Oversampling

Definition

The internal processing of audio at a multiple of the operating sample rate to reduce aliasing distortion introduced by non-linear processing such as saturation, distortion, and limiting. The signal is upsampled before processing and returned to the original sample rate after.

In Simple Terms

A technique plugins use internally to avoid digital artifacts when processing your audio. You don't need to do anything-just look for the oversampling option in your saturation or limiter plugin and enable it if your CPU can handle it.

In Practice

A saturation plugin running at 4x oversampling processes audio internally at 192 kHz before returning it to 48 kHz, preventing aliasing artifacts that the non-linear clipping algorithm would otherwise introduce.

Sources & Verification

• →
  Pohlmann, K. C.. Principles of Digital Audio (6th ed., oversampling chapter)
  McGraw-Hill, 2011
• →
  Watkinson, J.. The Art of Digital Audio (3rd ed.)
  Focal Press, 2001

Last verified: 2026-05-05

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