ClipHack — Clip Prep for macOS

Broadcast Clip Prep for macOS

Prepares broadcast clips for use in a mix. Drop in a news clip, promo, or insert — ClipHack levels the dynamics, normalizes loudness, and brick-wall limits peaks in one pass.

Download v1.7.1 Manual

macOS 14 Sonoma or later · Apple Silicon & Intel · Free

For your own raw recordings before editing, use WaxOn.

ClipHack

Ready to Drop

Configure your settings once, then drop files in. ClipHack processes each file in sequence — queue up a batch and walk away.

ClipHack empty state showing settings panel

Before Processing

Raw file loaded with clipping at 0.0 dBFS. Color-coded warnings flag the peak and noise floor before you touch a setting.

After Processing

Same file after processing with settings dialed in for the content. Peak pulled back to −3.8 dBFS, LUFS normalized to −18 — ready to deliver.

ClipHack showing processed file with output stats

Features

What It Does

Each stage is optional — except the final limiter. Run what you need, skip what you don't.

Noise Reduction

RNNoise neural network model (arnndn) — removes broadband background noise: hiss, room tone, HVAC. Applied per-channel on stereo files so the stereo image survives intact.

Level Audio

Dynamic leveling via FFmpeg's dynaudnorm — evens out level variation across a clip without compressor pumping. Five aggressiveness presets from Gentle to Aggressive.

Loudness Norm

Two-pass EBU R128 loudness normalization to a configurable target (−30 to −14 LUFS). Linear gain only — dynamics are fully preserved. −16 LUFS is a common podcast insertion target.

Brick-Wall Limiting

2× oversampled true peak limiting at a configurable ceiling (−6 to −1 dB). Always applied as the final stage. Keeps transients honest without audible artifacts.

Channel Selection

For mono output, choose Left or Right. Uses an explicit pan filter — not a downmix average — so you get exactly the channel you want.

Stereo Output

Optionally force stereo output. Upmixes mono sources to dual-mono stereo. When off, all output is mono — useful for clips that only need a single channel.

LUFS Measurement

Full ITU-R BS.1770 gated loudness displayed per file after analysis. Noise floor detection warns when high background noise may affect level accuracy.

Batch Processing

Drop multiple files at once. ClipHack processes them in parallel with per-file progress. Drag and drop onto the window or use the file list directly.

Output: {name}-{rate}{nr-}{leveled-}{norm-}clipped-{limit}dB.wav · 24-bit WAV

Pipeline

Processing Order

Every stage runs in sequence. Noise reduction comes first so the leveler and normalizer see clean audio. The limiter is always last.

Source File → Resample → Noise Reduction → Level Audio → Loudness Norm → Limiter → Output

Supported formats: WAV, AIFF, AIF, MP3, FLAC, M4A, OGG, Opus, CAF, WMA, AAC, MP4, MOV. FFmpeg is bundled — no separate installation required.