True Peak

Definition

A measurement standard that accounts for intersample peaks, real peak levels occurring during digital-to-analog conversion that can exceed values reported by standard sample peak meters. Expressed as dBTP.

In Simple Terms

The real loudest point in your audio, not what your meter shows, but what actually happens during playback. Set your limiter to -1 dBTP to catch these hidden peaks and prevent distortion on streaming platforms.

In Practice

A true peak limiter is used in mastering to set the ceiling at -1.0 dBTP, ensuring no intersample peaks exceed this level during playback or streaming encoding.

Sources & Verification

• →
  ITU-R BS.1770-4, Annex 2. True-peak level meter
  International Telecommunication Union, 2015
  https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BS.1770
• →
  EBU Tech 3341. Loudness Metering: 'EBU Mode' metering to supplement loudness normalisation in accordance with EBU R 128
  European Broadcasting Union, 2016
  https://tech.ebu.ch/publications/tech3341
• →
  Intersample peaks in digital audio (convention paper)
  Audio Engineering Society
  https://www.aes.org

Last verified: 2026-04-25

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