Preventing clipping in audio signal processing

1. How do you prevent audio clipping?
2. What causes an audio signal to clip?
3. What is prevent clipping?

How do you prevent audio clipping?

The best way to avoid clipping is to make sure your signal levels have plenty of room before the limit as you work. This practice is called gain staging and it's the key to keeping good headroom throughout your workflow.

What causes an audio signal to clip?

Clipping occurs when more power is required from an amplifier then it is able to deliver. Once the maximum amount of power supply voltage has been reached, it becomes impossible to amplify the incoming signal without compromising its form. This means that the signal is amplified but in a very distorted form.

What is prevent clipping?

Avoiding clipping

The simplest way to avoid clipping is to reduce the signal level. Alternatively the system can be improved to support higher signal level without clipping. Some audiophiles will use amplifiers that are rated for power outputs over twice the speaker's ratings.