Question

MacBook Pro late 2008, 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, OSX.11.2, 4GB RAM, Studio One 2 v2.5.0, UC v1.7.3, 24.4.2 Firmware 1.0, build 195

Answer 1

The short answer is "no, you do not need to run Universal Control to use your FireStudio within Studio One."

As long as you have the correct version installed (and it appears you do) the FireStudio should sync up with the computer and work as your interface with or without UC running.