glossary
Your DAW stores samples, but playback reconstructs a curve. The highest point can live between the dots.
An inter-sample peak is a reconstructed signal peak that rises higher than the individual sample values shown by a standard digital meter.
A sample peak meter can say the master stays below 0 dBFS while a converter, codec, or oversampled limiter reveals a higher peak during playback.
Lossy encoding and sample-rate conversion can expose inter-sample peaks, especially on loud masters with aggressive limiting or bright transients.
That is why delivery specs often recommend leaving true peak margin instead of setting a limiter ceiling right at full scale.
True peak meters oversample the signal to estimate what happens between stored samples. They are not magic, but they are a better delivery check than sample peak alone.
If the sample peak looks safe but the true peak is too close to full scale, lower the ceiling or ease the limiting before export.