What is radio clipping?

Clipping is distortion in the signal from the amplifier to the speaker that is caused when one or more of the waveforms that represent the many instruments and voices in a music signal are driven at levels to the speakers beyond maximum amplifier levels.

What is audio clipping in radio?

Audio Clipping Defined In the simplest sense, audio clipping is a form of waveform distortion. When an amplifier is pushed beyond its maximum limit, it goes into overdrive. The overdriven signal causes the amplifier to attempt to produce an output voltage beyond its capability, which is when clipping occurs.

What does clipping do in audio?

Clipping is a form of waveform distortion that occurs when an amplifier is overdriven and attempts to deliver an output voltage or current beyond its maximum capability. Driving an amplifier into clipping may cause it to output power in excess of its power rating.

How much clipping is OK?

I would say set it normally, 3/4 volume on the head unit and you should set the gain so that you’re just about clipping. This ought to maximize the power you’re using but keep your amp from unnecessarily clipping when you turn it up. It might also be good to get the remote level control.

How do I stop clipping?

You avoid clipping by making sure your input levels are always below the maximum. I like to pick a target value to aim for (in digital, usually -12 or -18 dB depending on where the noise floor is) and try to keep it there.

Why does my mix keep clipping?

Transients are very common in percussion sounds, but can also be found in snappy sounding instruments like funky guitars or plucked synth sounds. These quick sounds can sit above the rest of the mix sounds, and sometimes so much so they cause clipping.

Is a little clipping OK for a subwoofer?

So you can use it to set your gains a little higher and cut it some with the knob. That way for songs where the bass is recorded light you can turn it up a little and if it’s too strong and you start to hear some distortion you can back it off a little. Don’t use it as a volume knob though.