problem
Bright consonants and dense processing can create peaks that are easy to miss.
Consonants, breaths, sibilance, saturation, and bright EQ can create fast vocal peaks that register higher as true peak than sample peak.
When the vocal sits forward, those peaks can reach the mix bus and trigger overs even if the average vocal loudness feels right.
Bypass de-essing, saturation, and bright EQ one at a time while watching true peak. Also check whether vocal sends are adding sharp reflections.
If overs happen only on certain words, the solution may be clip gain or automation rather than global limiting.
Use clip gain, de-essing, gentle saturation control, or a focused limiter before the mix bus so the final limiter does not clamp the whole mix.
Meter Core helps keep vocal true-peak control visible while preserving presence and intelligibility.