Peak Clipping

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.