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
  - Paramters 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
    - Quotation marks " "
    - PSRPrepare
    - 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
    - Semicolon ;
    - SelFix
    - 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

Hint:
New help version
The help version you selected belongs to an older software version. You may want to view the latest help version.

Version 3.4

Title buttons

Table of contents of this topic

hide

Fixture Sort
Channel Sort
Feature Sort
Auto Scroll
Link Mode
Tracking
Selection Only
Cue Mode
Link Faders
Release All
Link Encoders
Enable Mask
Follow Mask
Set1 through Set10
Prog Only
Active Only
Parked
Seq+
Seq-
Readout
Edit CueOnly
Only Selected
Show Additional
Programmer Colors
MixColor Readout
Hide Countdown Timing
Channel Sheet
DMX Sheet
Fixture Sheet
Sequence Content Sheet
Sequence Executor Sheet
Sequence Tracking Sheet
RDM Sheet

Many of the options described in Tools, Layer Mask, and Display can be assigned as a quick access button in the title bars of the relevant sheets. Some are unique - meaning they do not appear as an option, but more as a quick access to a relevant function for the sheet.

The title buttons that are described in the previous topics are mentioned here and there is a link to the topic with the description.

The following is a complete list of all possible title buttons in sheets. After the list of title buttons are an overview if which title buttons are in what sheets - Link.

Fixture Sort

Fixture sort is available in Fixture, Content, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Channel Sort

Channel Sort is available in Channel Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Feature Sort

Feature sort is available in Fixture, Content, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Auto Scroll

Auto Scroll is available in Executor, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Link Mode

Link Mode is available in Content, Executor, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Layer Mask topic.

Tracking

Tracking is available in the Content Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Layer Mask topic.

Selection Only

Selection Only is available in the Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Layer Mask topic.

Cue Mode

Cue Mode is available in the Content Sheets.

The cue mode title button is used to select what cue is displayed in the Content sheet.

Read about it in the Looking at your cue content topic.

Link Faders

Link Faders is available in Channel and Fixture Sheets.

When Link Faders are active, the selected fixtures and the currently selected feature is used for the Dynamic Channel Pages.

Read about Dynamic Channel Pages in the Channel Pages topic.

Release All

Release All is available in the DMX Sheets.

Release all is a function that will release all DMX addresses that are under the influence of the DMX tester.

Read more about this in the DMX testing topic.

Link Encoders

Link Encoders is available in DMX, Content, Executor, and Tracking Sheets.

Read more about it in the Sheet Options - Tools topic.

Enable Mask

Enable Mask is available in Channel, Fixture, Content, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Layer Mask topic.

Follow Mask

Follow Mask is available in Channel, Fixture, Content, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Layer Mask topic.

Set1 through Set10

There can be up to 10 "Set" buttons. They are a little bit different depending on the sheet.

They can all be edited by right clicking them with the mouse (or press Edit and then the button) in the title bar.

Channel Sheet & Fixture Sheet:

The set buttons functions as masks that can be toggled On or Off.

The first 5 set buttons have a default loaded mask, but can be changed. Read mode below.

Read more about masks in the Use masks in the sheets topic.

Content Sheet & Tracking Sheet:

All 10 set buttons functions as masks that can be toggled On or Off.

Read more about masks in the Use masks in the sheets topic.

Executor Sheet:

There are only 5 set buttons available.

The set buttons function as a special kind of mask. They can be used to select what columns in the sheet that should be visible.

Read details about this in the Using different view Sets in the Sheets topic.

Prog Only

This is the Set1 button with a default assigned mask. This is default for Channel and Fixture Sheets. It can be changed.

Read more about masks in the Use masks in the sheets topic.

Active Only

This is the Set2 button with a default assigned mask. This is default for Channel and Fixture Sheets. It can be changed.

Read more about masks in the Use masks in the sheets topic.

Parked

This is the Set3 button with a default assigned mask. This is default for Channel and Fixture Sheets. It can be changed.

Read more about masks in the Use masks in the sheets topic.

Seq+

This is the Set4 button with a default assigned mask. This is default for Channel and Fixture Sheets. It can be changed.

Read more about masks in the Use masks in the sheets topic.

Seq-

This is the Set5 button with a default assigned mask. This is default for Channel and Fixture Sheets. It can be changed.

Read more about masks in the Use masks in the sheets topic.

Readout

Readout is available in Channel, Fixture, Content, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Edit CueOnly

Edit CueOnly is available in Content, and Tracking Sheets.

Read more about it in the Sheet Options - Tools topic.

Only Selected

Only Selected is available in the DMX Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Show Additional

Show Additional is available in the DMX Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Programmer Colors

Programmer Colors is available in the DMX Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

MixColor Readout

MixColor Readout is available in Fixture, Content, and Tracking Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

Hide Countdown Timing

Hide Countdown Timing is available in the Executor Sheets.

Read about it in the Sheet Options - Display topic.

The following is a listing of which title buttons are available in which sheets. It is listed per sheet type.

DMX Sheet

Release All
Link Encoders
Only Selected
Show Additional
Programmer Colors

Fixture Sheet

Fixture Sort
Feature Sort
Link Faders
Enable Mask
Follow Mask
Prog Only
Active Only
Parked
Seq+
Seq-
Set6
Set7
Set8
Set9
Set10
Readout
MixColor Readout

Sequence Content Sheet

Fixture Sort
Feature Sort
Link Mode
Tracking
Cue Mode
Link Encoders
Enable Mask
Follow Mask
Set1
Set2
Set3
Set4
Set5
Set6
Set7
Set8
Set9
Set10
Readout
Edit CueOnly
MixColor Readout

Sequence Executor Sheet

Auto Scroll
Link Mode
Link Encoders
Set1
Set2
Set3
Set4
Set5
Hide Countdown Timing

Sequence Tracking Sheet

Fixture Sort
Feature Sort
Auto Scroll
Link Mode
Selection Only
Link Encoders
Enable Mask
Follow Mask
Set1
Set2
Set3
Set4
Set5
Set6
Set7
Set8
Set9
Set10
Readout
Edit CueOnly
MixColor Readout

RDM Sheet

The RDM sheet do not have any options, but it does have two title buttons.

They are described in the Use the RDM sheet topic.