Methods and corresponding systems for reducing a peak-to-average signal ratio include determining peak and null samples of a symbol. Thereafter, an error signal is calculated that is responsive to the peak and null samples. In one embodiment the error signal has values corresponding to differences between the peak samples and a high threshold and the null samples and a low threshold. In response to the error signal, the samples are filtered to produce a filtered symbol having a reduced peak-to-average signal ratio. The error signal can also be used to calculate reserved tones on reserved subcarriers, which are combined with multi-tone subcarriers in a multi-carrier transmitter.