# What Is an Inter-Sample Peak? > A peak that exists between the samples your meter actually measures. Here's why it matters, why standard meters miss it, and how to protect against it. [All guides](/blog) # What Is an Inter-Sample Peak? Published 10 September 2026, 08:00 UTC · updated 31 August 2026, 13:05 UTC · by Loopin A standard peak meter only measures the exact samples in a digital file — but when that file gets converted to analog or a different format, the actual waveform can peak higher between those samples than the meter ever showed you. ## Why this gap exists Digital audio stores a series of discrete sample points, and playback reconstructs a smooth waveform between them. If two adjacent samples are both near maximum level, the reconstructed curve between them can actually exceed what either individual sample measured — a peak that's real in the reconstructed signal but invisible to a meter only reading sample values. This is a genuine acoustic and technical phenomenon, not a meter malfunction — it's simply measuring something different from what a true-peak meter measures. ## Why it causes real problems A file that reads as clean on a standard peak meter can still clip during D/A conversion, or distort during a lossy format conversion like MP3 encoding, specifically because of this gap between measured and actual peak level. This is why a track can sound fine in your DAW and distort slightly after being converted for streaming. The distortion this causes is often subtle rather than dramatic — a slight harshness or grain rather than an obvious crackle — which makes it easy to miss without specifically checking for it. ## How true-peak metering solves this A true-peak meter, denoted dBTP, oversamples the signal to estimate what the reconstructed waveform actually peaks at between samples, rather than only reading the discrete sample values. This gives a more accurate picture of what will happen during conversion or lossy encoding. Most modern mastering limiters include a true-peak mode or a dedicated true-peak ceiling setting — use it instead of relying on a standard peak meter alone. ## The practical target Setting your limiter's true-peak ceiling to −1 dBTP leaves enough headroom to absorb this inter-sample effect safely, which is why this specific number shows up as standard mastering guidance across nearly every genre and platform. Going right up to 0 dBTP, even if a standard peak meter shows headroom, is where inter-sample peaks most commonly cause audible problems after conversion. ## How to check if this has already affected a finished file Load a suspect file into a true-peak-capable meter or analyzer and look specifically for readings above 0 dBTP, even if the file's standard peak reading looks fine. If you find this, the safest fix is going back to the master with a proper −1 dBTP ceiling set, rather than trying to correct an already-exported file after the fact. This check is worth doing on any master before final delivery, especially ones mastered without an explicit true-peak setting engaged. ## Frequently asked questions ### What's the difference between a standard peak and a true peak? A standard peak meter only reads the exact digital sample values. A true-peak meter estimates the actual reconstructed waveform between samples, which can be higher -- this gap is what causes clipping during format conversion even when a standard meter shows headroom. ### Why does my track distort slightly after converting to MP3 even though it sounded clean in my DAW? This is a common symptom of inter-sample peaks -- the file measured clean on a standard peak meter but exceeded 0 dBTP in the reconstructed waveform, causing subtle distortion during lossy format conversion. ### What true-peak ceiling should I use to avoid this? -1 dBTP is standard mastering guidance across most genres and platforms. It leaves enough headroom to absorb inter-sample peaks safely during format conversion or D/A playback. ## Related reads - [Master your track free](/mastering) - [Why Suno songs clip when you export them](/blog/why-suno-songs-clip-on-export) - [What is LUFS?](/mastering/what-is-lufs) --- Source: https://onloopin.com/blog/what-is-an-intersample-peak