grandMA2 User 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
- 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
  - 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
grandMA2 Quick Start Guide
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 3.3

Tools

Table of contents of this topic

hide

Preset Control
Layer Control
Mask Control
Multi Control
ScrollBar horizontal
ScrollBar vertical
Link Encoders
Edit CueOnly
DMX Readout Absolute

The Tools tab contains a lot of different settings that turns on or off tools in the sheets. The tools can allow you to work more efficient.

The last part of the options described here, is also available as Title Buttons.

Preset Control

Preset Control is an option in Channel, Fixture, Content, and Tracking sheets.

The Preset Control turn on or off the visibility of the Preset Control Bar at the bottom of the sheet.

It is used to select different Preset Types. The bar is similar to to Preset Control Bar visible in the Encoder Bar.

Read more about it in the Preset Control Bar subtopic.

Restriction:
If Multi Control is on, then this control bar is hidden.

Layer Control

Layer Control is an option in Channel, Fixture, Content, and Tracking sheets.

The Layer Control option turn on or off the Layer Control Bar at the bottom of the sheet.

The Layer Control Bar gives access to the different data layers for the fixtures.

Read more about layers in the Layers in the programmer topic.

Restriction:
If Multi Control is on, then this control bar is hidden.

Mask Control

Mask Control is an option in Channel and Fixture sheets.

The Mask Control option turn on or off a small Mask Control Bar with the default masks.

It could look like this:

The Masks are described in the Mask topics.

Restriction:
If Multi Control is on, then this control bar is hidden.

Multi Control

Multi Control is an option in Channel, Fixture, and Content Sheets.

The multi control combines the Layer, Preset, and Mask control into one bar with three expanding buttons - in that order from left to right.

It could look like this:

The options available for each button is the same as the ones in each of the control bars.

Restriction:
If Multi Control is on, then Preset Control, Layer Control, and Mask Control bars are hidden.

ScrollBar horizontal

ScrollBar horizontal is an option in Fixture, Content, Executor, and Tracking Sheets.

With this option it is possible to turn on or off the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the sheet.

The scroll bar is only visible if it is needed.

ScrollBar vertical

ScrollBar vertical is an option in Channel, DMX, Fixture, Content, Executor, and Tracking Sheets.

With this option it is possible to turn on or off the vertical scroll bar at the right side of the sheet.

The scroll bar is only visible if it is needed.

Link Encoders

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

If this option is on then activating the sheet (by tapping inside the sheet) will change the Encoder Toolbar. The result is different depending on the type of sheet.

DMX Sheet

The Encoder Toolbar will turn into the DMX tester. Read more about it in the DMX Testing topic.

Content Sheet and Tracking Sheet

The Encoder Toolbar will turn into the Executor Toolbar. Read more about it in the What are executors topic.

Executor Sheet

It is bit hidden as an option for the Executor Sheet. You need to add it as a title button to enable or disable it.

It also opens the Executor Toolbar. Follow the link in the "Content Sheet" above to read about it.

Edit CueOnly

Edit CueOnly is an option in Content and Tracking Sheets.

With this option on, any changes made to values in the sheet are stored as Cue Only. Read more about editing values in the two sheets in the Looking at your cue content topic.

DMX Readout Absolute

DMX Readout Absolute is an option in the DMX Sheet.

This option allows you to view the DMX addresses as Absolute or Separated in Universes.

If it is Absolute readout, then it only displays one number. That means that the DMX addresses are displayed as continues numbers. So the first DMX address in universe number 2 is 513 (512 from the first universe plus 1).

If it is Separated readout, the sheet will display two numbers separated by a colon. The first number is the universe and the second is the DMX address in that universe.