Glossary
True peak
The real highest level of an audio waveform, including the peaks that fall between digital samples. Measured in dBTP.
Updated
True peak is the highest level an audio waveform actually reaches, including the peaks that occur between digital samples. It is measured in dBTP (decibels true peak). A normal peak meter only looks at the stored sample values; when the audio is converted back to a continuous signal, the waveform can overshoot between two samples. A true-peak meter estimates those in-between peaks by oversampling the signal, as described in the ITU-R BS.1770 standard.
Why it matters for social video
Platforms re-encode every upload to compressed audio. Encoding and decoding can push intersample peaks higher, and anything above 0 dBFS clips, which sounds like crackle or harsh distortion, often on the loudest and most important moment: the drop, the impact, the logo hit.
Keeping the true peak at or below -1 dBTP leaves headroom for that. Together with a loudness target of about -14 LUFS integrated, it is a common and safe setting for Reels, TikToks and Shorts. See LUFS for the loudness side.
Sample peak versus true peak
| Reading | What it measures | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Sample peak | The highest stored sample value | dBFS |
| True peak | The highest level of the reconstructed waveform | dBTP |
| Integrated loudness | Perceived loudness over the whole mix | LUFS |
A mix can show -0.2 dBFS on a sample peak meter and still have a true peak above 0 dBTP.
How to measure and fix it
FFmpeg reports the true peak along with loudness:
ffmpeg -i renders/final.mp4 -af ebur128=peak=true -f null -
If it is above -1 dBTP, lower the element that causes it (often an impact, a bass drop or a crash) or put a true-peak limiter on the final mix. Then measure again.
In Motion Cheat Code
The pack's music tracks are mixed with the true peak below -1 dBTP, and the sound effects peak at -1 dBFS. Stacking several loud sounds at once can still push a mix over, which is one more reason to give each hit its own moment and to measure the final render.
Questions
What is a safe true peak for Reels and TikTok?
At or below -1 dBTP. That leaves room for the platform's encoding without clipping.
Is 0 dBFS on my meter safe?
Not quite. A sample peak meter can read below 0 dBFS while the true peak between samples is above it. Use a true-peak reading and keep it at or below -1 dBTP.
How do I lower the true peak without making the mix quieter?
Use a true-peak limiter on the final mix, or lower the loudest element, often an impact or a bass drop, by a decibel or two. Small changes at the peaks rarely change how loud the whole mix feels.