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The Elio Engine

Muzhik

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I recall when I worked as an audio engineer, we always made sure to keep the peak levels well below 100% in order to prevent clipping of the audio wave.
 

Muzhik

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That's what they make compressor/limiters for.
Which, by definition, since they're altering the original waveform, introduce distortion into the output.

Clipping (more than 100% of amplitude levels) produces square waves, which are interpreted as a buzzing (due to a large harmonic content) or simply distortion. Compressors/limiters keep the waveform (or attempt to keep it) from exceeding 100%, but do that by changing the shape and thus changing the resulting sound. By definition, that is distortion. It's one of the main complaints about the Dolby Noise Reduction system, which is so ubiquitous now that most people don't even notice any distortion, because they're used to hearing recorded music sound that way.
 

Elio Amazed

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Which, by definition, since they're altering the original waveform, introduce distortion into the output.
All true, but regardless, they prevent a lot of blown drivers from clipping due to unanticipated high peaks and/or when it's necessary to operate near the clipping threshold to produce adequate SPL for the environment. And the better professional ones don't sound too horribly bad doing it.
 
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