glossary
True peak catches peaks that can appear between samples after playback or encoding.
A sample-peak meter only reads the stored digital samples. A true-peak meter estimates the reconstructed waveform between those samples, where the actual playback level can rise higher.
Those inter-sample peaks matter because converters and codecs may clip even when the sample peak meter never reaches 0 dBFS.
Streaming services encode your audio into delivery formats. That conversion can create extra peak level, especially on loud, bright, or heavily limited material.
Leaving true-peak margin helps the master survive encoding without harsh overs. Many streaming workflows use a ceiling around -1 dBTP as a practical starting point.
Check true peak after the final limiter and after any export step that can change the signal. Sample peak alone is not enough for delivery decisions.
Meter Core shows true peak beside LUFS so you can balance loudness, ceiling, and codec safety in one view.