Glossary

grandMA3 User Manual » Glossary

Version 2.4

The following collection of abbreviations, acronyms, and fundamental lighting terms can be found in the grandMA3 user manual.

To open the glossary in the grandMA3 software:

1. Press Help, and enter Glossary into the command line.
2. Press Please. The Glossary opens.

A

ACN

Architecture for Control Networks
ACN is a suite of protocols. It uses many elements that are not currently supported by grandMA3. But the ACN protocols also have a version for transporting DMX data.
For more information see sACN Menu.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute
A standards organization that oversees the development and adoption of voluntary consensus standards in the United States. In the entertainment and lighting industry, ANSI accredits standards such as DMX512 (ANSI E1.11), which are relevant to grandMA3 system operation and interoperability.

API

Application Programming Interface
A defined set of functions that allows plugins or scripts to interact with grandMA3 software objects, data, and system functions.
For more information see Lua Functions - Object-Free API or Lua Functions - Object API.

Art-Net

An Ethernet-based lighting control protocol that transmits DMX data over IP networks using UDP.
Art-Net 4 Ethernet communication standard was developed by Artistic Licence.
For more information see Art-Net menu. 

Asterisk (*)

Symbol used in the command line as a mathematical operator, wildcard, or as a placeholder for multiple objects, depending on the context.
For more information see * (Asterisk) Keyword. 

Attributes

An individual controllable property of a fixture or system object, such as Dimmer, Pan, Tilt, Color, or Gobo.
Attributes are the building blocks of fixture types and are organized into feature groups.
Attribute values can be adjusted in the Programmer and stored in presets, cues, and sequences.
For more information see Attribute definitions.

B

bit

binary digit

bpm

beats per minute

C

CIDR

Classless Inter-Domain Routing
A method for allocating IP addresses for IP routing. 

CIE

Commission internationale de l'éclairage or International Commission on Illumination 

CLI

Command Line Interaction
For more information see Command Line Interaction.

CMD

Command
A command is a phrase in the syntax that can be entered into the command line to perform a specific action. 

CMY

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
A subtractive color mixing system that creates colors by filtering white light through varying amounts of cyan, magenta, and yellow. 

Command Line

Interface where the syntax to control the console can be entered.
For more information see Command Line.  

Conventional lights

Lighting devices with a dimmer only.

CPU

Central Processing Unit

Cue

Cues can include fixture values, references to presets, and references to recipes. Cues are organized in a sequence.
For more information see Cues and Sequences.  

D

dBu

decibel unloaded 

DC

Direct Current 

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Is a system where IP addresses are distributed from a DHCP server.
For more information see Interfaces and IP.  

Display

A physical or virtual output device used by the system to render one or more screens. Displays correspond to GPU outputs or internal console panels.
For more information see Display.

DMX

Digital Multiplex
A communication protocol to send a digital signal from a controller to a receiver. A single DMX cable can transmit one Universe. 

DMX Channel

A single DMX Channel has a value between 0 and 255. 

DMX Universe

A DMX Universe contains 512 DMX channels. 

Dual Encoder

The five dual encoders on a console or command wing are used to adjust the various attributes of fixtures and other functions.
For more information see Dual Encoders.  

E

Encoder Bar

Displays the attributes and functions associated with the encoders and includes shortcuts for quick access to a selection of user profile settings and programming tools.
For more information see Encoder Bar.

Executors

Executors are physical keys, knobs, and faders on the grandMA3 hardware. They can also be represented as on-screen virtual executors.
For more information see Executors.  

Extension

Allows for extending the number of physical executor handles for specific grandMA3 products.
For more information see Connect grandMA3 extension.  

F

Fader Wing

An additional fader device for the grandMA3 onPC system.
For more information see grandMA3 onPC fader wing. 

Fixture

A complete lighting unit including at least a housing and a lamp. 

Fixture Type

Fixture types are used to visualize and control real-life fixtures on stage.
For more information see Fixture Types.  

fps

frames per second 

G

GB

Gigabyte 

GDTF

General Device Type Format
Is a file format used to describe devices.
For more information see Import GDTF.  

GlobalMaster

The master station in a session with more than one station. The GlobalMaster manages shared session data and network DMX output.
For more information see Locally Networked Devices. 

GPI

General Purpose Interface
A hardware input that allows external devices to trigger actions within the system via contact closures or voltage signals. GPI inputs can be configured to execute functions such as triggering macros, sequences, or other system events.

Grand Master

Is used to limit the output of the intensity of all the fixtures patched in a show.
For more information see Grand Master.  

