Amplify Effect

[mikeborok]

When I use this effect and select Allow Clipping, what does this do? When I look at the waveform in general it does not seem to be a straight clip i.e. not a square waveform. So is this actually a compressor/limiter? And if so, how does it compare to just selecting the Compressor or the Limiter (with soft/hard limit or clip options) effects? If not, is there actually clipping being done, i.e. just chopping off volume spikes?

Thanks.
Mike
Aud 2.1.3

[DVDdoug]

Audacity is actually warning you about potential clipping. Audacity uses floating point so it has virtually no upper (or lower) limit. But, "regular" WAV files, CDs, digital-to-analog converters, and analog-to-digital converters are all hard-limited to 0dB.

If you export to WAV, the WAV will be clipped. If you play it a full-digital volume you'll clip your DAC, etc.

[mikeborok]

When I look at the waveform of an exported .wav file which was created via significant clipping in Amplify (say about 4dB more than a non-clipping amplification) I don't see any square waves. How can I verify that the signal was clipped and not compressed?

Also, looking for feedback on my question re Compressor and Limiter options in Audacity.

Thanks.

Mike