iTunes downloads clipped like crazy

[gmoxley1]

So I use audacity to look at and alter some songs to play just for fun and I've noticed that all my songs that were downloaded from iTunes when put into audacity are clipped, according to audacity. Is audacity that reliable because the songs that I record in audacity sound much better at high levels than the ones straight from itunes.

Thanks!

[TRON]

If you're just viewing the waveform, Audacity is fine. Believe me, I've bought clipped music on iTunes before too. Depends on what artist, genre, and label.

Mixtapes and dub-step are generally clipped to shit because they stick a limiter on the bass, ramp up the threshold and put a clamp on the compression ratio. Basically, they cause it to digitally clip, then send their shit out to iTunes.

Edit: Of course, if you're buying from a reputable label, then there's something else wrong.

[Baydestrian]

Its not the Source of the DL of the Source of the Mastering...also view clipping isn't what you want to go by, you want to view the waveforms by zooming in or by using Windows Media Player using the Scope visual and watching for the flat spots in the waves.