What is Clipping?
Clipping occurs when audio signal exceeds the maximum level a digital system can represent (0 dBFS), causing harsh distortion. The waveform's peaks are literally "clipped" off, creating a flat top that introduces unwanted harmonics and sounds like crackling, buzzing, or distortion.
How Clipping Happens
Normal audio: Signal peaks at -3 dBFS → Clean reproduction
Clipped audio: Signal tries to reach +3 dBFS → Clipped at 0 dBFS → Distortion
Visual Identification
Clean waveform:
╱╲ ╱╲
╱ ╲ ╱ ╲
╱ ╲╱ ╲
╱ ╲
Clipped waveform:
████ ████
╱ ╲ ╱ ╲
╱ ╲╱ ╲
The flat tops indicate where the signal exceeded the limit.
Types of Clipping
| Type | Cause | Sound | Fixable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital clipping | Signal > 0 dBFS | Harsh, buzzy | No |
| Analog clipping | Input too hot | Softer distortion | Depends |
| Inter-sample peaks | Peaks between samples | Subtle harshness | Limiter helps |
Preventing Clipping
During recording:
- Set input gain so peaks reach -12 to -6 dBFS
- Leave headroom for unexpected loud moments
- Use 24-bit recording for more dynamic range
- Monitor levels constantly
During mixing:
- Watch master bus levels
- Use limiters as safety net
- Gain stage properly through the chain
Recording Level Guidelines
| Level | Status |
|---|---|
| -20 dBFS | Too quiet (adds noise when boosted) |
| -12 dBFS | Ideal average for speech |
| -6 dBFS | Comfortable peaks |
| -3 dBFS | Getting close |
| 0 dBFS | Danger zone |
| > 0 dBFS | Clipping (distortion) |
Why It Matters
Clipping is one of the few audio problems that cannot be fixed in post-production. Once audio clips during recording, that distortion is permanent—there's no way to recover the original waveform.
Why clipping prevention is critical:
-
Irreversible damage: No plugin, AI, or editing can reconstruct clipped audio.
-
Listener perception: Clipping sounds harsh and amateurish—immediately noticeable.
-
Cumulative problem: Even brief clips add up to an exhausting listen over an hour.
-
Recording vs. editing: It's trivial to boost a quiet recording, impossible to fix a clipped one.
The recording philosophy:
| Approach | Recording Level | Post-Production |
|---|---|---|
| ❌ Wrong | Hot (peaks at 0 dB) | "I'll fix it later" (can't) |
| ✓ Right | Conservative (-12 dB average) | Boost with headroom to spare |
Why professionals record quiet:
- 24-bit recording has 144 dB of dynamic range—plenty of room
- Boosting a quiet signal adds negligible noise
- Clipping a hot signal adds permanent distortion
- You can always add gain; you can't remove clipping
The only exception: Analog hardware (tape, preamps) can add pleasing "saturation" when driven hot. But digital clipping is never musical—only harsh.