How can consultants, system technicians and installers employ FIRmaker in practice?
Since AFMG FIRmaker is a technology that deeply influences the complete system behavior from the DSP block through limiting, amplification, crossover (or vice-versa) to each transducer, AFMG will implement the technology in close partnership with each loudspeaker manufacturer.
How long does it take to run FIRmaker optimizations?
FIRmaker results are available in a few seconds. Simple setups typically require 2 to 10 seconds of computation time, complicated setups require 10 to 30 seconds.
These numbers are based on the performance of readily available laptops. Performance will probably be increased even more once specific implementations allow further customization of the underlying algorithms.
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.
Can FIRmaker be used with existing loudspeaker systems?
Yes. AFMG FIRmaker only requires high-resolution loudspeaker modeling data as well as FIR processing capabilities. It will work with both, purpose-designed systems as well as existing products.
FIRmaker could even be applied to improve existing installations for better musical performance, increased speech intelligibility or higher signal-to-noise ratio.
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.
EASE Focus - Software & Hardware Requirements
All versions of EASE Focus run on almost every modern Microsoft Windows computer. The following parameters can be seen as an appropriate basis:
AFMG FIRmaker - White Paper
This is the White Paper for AFMG FIRmaker. It contains detailed information on the FIRmaker technology, comparisons between optimized and non-optimized systems as well.
How to Handle User Key Download and How to Resolve Issues
AFMG Licence Manager – User Key Handling and Trouble Shooting.pdf
Comments:
This document explains the download of User Keys via AFMG Licence Manager and the procedure in case your computer does not have direct internet access or your security settings do not allow the direct download of the User Key.
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).