If you ARE clipping, it's on the V3, it is pretty forgiving, unless you're slamming the CLIP constantly. Clipping doesn't occur on the JB3, all it does is record 1's & 0's. I say "forgiving" on the V3, as the occasional clip doesn't result in the crunchy/static-y digi-noise we're accoustomed to hearing when you clip an A/D. Since it lacks the compression that mini-me's have, I suspect they calibrate thier clip a little lower than actual hard clip on the A/D.
Rick
Well, not really. The V3 may have a different calibration level than we are used to, but it is not lower than a hard clip on the A/D. The V3 bases its clip lights on the digital signal--I think it is 3 straight peak samples equals a clip. By using the digital signal, it is EXTREMELY accurate. And people find it "forgiving" since there is no way our ears can hear it when only 3 samples have gone over resulting in clipping. So when the clip meters on the V3 have just barely been triggered, it will not be audible, but even then you can see the distortion if you look at the waveform in an audio editor. Others A/D units with less accurate clip meters may easily have a much worse bought of clipping before they are set off, so you may more readily be able to hear it on your tapes.
Most A/D converters, like those onboard Sony portable DAT decks, the DAP1, the SBM1, etc, use analog metering. So they use the analog signal going into the A/D converter stage to determine if it is at a voltage level that will be too high for the converter stage and will result in digital clipping. This method of metering is far less accurate. Mfgs can try their best, but individual variation from player to player will mean that the firing of the clip indicators is never consistent. I have numerous times had the clip indicators on my M1 go off, when my V3 indicates all is well and good. When I get the recording home and look at it in CoolEdit, sure enough, the V3 was right and there was no clipping--no distortion of the waveform.
Time for some V3 fluffing: it is this level of attention to detail and design implementation that makes the V3 rule.
-Todd