The DISTORTION caused when the GAIN of an amplifier is increased to a point where the high points, or peaks, of the SIGNAL or WAVEFORM are cut off at a level where the amplifying circuits are driven beyond their overload point. Also called over-MODULATION.
Peak clipping may be avoided by gain reduction, COMPRESSION of the signal, or by the use of a LIMITER.
Compare: RECTIFICATION, SWITCH.
Positive and negative clipping of a sine wave.
Sound
Example: Peak clipping of a sine wave
when raised beyond the overload point of an analog
mixer.
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