diff --git a/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h b/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h
index ebf016fc..5074df00 100644
--- a/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h
+++ b/usermods/audioreactive/audio_reactive.h
@@ -563,6 +563,7 @@ void FFTcode(void * parameter)
         }
       }
     }
+    newZeroCrossingCount = (newZeroCrossingCount*2)/3; // reduce value so it typicially stays below 256
     zeroCrossingCount = newZeroCrossingCount; // update only once, to avoid that effects pick up an intermediate value
 
     // release highest sample to volume reactive effects early - not strictly necessary here - could also be done at the end of the function