grandMA2 User Manual
- New in the Manual
- Introduction
  - About this manual
  - System requirements grandMA2 onPC
  - Installation of grandMA2 onPC
  - Help from MA technical support
- Safety Information
  - Symbols used
  - Intended use
  - Dangers caused by electric current
  - General safety instructions
- Device Overview
  - grandMA2 console
  - grandMA2 replay unit (RPU)
  - grandMA2 fader wing
  - MA onPC command wing
  - MA onPC fader wing
- System Overview
  - Standalone systems
  - Network systems
    - What is the replay unit (RPU)
    - What is the network processing unit (NPU)
    - What is the MA video processing unit (VPU)
    - What is the network dimmer processor (NDP)
    - What is MA 3D
    - What are the MA nodes
  - Parameters vs. DMX channels
  - Parameter expansion
  - Big systems
  - Media systems and CITP
- First Steps
  - Unpack the device
  - Check scope of delivery
  - Position the device
  - Connect power
  - Connect desk lamps
  - Connect external screens
  - Connect USB mouse and USB keyboad
  - Connect DMX
  - Connect sound
  - Connect SMPTE (LTC)
  - Connect Ethernet
  - Connect analog remote control
  - Connect grandMA2 fader wing
  - Setup your PC
  - Turn on the console the first time
- Keys & Buttons on the Console
  - Key overview
  - >>> [GoFastForward]
  - <<< [GoFastBack]
  - . [Dot]
  - Align
  - Assign
  - At
  - Backg [Background]
  - Backup
  - Blind
  - Bt Pg +
  - Bt Pg -
  - B.O. [Blackout]
  - Channel
  - Ch Pg +
  - Ch Pg -
  - Clear
  - Copy
  - Cue
  - Del [Delete]
  - Down
  - Edit
  - Effect
  - [Encoder]
  - Esc
  - Exec [Executor]
  - Executor Buttons
  - Fd Pg +
  - Fd Pg -
  - Fix
  - Fixture
  - Freeze
  - Full
  - Go + [small]
  - Go + [large]
  - Go - [small]
  - Go - [large]
  - Goto
  - Group
  - Help
  - Highlt [Highlight]
  - If
  - Keyboard
  - Learn
  - List
  - MA
  - Macro
  - [Minus] -
  - Mouse
  - Move
  - Next
  - [Numeric]
  - Off
  - On
  - Oops
  - Page
  - Pause [small]
  - Pause [large]
  - Please
  - [Plus] +
  - Preset
  - Prev [Previous]
  - Prvw [Preview]
  - Select
  - Sequ [Sequence]
  - Set
  - Setup
  - Solo
  - Store
  - Temp
  - Thru
  - Time
  - Top
  - Tools
  - Up
  - Update
  - User 1
  - User 2
  - View
  - U1 - U4
  - V1 - V10
  - X1 - X20
- Workspace
  - User interface
    - Screen layout
    - User-defined area
    - Command line
    - X-Key labels
    - View buttons
    - Master section
    - Time control
  - Encoder bar
    - Preset control bar
    - Encoder toolbar
  - Encoder settings
  - Command wing bar
  - Command section
  - Mini executor bar
  - Work with views
  - Touch gestures
  - Calculator
  - Info
  - Oops and undo
  - Colors
    - System
    - Marker
    - Cue
  - Text indicators and symbols
  - Icons
  - Keyboard shortcuts
    - Turn on or turn off the keyboard shortcuts
    - Edit keyboard shortcuts
    - Add or delete keyboard shortcuts
    - Export or import keyboard shortcuts
- Windows in General
  - Create and manage basic windows
  - Clear the screen or delete windows
- Command Syntax and Keywords
  - General syntax rules
    - Helping keywords
    - Object keywords
    - Function keywords
  - All keywords
    - Special characters
    - <<< [GoFastBack]
    - >>> [GoFastForward]
    - - [Minus]
    - + [Plus]
    - AddUserVar
    - AddVar
    - Agenda
    - Alert
    - Align
    - AlignFaderModules
    - All
    - AllButtonExecutors
    - AllChaseExecutors
    - AllFaderExecutors
    - AllRows
    - AllSequExecutors
    - And
    - Appearance
    - Asterisk *
    - Assign
    - At
    - At @
    - Attribute
    - AutoCreate
    - Backup
    - Black
    - Blackout
    - BlackScreen
    - Blind
    - BlindEdit
    - Block
    - ButtonPage
    - Call
    - Camera
    - ChangeDest
    - Channel
    - ChannelFader
    - ChannelLink
    - ChannelPage
    - Chat
    - CircularCopy
    - Clear
    - ClearActive
    - ClearAll
    - ClearSelection
    - Clone
    - CmdDelay
    - CmdHelp
    - Copy
    - CrashLogCopy
    - CrashLogDelete
    - CrashLogList
