You might be clipping the mic preamps in your audio interface. So, if your record level reaches -1 dB in RMS meter mode, it might actually be over zero (clipping) in peak meter mode. Peak levels are always higher than RMS levels. The RMS levels show approximately how loud the signal is. The peak levels show how close the signal is to clipping. Reply: Make sure to set your record meters and playback meters to read peak levels, not RMS levels. (1) When I record myself or our band, I’m clipping the waveform even though I’m not exceeding 0 dB at the top of the level meter.
