To add to the above explanations, often there are amplifier stages (pre-amps) that come before the amplifier you can adjust with the dial on your camera. Those can be overloaded and clip, and since that happens before the amp you can adjust, it’s still distorted regardless where the meter reads. It is similar to what Jordan explained about the internal mic clipping. You can fight this by placing a pad (it’s an in-line device which reduces the audio level by 10, 20, 30 db) in the line before you plug into the camera. Ty’s suggestion of using a mixer like the SD-302 is a good one since you can use the mixer’s functions to do the same thing – control the level of the audio reaching the camera. It also has excellent limiters that do the same kind of thing – prevent audio from going over a certain threshold point.
John
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