    - Crossfade
    - CrossfadeA
    - CrossfadeB
    - Cue
    - Cut
    - Default
    - DefGoBack
    - DefGoForward
    - DefGoPause
    - Delay
    - Delete
    - DeleteShow
    - DisconnectStation
    - Dmx
    - Dollar $
    - DmxUniverse
    - Dot .
    - DoubleRate
    - DoubleSpeed
    - Down
    - DropControl
    - Edit
    - Effect
    - EffectAttack
    - EffectBPM
    - EffectDecay
    - EffectDelay
    - EffectFade
    - EffectForm
    - EffectHigh
    - EffectHZ
    - EffectID
    - EffectLow
    - EffectPhase
    - EffectSec
    - EffectSpeedGroup
    - EffectWidth
    - Empty
    - EndIf
    - EndSession
    - Escape
    - ExecButton1
    - ExecButton2
    - ExecButton3
    - Executor
    - Exit
    - Export
    - Extract
    - Fade
    - FadePath
    - Fader
    - FaderPage
    - Feature
    - Filter
    - Fix
    - Fixture
    - FixtureType
    - Flash
    - FlashGo
    - FlashOn
    - Flip
    - Form
    - Freeze
    - Full
    - FullHighlight
    - Gel
    - Go
    - GoBack
    - Goto
    - Group
    - HalfRate
    - HalfSpeed
    - Help
    - Highlight
    - IdentifyFaderModule
    - If
    - IfActive
    - IfOutput
    - IfProg
    - Image
    - Import
    - Info
    - Insert
    - Interleave
    - Invert
    - InviteStation
    - Item3D
    - JoinSession
    - Kill
    - Label
    - Layer
    - Layout
    - Learn
    - LeaveSession
    - List
    - ListEffectLibrary
    - ListFaderModules
    - ListLibrary
    - ListMacroLibrary
    - ListOops
    - ListOwner
    - ListPluginLibrary
    - ListShows
    - ListUpdate
    - ListUserVar
    - ListVar
    - Load
    - LoadNext
    - LoadPrev
    - LoadShow
    - Locate
    - Lock
    - Login
    - Logout
    - Lua
    - Macro
    - ManualXFade
    - Mask
    - Master
    - MasterFade
    - MAtricks
    - MAtricksBlocks
    - MAtricksFilter
    - MAtricksGroups
    - MAtricksInterleave
    - MAtricksReset
    - MAtricksWings
    - MediaServer
    - Menu
    - Message
    - Messages
    - MidiControl
    - MidiNote
    - MidiProgram
    - Model
    - Move
    - Move3D
    - NetworkInfo
    - NetworkNodeInfo
    - NetworkNodeUpdate
    - NetworkSpeedTest
    - NewShow
    - Next
    - NextRow
    - Normal
    - Off
    - On
    - Oops
    - Or
    - OutDelay
    - OutFade
    - Page
    - Parentheses ( )
    - Park
    - Part
    - Paste
    - Pause
    - Plugin
    - PMArea
    - Preset
    - PresetType
    - Preview
    - PreviewEdit
    - PreviewExecutor
    - Previous
    - PrevRow
    - Profile
    - Protocol
    - PSR
    - PSRList
    - PSRPrepare
    - Quotation marks " "
    - Rate
    - Rate1
    - RdmAutomatch
    - RdmAutopatch
    - RdmFixtureType
    - RdmInfo
    - RdmList
    - RdmSetParameter
    - RdmSetpatch
    - RdmUnmatch
    - Reboot
    - Record
    - Release
    - ReloadPlugins
    - Remote
    - RemoteCommand
    - Remove
    - RemoveIndividuals
    - Replace
    - ResetDmxSelection
    - ResetGuid
    - Restart
    - Root
    - Rotate3D
    - SaveShow
    - Screen
    - Search
    - SearchResult
    - Select
    - SelectDrive
    - Selection
    - SelFix
    - Semicolon ;
    - Sequence
    - SetHostname
    - SetIP
    - SetNetworkSpeed
    - Setup
    - SetUserVar
    - SetVar
    - ShuffleSelection
    - ShuffleValues
    - Shutdown
    - SnapPercent
    - Slash /
    - Solo
    - SpecialMaster
    - Square brackets [ ]
    - Speed
    - StepFade
    - StepInFade
    - StepOutFade
    - Stomp
    - Store
    - StoreLook
    - Surface
    - Swop
    - SwopGo
    - SwopOn
    - SyncEffects
    - TakeControl
    - Telnet
    - Temp
    - TempFader
    - Thru
    - Timecode
    - TimecodeSlot
    - Timer
    - ToFull
    - Toggle
    - Tools
    - Top
    - ToZero
    - Unblock
    - Unlock
    - Unpark
    - Up
    - Update
    - UpdateFirmware
    - UpdateSoftware
    - UpdateThumbnails
    - User
    - UserProfile
    - Value
    - Version
    - View
    - ViewButton
    - ViewPage
    - WebRemoteProgOnly
    - With
    - World
    - Zero
  - Work with lists
    - Object list
