My voice is clipping but the level meter isn't full

When working with mixing boards and digital audio interfaces, each link in the chain needs to be set up correctly, otherwise we can end up with audio distortion and a poor viewer experience. This article will show you how to test that your setup is gained correctly, so each piece of hardware isn't introducing distortion.

TL;DR;

You need to decrease the volume (gain) on your external audio hardware (Mixing board/audio interface) and increase your system sound settings. You can find instructions on how to find your system audio settings here.

What is clipping?

Digital audio has a set range of values that it can record for each sample. This is represented by the level meter, a 0 value is at the bottom of the meter, and the maximum value is at the top of the meter. Clipping occurs when the audio signal extends beyond the maximum possible value, which means we can't accurately capture the voice signal. The result is a "cut-off" audio wave, which sounds terrible. You can see examples below.

Audio recording that is not clipping

Audio recording that is clipping

Each piece of hardware in your signal chain can gain the signal. This means each stage can increase or decrease the height (amplitude) of the signal. If you are seeing the warning message that brought you to this article, you have a chain that is over-gained on an early step, then decreasing on a later step. The diagram below shows how this can occur.

Workflow showing intermediate signal distortion

Solutions

To solve this problem, we need to ensure we are below our max level all the way through our signal chain.

1. If your external hardware has a visual level meter, use that to guide your adjustments
2. If you have no visual level meter, try increasing your system volume to maximum and using the Spalk level meter as a guide
3. Using the external hardware gain slider or dial, decrease it until the signal is not clipping, even when you speak at maximum volume.
4. Set the system input level so it is not attenuating (decreasing) the signal, and you are always in the green bars in the Spalk studio.
5. Commentate with clear audio and happy listeners 😀

Happy broadcasting!