I work in a club and DJs change bpm so much during the show. When I want to adjust bpm by just one its hard to get it right like the fader it so sensitive it would just jump by 5 bpm sometimes. Is there a syntax I can use that would a macro when I can just press and go up or down by just one bpm. I tried master 3.1 at bpm + 1 but its doesn’t seem to do anything. Pls help
I run my normal sin effect on a fader and I have a separate strobe button. I want to be able to stomp all sin effects once I press the strobe button. I don’t want to add any dimmer value on that strobe. Just the strobe effect and a dimmer stomp. I’ve been trying for months to figure it out. Anyone can help?
Hi all,
I’m hoping to get some advice/insight on why MA is such an industry standard what the practical reasons are for why they’re valued more over other desks.
I work for a smaller sized event production company. Our core business is large general sessions and dabble in some one-off rock n roll for headlining acts for said general sessions.
We currently have a fleet of (7) HOG4s and have primarily always been a HOG house for the last two decades. Our fleet is ready to be sent off to greener pastures, but we’re stuck between continuing down the HOG path (which I am not super fond of) or biting the money bullet and investing in MA3.
With the large price tags that comes with MA, the question I am always asked by leadership when I approach the topic is “what can an MA3 do for us that a HOG can’t?” And it’s a fair question, and having always been on a HOG, I don’t know enough about MA to answer. At our level, does it make sense to invest $300k-400k in consoles? Are they really that much better at controlling lights? Is just for cool points?
Syntax, macros, and plug-ins aside, what makes an MA a better choice?
Thanks!
Has anyone found a case they like for the DMX-Key yet?
I currently have a small pelican style case for it, and it works, but it doesn't *feel* right. Kinda have to smush the lid closed, latches are sub par. Etc.
Ideally I'm looking for something small enough that I can throw it in my bag, but not so flimsy it feels like it isn't protecting so much as it is containing
I originally built this because I got tired of walking between FOH and stage all the time during focus 😅
Been refining it for quite a while now and figured I’d share the current version here since a lot of MA users still haven’t come across it.
The goal is simple:
fast on-stage access to the things you actually need.
Not a full console replacement.
More of a workflow companion for focus/setup/rehearsal.
Would genuinely love feedback from other MA operators.
Howdy team, hoping someone has come across a better way to get a phaser to “bounce”.
Preferably universal, preferably without having an excessive amount of steps.
Thank you!
I’m still new to mode 3. Don’t completely understand how the new “cloning”(I know it’s not the same)works when I walk into a new rig or what the best way to go about things is. I have a template showfile that is a bit more robust than the start show but very similar. could someone walk me through how I can keep my current show but swap the fixtures in the patch and be up and running quickly.
Yo hive. Sorry a bit out of the MA3 topic, but an MA3 will be at the start of the command chain;)
So need to buy a few sACN—>SMX nodes. RJ45. 8 port, rack mount.
My favourites so far, the Swisson (900€), Pathport (680€), Enttec (dont know), Sundrax (750€).
Any insight?
I need to create a fixture profile in GrandMA2 using this DMX chart. I want to control the halo ring becouse the previous profile was trash. I'm using the grandma fixture builder becouse i couldn't find the Pan Tilt speed in the granma build in creator. I don't know how to make the halo ring and using the shutter atribute makes the head beaing off in the 3d visualizer. Can you guys help ?
This is my Command Wing bar (the rest on the right looks normal) and as soon as I switch page or press both MA Buttons (to toggle the title bar) it goes back to normal.
I changed something in the view today, but that was something completely different (one layout smaller, clock bigger) and now everytime I go in this view It looks like this, I dunno if anyone had this or a similar problem before, but it is weird xD
Hi everyone,
I'm developing a Lua plugin for grandMA3 v2.3.2.0 that automates fixture creation in the patch. After days of exhaustive testing, I'm stuck on two fundamental issues.
Context: I want to duplicate a reference fixture (FID 1101) multiple times into specific groupings (FREE1 to FREE8), with automatic FID assignment (1101-1108 for LX1, 1201-1208 for LX2, etc.) and proper renaming.
