A method for using encoder-generated metadata in audio decoding operations, the method comprising: receiving, by an audio decoder (14, 521), a bitstream comprising: - an input audio signal encoded for an audio channel configuration, the input audio signal including audio samples; and - the encoder-generated metadata (13, 513, 515), the encoder-generated metadata comprising: - a first loudness related value; - a plurality of gain values in accordance with a dynamic range control profile that defines the operational characteristics of a dynamic range compressor; and - parameters that identify a number of audio channels and the audio channel configuration; converting the audio samples into an output audio signal with a target output level, the converting comprising: - performing dynamic range control using said plurality of gain values, thereby yielding dynamic range controlled audio samples; - converting said first loudness related value to a second loudness related value based on a reversible relationship configured to convert first loudness related values determined according to a first procedure into second loudness related values determined according to a second procedure; - deriving a gain value from the target output level and the second loudness related value; and - applying said gain value to the dynamic range controlled audio samples. receiving, by an audio decoder (14, 521), a bitstream comprising: - an input audio signal encoded for an audio channel configuration, the input audio signal including audio samples; and - the encoder-generated metadata (13, 513, 515), the encoder-generated metadata comprising: - a first loudness related value; - a plurality of gain values in accordance with a dynamic range control profile that defines the operational characteristics of a dynamic range compressor; and - parameters that identify a number of audio channels and the audio channel configuration; - an input audio signal encoded for an audio channel configuration, the input audio signal including audio samples; and - the encoder-generated metadata (13, 513, 515), the encoder-generated metadata comprising: - a first loudness related value; - a plurality of gain values in accordance with a dynamic range control profile that defines the operational characteristics of a dynamic range compressor; and - parameters that identify a number of audio channels and the audio channel configuration; - a first loudness related value; - a plurality of gain values in accordance with a dynamic range control profile that defines the operational characteristics of a dynamic range compressor; and - parameters that identify a number of audio channels and the audio channel configuration; converting the audio samples into an output audio signal with a target output level, the converting comprising: - performing dynamic range control using said plurality of gain values, thereby yielding dynamic range controlled audio samples; - converting said first loudness related value to a second loudness related value based on a reversible relationship configured to convert first loudness related values determined according to a first procedure into second loudness related values determined according to a second procedure; - deriving a gain value from the target output level and the second loudness related value; and - applying said gain value to the dynamic range controlled audio samples. - performing dynamic range control using said plurality of gain values, thereby yielding dynamic range controlled audio samples; - converting said first loudness related value to a second loudness related value based on a reversible relationship configured to convert first loudness related values determined according to a first procedure into second loudness related values determined according to a second procedure; - deriving a gain value from the target output level and the second loudness related value; and - applying said gain value to the dynamic range controlled audio samples.