Audio is loud, distorted, or clipping

This Can Help Solve

• Audio distortion and clipping in the Studio
• High-quality recording tracks with distortion and clipping (before another recording session)

NOTE: Distortion and Clipping
Audio distortion, also known as clipping, occurs when the input gain or volume is set too high or there is a sudden increase in volume from the source. It generally cannot be fixed in post-production. 

Suggested Troubleshooting Steps

Adjust audio sensitivity and mic gain

• Ask the person whose audio is distorted to adjust the sensitivity of their microphone input on their computer or directly on their external microphone if it has physical a knob or dial.

Mind your Ps and Ks: Use a Pop Filter or move the mic

Saying some words requires pushing air out of your mouth, especially those words with hard P, B, C, K, Sh, and Ch sounds. When speaking very close to a microphone, the forceful exhale of air can blow directly into the mic, causing clipping and distortion. This sounds similar to hearing wind on a phone call when someone is talking on the phone outside.

• The person whose audio is clipping when they say these 'plosive' sounds should move their mic further away from their mouth.
  • They can also try projecting their words next to the microphone, rather than directly into it.
• They can also attach a pop filter to the microphone that acts as a shield to block some of the direct flow of air.