True Peak & Inter-Sample Clipping
Published June 2026 · 6 min read
When digital audio is converted back to analog signals by digital-to-analog converters (DACs) or compressed into lossy codecs like AAC, MP3, or Opus, inter-sample peaks can exceed 0 dBFS even if sample-level peaks report no digital clipping.
Why True Peak Matters for Streaming
Major streaming services compress your audio into lossy distribution formats. If your true peak exceeds their recommended ceiling (typically -1.0 dBTP), the lossy encoder will clip the reconstruction waveform, introducing harsh digital distortion (clicks, fuzz, and pumping).
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak Ceiling | Safety Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | -14.0 | -1.0 dBTP | Safe |
| Apple Music | -16.0 | -1.0 dBTP | Safe |
| YouTube | -14.0 | -1.0 dBTP | Safe |
| Amazon Music | -14.0 | -2.0 dBTP | Strict |
| TIDAL | -14.0 | -1.0 dBTP | Safe |
How CoProducer Detects True Peak
CoProducer calculates True Peak and estimates clipped samples during its core analysis pass. If your track exhibits unsafe true peaks or inter-sample clipping, CoProducer flags it in the findings report and recommends a precise limiter or loudnorm ceiling adjustment.