What's Trending, Lighting Console Of Choice: MA Lighting grandMA2 (Again)

Lighting consoles are very much a matter of personal preference, but it stands to reason a few of the best programmers might use the same console. So far in our What’s Trending: Lighting Console of Choice series, Alex Fogel opted for the ETC Eos, while Zachary Matusow talked about how he became an MA Lighting grandMA2 fan. Third up to bat in this series is Vickie Claiborne, a lighting and digital media product specialist for PRG in Las Vegas. Her background in design and programming for lighting and digital media, as well as lighting console training, spans more than 25 years. One of the proudest moments in her career to date has been as lead programmer for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Her first book entitled, Media Servers For Lighting Programmers was published in 2014, and she co-moderates LDI’s sessions on The Art Of Programming. Her console of choice: none other than the MA Lighting grandMA2, and here’s why!

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When Live Design asked me about my favorite console and why, I thought, “How is it possible to put into words how a console feels when you’re behind the desk for long hours at a time?” And then I thought about all the shortcuts and tools that consoles like the grandMA2 has onboard that make pushing buttons way into the early morning hours as simple as possible. Here are a few of the features of the grandMA2 that I personally enjoy.

Networking: The network integration features of the MA2 platform are streamlined for ease of connecting to other MA2 devices. In multi-console networking situations with multiple NPUs, for instance, the grandMA2 makes connecting as simple as starting a session on the main console and joining on the backup consoles. NPUs and other MA2 devices (like the VPU for instance) are automatically shared on the same network without complicated networking setup routines. And the speed and ease with which the MA2 backup can take over in an emergency situation takes away the anxiety of having to use an A/B switch or other networking type switch. 

Worlds: Closely tied with networking multiple consoles together is the concept of Worlds. This allows multiple programmers to split the lighting rig into separate “worlds” of fixtures for discrete control.  Having the ability to work on one portion of the show simultaneously with other programmers while not competing over the desktop is a breeze on the MA2, and makes large sophisticated shows much less problematic than having different consoles running different show files at the same time during a show.

Digital Media Integration: In more recent software versions of the MA2, tools for programming and working with digital media onboard the console are beginning to be implemented into the software. For example, the Bitmap Effect layer, revisited and revamped in v3.1.2.5, is easily accessible within the console, simplifying the workflow of pixel mapping while opening up the possibility of using the console’s built-in effects engine. Having the ability to store some content on the console is also a plus for a show that may not have the budget for a stand-alone media server but needs a simple way to play a few pieces of content across a low res wall of LED fixtures. 

Completely Customizable Programming Interface: One of the most important, but also initially intimidating, features of the MA2 is the empty desktop of a new show. To the beginner, this can be daunting. However, to the frequent user, the ability to layout the desktop according to your own personal workflow is probably one of the most powerful aspects of the console. Some programmers rely heavily on syntax; some on Macros; and others on the touchscreen. The MA2 can easily be transformed into any of these workspace environments by simply recalling a view.

All in all, the grandMA2 appears to have most of the tools that a programmer could want in a lighting console, while not losing touch with what’s most important: ease of use. As a programmer, I don’t want to get bogged down in complicated keystrokes or deep submenus looking for the tool I need. The MA2 somehow seems to combine power and simplicity into a streamlined working environment that just makes sense. And making sense at 3am after a long day of pushing buttons is what it’s all about.

For more, read the April/May 2017 issue of Live Design.