Does FIRmaker only work with external DSP controllers or amplifiers?

No, FIRmaker can also be used in loudspeakers equipped with on-board DSP. This applies for example to more sophisticated powered line arrays as well as to digitally steerable column loudspeakers.

In general, any possible combination of DSP / amplifyers / transducers within single or multiple cabinets or in a unified housing is possible as long as the hardware and DSP software allows storing of separate FIR filters into every DSP block.

Does FIRmaker require on-site measurements?

No, FIRmaker is using high-resolution loudspeaker modeling data to simulate the performance of the system. Based on that FIRmaker computes optimal FIR filters for each DSP channel. Extensive tests in the field have shown that the accuracy of the simulation predicts system performance better than measurable differences of the real setup.

On-site measurements e.g. with SysTune or EASERA can, of course, be performed additionally to refine the performance and align the array to other parts of the sound system.

How many DSP channels are necessary for a FIRmaker setup?

FIRmaker is able to work with any number of DSP channels. AFMG's general-purpose approach is one DSP channel per cabinet.

In very large arrays it will be possible to combine two or even three cabinets into a single source driven by one FIR DSP channel without too much trade-off.

The number of FIR and amplifier channels used per cabinet is not limited, on the other hand. Dozens of channels could be calculated by FIRmaker per box. Even vertical + horizontal optimization would be possible if implemented by the loudspeaker manufacturer.

Can single loudspeakers be optimized with FIRmaker?

This depends on the type of loudspeaker. FIRmaker can optimize the coverage of a column loudspeaker, or any other single loudspeaker that has multiple drivers operating in the same frequency region.

Theoretically it would be possible to use the FIRmaker algorithm as a simple tool to generate FIR-based crossover filters for conventional loudspeakers. However, FIRmaker was originally not intended as an optimization tool for a loudspeaker with only one, or very few, drivers operating in the same pass band (frequency range).