    - Selection list
    - Executor list
    - Attribute list
    - Station list
- Using the Backup Menu
  - New show
  - Load show
  - Save show
  - Save show as...
  - Delete shows
  - Using a USB stick
  - Setting up a file server
  - Partial show read
  - ASCII show read
  - Save as grandMA3
- Single User and Multi User Systems
  - The difference between a single user and a multi user system
  - Create user profiles and users
  - User settings
  - Login
- Networking
  - What is networking
  - Set the IP address in the console
  - Set the IP address in the onPC
  - Using DHCP in MA devices
  - Session control
    - How to create a session
    - Protecting the session and station
    - Adding devices to the session
    - How to end or leave a session
    - Session collision
  - Getting DMX in and out of the system
    - Setting up DMX ports on MA devices
    - Network DMX protocols
    - What affects my DMX output?
  - Using CITP
    - Streaming CITP
    - Thumbnail exchange
  - PosiStageNet (PSN)
  - FTP connection to console and NPU
- Patching, DMX, and Fixture Setup
  - What are channels & fixtures
    - Attributes
    - DMX break
  - What is 3D and stage setup
  - Adding fixtures to the show
  - Delete fixtures from the show
  - Working with layers
  - Multipatching
  - Live patching
  - DMX sheet
  - DMX testing
  - DMX and parameter lists
  - Universe pool
  - Stage view
  - Virtual 3D cameras
  - Position fixtures in the 3D stage
  - Auto calibrate fixture positions
- Basic Fixture Types
  - What are attributes, features & preset types
  - ColorMix vs. MixColor
  - Different fixture types
    - Conventional
    - LED
    - Mirror
    - Moving lights
    - Media server
    - Virtual fixtures
- Operate Fixtures
  - Channel sheet
  - Fixture sheet
  - Sheet options
    - Tools
    - Layer mask
    - Display
    - Title buttons
    - Assign executor
    - Mask (local)
  - Layers in sheets
    - Channel sheet and fixture sheet
    - Sequence content and sequence tracking sheet
  - What is the programmer
  - Encoder grouping
  - Using the color picker
  - Using the shaper dialog
  - Using the smart view
  - Edit a channel or fixture
- Pools in General
  - Manage pool objects
  - Adjust pool options
  - Call modes
- Groups
  - Create groups
  - Auto create groups
  - Using groups when programming
  - Choose copy method
  - Change specific group colors
  - Group masters
- Presets
  - What are special modes
  - Preset pools
  - Preset pool "Dynamic"
  - Create presets
  - Preset pool options
  - Create preset reference
  - Auto create presets
  - Auto create additional presets
  - Embedded presets
  - Edit presets
  - Update presets
  - Delete presets
- Cues and Sequences
  - What are cues and sequences
  - Looking at the cue sequence
  - Store cues
  - Store options and defaults
  - Cue timings
  - Renumber cues
  - Delete cues
  - Playing back cues
  - Looking at the cue content
  - Update cues
  - What is tracking
  - What is MIB
  - Sequence mini executor
  - Commands in cues
- Executors
  - What are executors
  - Executors on the screens
  - Assign a function
  - Looking at the active executors
  - Common executor options
- Advanced Sequence Functionality
  - Using different view sets in the sheets
  - Working with MIB
  - Using cue modes
  - Cue zero
  - Sequence info window
  - Looping cues
  - Cue path
- Advanced Executor Functionality
  - Executor pages
  - Channel pages
  - Executor options
  - Masters window
  - Special masters
    - Default masters
    - Grand masters
    - Speed masters
    - Rate masters
    - Playback masters
- Clone
  - Clone in user interface
  - Examples
  - Clone presets
- Search and Replace
  - Search
  - Replace
- Image Pool
  - Import images and videos
  - Image limitations & guidelines for symbols
  - Supported file formats
  - Delete images and videos
- Layouts
  - Create a layout
  - Layout pool options
  - Edit layout
  - Layout view options
- Worlds, Filters and Masks
  - What are worlds
  - Create worlds
  - Auto create worlds
