Clipping - How Distortion Affects Sound Systems
Clipping is when an amplifier has reached its maximum output capacity yet tries to keep up with the input signal gain ratio between the signal source “HU” and Amp. The amplifyer hits an imaginary wall whereby the output signal is no longer a symetrical replication of the input signal. The wave form in, does not match the wave form out in shape or amplitude. (you can see this easily if you had a A/B channel oscilloscope; channel A connected to the amp input, channel B to amp output) The only difference you should see between channel A & B are signal amplitude values. If the signal shape varies considerably in channel B, you have a problem with clipping.