TPI_May

EXPOEXTRA:ThegrandMAPhenomenon
Left: The latest addition to the family — the grandMA2.
retained the popular and intuitive grandMA
control philosophy including the same
command line and syntax.
The software has been radically developed
and extended, and comes complete with
optimised colours and views. The advanced
networking architecture — in which grandMA
is a market leader — becomes even more
powerful, whilst very sensibly retaining
compatibility with its predecessor, the grandMA
‘series 1’.
Therefore, grandMA2 can read ‘series 1’
showﬁles (upward compatibility), and a special
‘series 1’ mode allows grandMA2 consoles
to be run in ‘series 1’ sessions (downward
compatibility).
There is more to MA Lighting than grandMA USER AFFIRMATION Independent from the user interfaces,
consoles — the complete portfolio includes R.E.M. lighting designer Susanne Sasic is one of for theatre-style programming or a concert
a full range of system-integrated dimMA many to convert to the grandMA camp. “I love touring multi-user programming environment,
solutions, plus a range of touring dimmers, the grandMA,” she told TPi. “I started using it grandMA2 also includes grandMA2 fader
which are universally popular throughout [in 2007] on The White Stripes — I continued wings, giving up to 90 faders per console.
Europe. with R.E.M. and haven’t looked back. A big advantage over grandMA ‘series 1’
Based on the popular MA Scancommander, “I enjoy the stability and reliability of the is the fact that all the command keys stay in
grandMA ‘series 1’ was initially launched in grandMA’s operating system, the easy and the same place with the different grandMA2
1997 as a full-size hybrid console for controlling dependable ﬁle management, and the ability consoles, averting the need for users to
both moving lights and dimmers, mainly for the to carry around a year’s worth of shows on a search for keys whilst working on the different
concert touring market. pocket-sized USB drive.” grandMA2 series consoles.
The following years saw the immediate start Dave Hill used a grandMA for the ﬁrst time An additional SVGA 9” multi-touch
to the grandMA evolution in close collaboration on a large-scale production when he toured command screen is inbuilt, along with an
with the market. Right from the outset, MA with Genesis two years ago. He notably used integrated keyboard drawer.
felt that a key to any future success would be it later in 2007 on the now-legendary Ahmet
keeping in contact with the requirements and Ertegün Tribute concert, starring the reunited
wishes of designers working in all areas of visual Led Zeppelin.
performance, arts and entertainment. He said: “I’ve never been one to try out new “Integration is the key — on
An extensive feature set was integrated desks, so when I switched to the grandMA I grandMA2, all of the network
to the console platform, dedicated to cover knew it would be for the long haul. Every time I
the many other ﬁelds of professional lighting use it, the job gets easier.” components that already work
— theatre, television, architainment — in Smooth, problem-free operation throughout
addition to live performance. 15 months on the Chemical Brothers’ We Are together do so even more
In addressing the needs of different The Night tour encouraged designer Tom Lesh seamlessly than before...”
market segments, it became essential to to adopt the grandMA approach when he
offer a complete range of control options, recently went out with The Feeling.
with different, but fully compatible, sizes “I’m very impressed with its networking
of dynamic control tools. Integral to that, a and video and timecode-triggering capabilities
comprehensive and stable set of software tools — it’s been faultless and a joy to use,” said The new grandMA2 full-size offers real-time
was fundamental to the equation, which came Lesh. control for 8,192 HTP/LTP parameters, and via
in the form of a 3D visualiser, an ofﬂine editor The lighting for AC/DC’s current ‘hot ticket’ the new MA NPUs, this can be extended to
and remote controls. Black Ice tour is being piloted by Charlie 65,536 parameters per session (up to a sturdy
‘Cosmo’ Wilson, another happy convert who 256 DMX universes) to be ready for the future.
COMPLETE SYSTEM said: “I’d heard so many good stories about the The operating system is embedded Linux,
MA opened up more and more ‘lighting worlds’ grandMA that I had to try it... and I’ve fallen and every parameter is calculated, faded with
through the grandMA’s ability to programme, in love with it on the road with AC/DC. It’s by up to 24-bit resolution. This gives the most
control and visualise LED and digital lighting far the best and most soild and reliable of all precise triggering possible for ﬁxtures.
ﬁxtures as well as media servers. modern consoles.” While 16-bit resolution is primarily needed
This overall development transformed the for moving light pan/tilt functions, the
grandMA ‘series 1’ from just a single product ENTER grandMA2 grandMA2 is so powerful, that all parameters
into a complete system, and simultaneously the With the introduction of grandMA2, MA can be driven with 24-bit.
idea of networking was ﬁnally established. Lighting has supplemented and developed the All the menus, dialogue-boxes and views are
The process required an expansion of hugely successful grandMA ‘series 1’ platform newly programmed and feature a new design,
the system’s capacity, so software Version 4 even further. and the grandMA2 ﬁxture library contains new
grandMA ‘series 1’ became the only scalable grandMA2 comes with completely newly ﬁxture types, pixel mapper ﬁxtures and sub-
system on the market that could offer reliable designed hardware supporting the grandMA ﬁxtures.
control of up to 64 DMX universes via 16 MA software, as well as all current and proposed Individual fade and delay times can now be
Network Signal Processors (NSPs), which also lighting control standards. Through listening tracked through in a sequence, and there is only
applies in real-time in multi-user environments intently to a diverse selection of creative and one showﬁle format, so all the console and 3D
of up to 16 stations. technical requirements, MA Lighting has also data is in the same showﬁle.
TPiMAY 09 • 59
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