Microphone Distortion & Clipping Test

What is audio clipping?

Digital audio uses 0 dBFS as the absolute ceiling. When input amplitude exceeds this limit, the analog-to-digital converter squares off the peaks of the sound wave. This irreversible damage sounds like harsh crackling or buzzing.

How to fix: Speak at your loudest expected volume during this test. If the CLIP indicator lights up red, reduce your operating system microphone input volume or move 2-4 inches back from the microphone.

How to test your loudest real voice

1. Place the microphone where it normally sits and select your usual input.
2. Speak a normal sentence, then repeat it at the loudest level you expect to use.
3. Watch the peak and clipping indicators instead of testing with a tap or artificial shout.
4. Lower input gain or increase the distance slightly, then repeat until loud phrases stay below the ceiling.

A red peak during one unusually loud sound does not mean the microphone is broken. Repeated clipping during ordinary speech means the signal is too strong somewhere before the browser receives it. Check a hardware gain knob, audio interface preamp, operating-system input level, and any automatic gain control used by a call app.

Clipping, static, or a damaged connection?

Clipping usually follows your voice and becomes worse on louder syllables. A steady buzz or random crackle can instead come from a cable, connector, USB port, wireless link, or electrical interference. Record a short sample with the mic test recorder. If the meter stays below the clipping threshold but the replay still crackles, continue with the microphone static guide.