Distortion can be a deliberate part of a sound, or an unwanted roughness that appears when a voice, instrument or mix gets too loud. Before mastering, find out whether the distortion is in the source, the mix, the exported file or your playback setup. The right fix depends on where you hear it first.
Start with the exact moment
Note the timestamp and the sound that draws your attention. A crackle on every loud vocal word suggests a different investigation from a fuzzy chorus affecting the whole mix. Listen to the same passage at a comfortable level on another pair of headphones or speakers. If the sound appears only on one device, check its volume and connection before changing your music.
Compare the source and the export
Listen to the original recording or source file, then to the version you exported. If the sound is present in the source, lowering the exported file’s volume will not remove it. Return to an earlier clean recording or export if you have one. If the distortion appears only in the export, check the final mix and export settings, then make a fresh copy.
In a multitrack session, listen to the suspected vocal or instrument on its own, then add the other parts back. Check the loudest section as well as the quieter parts. If the issue appears only when everything plays together, inspect the overall mix level and any processing on the combined output.
Check for clipping
Clipping can happen when a signal exceeds the limit of the equipment or output handling it, producing distortion. It can be used deliberately for a particular sound, but accidental clipping can also make peaks sound harsh. iZotope’s explanation of clipping describes both uses.
If your editor shows a peak or clipping indicator, play the affected passage and check where the warning appears. Reduce the level before the point where the problem occurs, then listen again. Turning down a later output may make the result quieter while leaving earlier distortion intact. Compare with the source rather than relying on the meter alone.
Decide whether the mix is ready
If one part is the problem, fix it in the recording or mix if you can. A finished stereo file gives you less control over individual sounds, and no cleanup can promise to restore every lost detail. Keep your original file and compare any revision at a similar listening level.
When the mix sounds right, preview a master and listen for any change in the difficult passage. Mastering cannot reliably remove distortion already in the mix. Our mix and master comparison guide walks through a fair listening test.
Final check
Listen to the whole chosen export, including the start and end. Check the previously troublesome timestamp once more and save the final file beside the source. If you cannot fix the problem in the original session, document what you hear and keep the best available version rather than repeatedly processing the file without a clear improvement.