  - Use worlds when programming
  - What are filters
  - Create filters
  - Use filters when programming
  - Use temporary filters
  - What are masks
  - Create masks
  - Use masks in the sheets
  - Apply worlds or filters to executors and sequences
- MAtricks
  - MAtricks toolbar
  - MAtricks pool
  - MAtricks interleave
  - MAtricks blocks
  - MAtricks wings
  - MAtricks groups
- Chasers
  - Create a chaser
  - Chaser settings
  - Chaser mini executor
- Effects
  - Use predefined effects
  - Use template and selective effects
  - Create an effect in the programmer
  - Create an effect that uses presets
  - Create effect forms
  - Pool options
  - Effects in a cue
  - Assign effect to executor
  - Live edit an effect
  - Running effects
  - Update effects
  - Delete effects
- Bitmap Fixture
  - Import bitmap fixture
  - Apply bitmap fixture in the layout
  - Control bitmap fixture
  - Edit bitmap fixture
  - Example
  - Priorities for bitmap effects
  - Disable bitmap for fixtures
- XYZ
  - XYZ vs. pan/tilt
  - XYZ and pan/tilt in cues and sequences
  - Use stage markers
  - Link objects to stage markers in MA 3D
- Remote Controlling the System
  - Remote input
  - MIDI show control (MSC)
  - Web remote
  - Telnet remote
  - Decimal – hex table
- Timecode
  - What is timecode and timecode shows
  - Record a timecode show
  - Edit a timecode show
  - Playing back a timecode show
  - Organize the show with multiple timecode shows
- Timer
  - Timer pool
  - Timer pool options
- Agenda
  - What is agenda
  - Create an appointment in the agenda
- Macros
  - What are macros
  - Manually create a macro
    - Use variables
    - Create pop-ups
    - Conditional expressions
    - Macro timing
  - Record a macro
  - Edit a macro
  - Command line interaction
  - Assign a macro to a key
  - Example macros
- Plugins
  - What is Lua
  - Edit plugins
- Partial Show Read
  - What is partial show read (PSR)
  - How to do a PSR
- RDM
  - Turn RDM on
  - Match RDM devices
  - Auto patch RDM devices
  - Work with RDM parameters
  - Work with RDM sensors
  - Configure RDM notifications
  - Use the RDM sheet
  - Unmatch RDM devices
  - Splitters and mergers that support RDM
  - Turn RDM off
  - RDM specific keywords
- DMX Profiles
- Other System Tools
  - Message center
  - Help
  - Clock
  - Sound input window
  - VPU pixel mapper view
  - Network dimmer
    - Views
    - Errors
    - Readout
    - Edit properties of a rack
    - Edit a module
  - Desk status
  - Performance window
  - System monitor
- Export and Import
  - Export by using command line
  - Export by using user interface
  - Import by using command line
  - Import by using user interface
  - Import predefined objects
- Update the Software
  - Update via setup
  - Format a USB stick for Linux
  - Update or factory reset via boot menu
  - Restart from Linux
- Advanced Fixture Types
  - Anatomy of a fixture type
    - Module manager
    - Instance manager
    - Wheel manager
  - Attribute & Encoder Grouping
- grandMA2 onPC Details
- Control the MA NDPs
  - Add the MA NDPs
  - Configure the MA NDPs
  - Delete the MA NDPs
- Control the MA Network Switch
  - Add MA Network Switch
  - Change IP address
  - Enable DHCP client
  - Change hostname
  - Change switch ID
  - Configure ports
  - Edit groups
  - Edit presets
  - Edit LAGs
  - Mirror ports
  - Work with the switch configuration
  - Disable SNMP
  - Change password
  - Update firmware
  - Reset to factory defaults
  - Delete MA Network Switch
- Control the MA xPort Nodes
  - Add the MA xPort Nodes
  - Configure the MA xPort Nodes in the console
  - Configure the MA xPort Nodes in a browser
  - Configure the MA xPort Nodes as splitters or mergers
  - Delete the MA xPort Nodes
- Console Settings
  - Adjust the intensity of desk lights
  - Change screen options
  - Local settings
  - Wing & monitor setup
  - Date & time
- Shut Down the System
- Error Messages
- Technical Data
- Glossary
grandMA3 Mode2
grandMA2 Quick Start Guide
grandMA2 Quick Manual onPC solutions
MA 3D
MA VPU
Release Notes