Problem 1: AddFixtures() crashes the console
The official AddFixtures() function crashes MA3 whenever the navigation destination is correct (Stages.Stage 1.Fixtures). With incorrect navigation it returns nil without crashing. I've tried all navigation syntaxes:
lua
-- Official manual v2.3 syntax (crashes!)
Cmd("ChangeDestination Root")
Cmd('ChangeDestination "ShowData"."Patch"')
Cmd('ChangeDestination "Stages"."Stage 1"."Fixtures"')
local ok, r = pcall(AddFixtures, {mode=mode, amount=1, fid="9901", name="TEST"})
-- Console crashes, pcall doesn't catch it
The mode is obtained via Patch().FixtureTypes[typeIdx].DMXModes[modeIdx] → valid userdata.
Problem 2: Cannot assign a FID after fixture creation
The command copy refPath destPath /nc works and creates the fixture in the correct grouping, BUT with no FID (empty). All FID assignment attempts fail:
lua
-- PatchTrySetID → internal MA3 crash
-- attempt to index a nil value (local 'opt') at Patch@patch_common.lua:158
pcall(PatchTrySetID, handle, 1102) -- ok=false
-- set in patch context → Illegal object
CmdIndirectWait('set "Stages"."Stage 1"."Fixtures"."FREE1".2.FID 1102')
-- Direct Lua property assignment → ok=true but nothing changes
local ok, _ = pcall(function() fix2.FID = 1102 end) -- ok=true, FID unchanged
-- Assign /FID= → wrongly parsed by MA3 as ("D"="1102" /File)
-- set .INDEX → runs OK but doesn't affect FID
-- set .NO → expanded to "Normal", doesn't affect FID
What works:
Cmd('Label Fixture X "name"')copy refPath destPath /nc in patch context → creates copy in correct groupingPatch().FixtureTypes[idx].DMXModes[idx] → returns valid userdataObjectList, Patch().Stages[1].Fixtures["FREE1"] → valid handlesQuestions:
AddFixtures() on v2.3.x? What exact navigation do you use?PatchTrySetID — do you know the correct format for the opt parameter (line 158 of patch_common.lua)?Thanks!
Hello Everyone,
I just bought a mini PC based on an AMD Ryzen 5 7430u and a iGPU with 2GB of Vram (shared on the 16GB of ram)
When I start MA3, I get "grandMA3 Exception error code: 0xc0000005
I tried : lowering Vram
Changing a lot of bios things
Reinstall windows (11)...
What can I try next ?
Thank you !
Hello, I’m wondering if MA or anyone has a performance test file? Even if that’s a thing
Hi, quick question for everyone: Is it possible to stream via SACN over two ports simultaneously in Grand Ma 3? If so, how? And is it possible to connect my PC to the session via a separate network connection despite the SACN stream? Right now, I can only get one to work at a time, but I can't imagine that it wouldn't be possible to use multiple ones.
Note: This involves the exact same stream, so I want to achieve a result similar to that of a DMX splitter, the same signal split into two paths.
I’m trying to use DMX server, Max profile via GMA3 but it’s not allowing me to control all of the attributes I’m supposed to be able to.
- I see artnet data is good
- I see value changes in the DMX monitor
- holding visible points at 100, running an intensity effect in the programmer on GMA3 but no output. I’m able to change pages and cues but the cue playback speed is stuck at zero and I’m not able to control anything else.
Any input on what I’m missing is greatly appreciated!
Hi there Wizards, I’m having trouble sending art-net between MA and Resolume on the same machine.
I have it working using multiple machines (MA server and a separate video server) using 2.0.0.x style addresses, no problem. But if I switch to the internal loopback 127.0.0.1, I’m having an issue sending the same data internally on the same machine.
I’ve got it sending control from MA to Resolume on universe 15 and that works. I can see my faders in MA moving on universe 15 in Resolume. But sending RGB color info from Resolume on universe 1 to MA is just not showing up in MA.
I’ve got all my firewalls off.
Attached are some images of my settings.
The first image is my color data sending from resolume. The second is my art-net settings in MA.