Groups

Groups contain a selection of fixtures. This includes the selection's order and grid position. This can be used as a programming tool, providing a fast way to select fixtures.
For more information see Groups.  

GUI

Graphical User Interface
The visual part of the grandMA3 software that allows users to interact with windows, menus, buttons, and other on-screen elements instead of using only the command line. 

GUID

Globally Unique Identifier
A 128-bit unique identification value used to distinguish objects, data, or devices from one another. 

H

Hex

Hexadecimal 

HID

Human Interface Device
An input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, used to interact with a grandMA3 station or connected computer.
For more information see RemoteHID.

Highlt

Highlight
For more information see Highlight, Lowlight, Solo.  

HTP

Highest Takes Precedence
The highest value will be output. Mostly used with Dimmer.

Hz

Hertz
cycles/beats per second

I

IdleMaster

A station is IdleMaster when the network is On and it is the only device in the session.
For more information see Standalone Device. 

IEC

International Electrotechnical Commission
An international standards organization that develops and publishes standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies.

IP

Internet Protocol
A network protocol responsible for addressing and routing data packets between devices on a network.

K

Keywords

Defined word in the software with a specific usage. 

L

LED

Light Emitting Diode

Level Wheel

The level wheel on the right side of a console or command wing is always assigned to dimmer attributes. 

log

logarithm 

Lua

Lua is a scripting language designed to support general procedural programming.
For more information see What is Lua.  

LTC

Linear Time Code
An analog timecode signal that encodes time information as an audio waveform.

LTP

Latest Takes Precedence
The most recent value will be output, mostly used for all attributes besides Dimmer.
For more information see DMX port configuration.  

M

mA

milliampere 

Macro

Macros are commands stored in a pool object.
For more information see Macros.  

Master

Masters are physical representations of various timing and level overrides that exist in the software.
For more information see Masters.  

MB

Megabyte 

MIB

Move In Black
A function that allows non-dimmer attributes to change while the associated fixture’s intensity is at zero, ensuring that visual changes occur without being seen.
For more information see Move In Black. 

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface
A digital communication protocol used to transmit control data between electronic devices.
For more information see MIDI.  

Monitor

A generic term for a hardware display device. A monitor is a physical screen connected to a display output. 

Moving Light

Lighting instrument with additional attributes other than a dimmer. It is possible to control the position of a Moving Light from a console. 

MSC

MIDI Show Control
Sends functions via MIDI signal from an executor to another device, for example, a console or MIDI sequencer. 

Multi-Instance Fixture

A lighting instrument with multiple individually controllable sections. 

MVR

My Virtual Rig
MVR is a file format used to share patch data.
For more information see MVR.  

N

NDI

Network Device Interface
A software specification that enables high-definition video to be transmitted, received, and communicated over a computer network.
For more information see NDI Keyword.

O

OS

Operating System 

OSC

Open Sound Control
OSC is a client and server system that defines a message address pattern used to address elements in the receiving server.
For more information see OSC.  

P

Pan

Horizontal movement axis of a fixture. 

Parameters

A parameter represents the underlying control data used to drive one or more fixture attributes and may use up to 24 bits of DMX resolution across multiple DMX channels.
A single parameter can control multiple attributes, or multiple parameters can contribute to a single attribute, depending on the fixture design.
For example, a combined Dimmer/Strobe DMX channel may be represented as one parameter in the system while providing separate Dimmer and Strobe attributes in the fixture sheet.
For more information see Parameters.

Patch

In the Patch, the DMX universes, addresses, and modes for the fixture types are defined. 

Phasers

Dynamically changes the output for attributes using a set of information in two or more steps.
For more information see Phasers.  

PoE

Power over Ethernet 

Playback

Recalling stored information physically (for example, fader) or graphically (user interface) on a console.
A preset, a sequence with cues, or a timecode show can be played back.
For more information see Playback Window.  

Presets

Presets are containers for values. For example, when the same values are used in different cues several times.
For more information see Presets.

Prev

Previous
For more information see Prev key.  

Programmer

The programmer is a temporary memory, where active and inactive values are placed. These values can then be stored or released.
For more information see Programmer.

Prvw

Preview
For more information see Prvw key.  

PSN

PosiStageNet
A network protocol used to transmit real-time positional tracking data of objects, such as performers or cameras, over IP networks.
grandMA3 stations can receive PSN data.
For more information see PSN.  

PSR

Partial Show Read
A function that allows selected data from one show file to be imported into another without loading the entire show.
For more information see PSR.  

