Trying to understand dBFS restrictions on an audio project

Cubase
6

So if we assume that with “-18dBFS” they mean peak level (and not e.g. RMS), there are two options:

  1. Normalize to -18dBFS, which will of course lower the volume, but the sounds will stay the same. If the sounds should be louder on the playback device, they need to increase the level of the amplifier there.
  2. Limit the sounds to max -18dBFS with a brickwall limiter (not a simple compressor). Alternatively, for very sharp percussive sounds, a clipper can be a good option.
    Depending on the sound, a combination of decreasing the level and limiting could be required, say if the limiting/clipping produces unwanted artifacts.
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