The 3rd image is those same settings on 2 separate machines where it’s working perfectly in the traditional multiple machines connected via Ethernet style.
If anyone has any insight on why this internal loopback isn’t receiving in MA, I would be eternally grateful. Thanks so much!!!
Hey y’all!
I just started working for a venue that hosts a lot of tours, and my experience is mostly in theatrical lighting, meaning: I would walk into a venue with a system set up to only cater to that venue and things didn’t change much beyond that. Which means I am still learning a lot of things about a lot of systems and equipment that I haven’t had much exposure to in my previous experience. So if any of my questions seem confusing, it comes from a lack of familiarity with a lot of these technologies that I am newer to. So please be kind. :)
I have a tour coming into my venue soon that will be bringing in a Grand MA3 and they want to hook into our system. I have a 2 port portable ETC Response Gateway set up to send out my universe 1 and 2 for this reason that works just fine. And typically that’s all folks need. But this tour also wants to use my universe 3, which is all wireless Lustrs talking to a show baby that’s hooked up to our house console, an ETC Ion.
My issue is that I don’t know much about the MA line of consoles (which is why I’m coming here for your expertise!) and I want to make sure I can provide him with access in whatever way he needs it. How can I make sure he can properly hook into all three of my universes? We have a lighting network, can you just run an Ethernet from one of our lighting network ports straight into the board? And would that grab the wireless universe as well? Does my house console need to be on for any reason or should it be off at all times?
I am trying to learn more and more about networking to better understand all of this, but I am nowhere near knowing what I want to know. So please explain things to me even if they might seem obvious to you. Thank you so much in advance for any help provided!!!! :)
Thanks to u/Sprunklefunzel, u/cocotechyt and u/ishouldntgraduate. I was able to get the Stream Deck Plus working with the OnPC software.
Why: I can't afford a full blown desk, and I still want encoders and dedicated buttons, without buying a counterfit.
What: Stream deck plus, MA3 OnPC, MA3 DMX-Key, Companion, This Plugin for MA3, LoopMIDI, and a little bit of wrangling windows 11.
d
How:
- First, download all the programs listed above.
- open Companion, and make sure it sees your stream deck, and can work with it. Download the MA3 plugin, and the OSC plugin. Set connections for both using the port of your choosing. (8081 seems to work well) You'll then build your profile with the following settings:
-1. under settings>buttons. Set your rows to 1, and columns to 3. it starts the grid at 0 for each, so you have to subtract one from each number.
-2. Assign your buttons in companion as desired
-Next, install loopMIDI, and once installed create a loopback. Then, press "Windows+R," Type services.msc, and scroll down to windows Midi. Restart it.
- Next, open the stream deck software, and install the MIDI plugin, and the Companion plugin. Here, you will assign companion buttons to each of the 8 buttons available. In order for these to populate properly, you have to tell each button where it is looking within the companion grid. For the knobs you have to assign them a generic MIDI assignment, and then within that assignment, under dial rotate action, set it to rotate action CW/CCW, set CW to the values 1/1/1, and 1/127/1. This sets control for the left most encoder. For the next one assign values 2/1/1, and 2/127/1. This is the same for encoders 3 and 4. At the bottom of each of the menus for this assignment, make sure to select Midi Ports, and select your output as the loopback we created in loopMidi
-Now, your external software should be complete and setup. So let's open MA3, and follow the directions that were in the file we downloaded from Pro-Plug ins, and get that plugin installed. Once installed, select it again, hit configure, and then make sure your midi in device is set to your loopback port as well.
-Next, open in and out in MA3, go to OSC, and create new OSC data with the following: Ip address is 127.0.0.1, Mode UDP, Port 8081 (or whatever you set), enable input at the top right, and then at the bottom select receive all, and receive command all. Then Save it.
If everything plays nicely, What you should now have, is your 8 programmed buttons, plus encoder knobs to control your 4 encoders!
I hope this helps someone :)
Hi all,
I know I came in here a few months ago complaining about OSC being weird in MA3, so after some minor detective work, I put together this write up on github for anyone interested, or who might find it useful.