PWM

Pulse Width Modulation

R

RAM

Random Access Memory 

RCA

Radio Corporation of America
A type of electrical connector commonly used to transmit analog audio and video signals.

RDM

Remote Device Management
Permits intelligent bidirectional communication between devices from multiple manufacturers using a modified DMX512 data link.
For more information see RDM.

RFC

Request for Comments
A technical document used to define or describe internet and networking standards, such as IP address ranges and network protocols.
For more information see Regulations and Standards.

RGB

Red, Green, Blue
An additive color model that creates colors by combining varying intensities of red, green, and blue emitters. 

RPM

Revolutions per Minute. Commonly: Rounds per Minute. 

 S

S/PDIF

Sony/Philips Digital Interface
A digital audio connection standard used to transmit stereo audio signals between devices without converting the signal to analog.
The grandMA3 S/PDIF connection uses coaxial RCA connectors.

sACN

Streaming Architecture for Control Networks
A network-based lighting control protocol defined by ANSI E1.31 that transmits DMX data over IP networks using UDP and multicast or unicast distribution.
For more information see sACN (streaming ACN) Menu

Screen

A user interface display that hosts windows, views, and user interface elements such as the control bar, view bar, and encoder or playback bar.
For more information see Screen. 

SelFix

SelectFixture
For more information see SelFix key.  

Seq

Sequence
A sequence contains cues that can be played back in a defined order.
For more information see Cues and Sequences. 

SFTP

Secure File Transfer Protocol
A secure method for transferring files between a computer and a grandMA3 station over a network.
For more information see SFTP Connection to a Console.

SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
A timecode standard defined by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers used to synchronize lighting, audio, video, and other show systems.

SSD

Solid-State Drive 

SSE

Streaming SIMD Extensions 
A set of processor instructions that enable Single Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) operations, allowing multiple data elements to be processed simultaneously using vector registers.
SSE is used to accelerate tasks such as graphics, audio, and signal processing.

Station

A station is a physical device in the grandMA3 system that can participate in a session and exchange data with other devices on the network.
Stations include consoles, onPC systems, processing units, and other compatible network devices. 

STP

Shielded Twisted Pair 

Syntax

The structure used to form valid command line instructions.
For more information see Syntax Rules.  

T

TC

Timecode
Timecode is a time signal used to time-stamp recordings for playback or to trigger cues.
For more information see Timecode. 

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol
A connection-oriented network protocol that ensures reliable, ordered, and error-checked data transmission between devices over IP networks.

Tilt

Vertical movement axis of a fixture. 

Tracking

Tracking is the principle of storing only the changes in the cues.
For more information see Tracking.  

TZ

Time Zone

U

UDP

User Datagram Protocol
A connectionless network protocol that transmits data without guaranteeing delivery, order, or error correction.

UI

User Interface
The visual and interactive elements of the system through which the user operates the software or hardware, including screens, windows, views, buttons, and controls.
For more information see User Interface. 

UTC

Coordinated Universal Time
The primary time standard globally used to regulate clocks and time. Used for backup file timestamps. 

UUID

Universally Unique Identifier
A 128-bit identifier used to uniquely distinguish objects within the system. In grandMA3, UUIDs are assigned to elements such as fixtures, presets, sequences, and other data objects to ensure consistent identification across show files, sessions, and data exchanges.

 V

Variable

A variable is a container that holds a value you can change and reuse. Variables let you store information, like numbers, names, or object references, and use it later in macros or commands.
For more information see Variables.  

V

Volt

VRAM

Video Random Access Memory
Dedicated memory on a graphics processing unit (GPU) used to store and manage visual data such as textures, images, frame buffers, and display output. 

W

Web Remote

A browser-based remote control interface that allows users to monitor and operate a grandMA3 system over a network connection. The Web Remote provides access to selected system functions, views, and controls without requiring the full console or onPC software.
For more information see Web remote.  

X

XFade

Crossfade
A transition in which parameter values from one state are gradually replaced by values from another over a defined time.
For more information see Assign object to an executor.  

XLR

A locking electrical connector commonly used for professional audio, lighting, and control signals.
XLR connectors are widely used for balanced audio, DMX data transmission, intercom systems, and timecode connections.
The most common variants use 3-pin or 5-pin configurations. 

XML

Extensible Markup Language
A structured, text-based data format used to store and exchange information in a human-readable and machine-readable form. XML may be used for configuration data, data exchange, and interoperability with external systems and file formats.