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Version 3.7

Date & time

Table of contents of this topic

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Date and time
Location
Daylight Saving
NTP
Daylight info
GPS

Sometimes the console needs to know the current date and time, and sometimes also the location of the console. These settings are important if an Agenda is used. For more information, read the Agenda topic.

The date and time settings are located in the Setup I Console I Date & Time.

Date and time

To adjust the date and time, tap the green squares with hour, minute, second, day, month or year. This will open a calculator where it is possible to enter the current value.

Important:
If the console is connected to an NTP server or a GPS, the date and time will be synchronized from the server or maybe the GPS and it will not be possible to set these manually. Read more about NTP server and GPS below.

Location

In the Location tab, it is possible to enter the current timezone and the current longitude and latitude.

The Timezone refers to international standard GMT or UTC. Tap the green square and a calculator appears. Enter the current timezone, for example +1 for Central Europe, -5 for New York or +3 for Moscow.

It is also possible to enter the current location by tapping the green squares at Longitude and Latitude. The default position (9.94 - 49.79) is the center of Würzburg in Germany.

If the longitude is above zero, the position is north of the equator, and if it is below zero, the position will be placed on the southern hemisphere.

If the latitude is above zero, the position will be east of Greenwich (London) and if it is below zero, the position will be west of Greenwich.

Daylight Saving

Daylight Saving is the practice of setting the clocks forward 1 hour from standard time during the summer months, and back again in the fall, in order to make better use of natural daylight.

Use the green squares to set the day, month and time where the daylight saving starts and stops.

To enable or disable daylight saving, tap Daylight Saving Enable.

NTP

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a networking protocol for clock synchronization. There are NTP servers all over the world, and it is a good idea to find a server in the local area.

Important:
To use this function, a station with internet connection (onPC) or connection to an NTP server must be in the session.

Tap NTP info and a pop-up appears.

The steps to let all of the consoles in the session synchronize to a NTP server. This has to be done on a station with a connection to the NTP server:

Tap the green field and type in the IP-address of the NTP server
Tap Sync with NTP, until it shows Enable

A note in the bottom of the pop-up labeled NTP server found: Received Time stamp appears, when there is a connection to the server.

Hint:
The IP address on the image above is the NTP server on VirginiaTech University, connected by an onPC with a internet connection.

Daylight info

To get information about Sunrise, Sunset, Dusk and Dawn according to the position or timezone, tap Daylight Info.

These are the times the Agenda uses.

GPS

Tap GPS to open the GPS pop-up

Important:
To use the GPS function, an NMEA 0183 (4800/8-N-1) USB GPS receiver has to be connected.

To use a GPS on the system do as followed:

Connect the GPS to one of the USB ports
Tap GPS until it is labeled Enable
[Optional] Tap Sync with GPS to synchronize the system time with the GPS UTC time. Tap until it is labeled Enabled. Then, it is not possible to set the time manually.
[Optional] Tap Timezone until it is labeled Auto, to let the GPS manage the timezones. Then, it is not possible to set the timezone manually.

The GPS Master refers to the console, were the GPS is connected.