Ready… GO

This time we’re talking about priority levels when you have multiple playbacks and how to determine which will win. There are two general rules that most consoles will follow: HTP (Highest Takes Precedence) and LTP (Latest Takes Precedence). We’re also having drunken gummi bears… which are always full of win.

This week’s tip is truly quick: did you know that you can patch or re-patch your existing fixtures without entering Full or Live Access? A simple command line syntax is all you need.

For example, to patch Fixture 101 at Universe 3, Channel 42, your command line should look like this:
ASSIGN FIXTURE 101 AT DMX 3.42

Another example: to patch Channel 1 at Universe 4, Channel 100….
ASSIGN CHANNEL 1 AT DMX 4.100

*Keep in mind that there is no hard key for “DMX,” but tapping the CHANNEL key twice will add DMX to your command line. Additionally, if your fixture is already patched elsewhere, this syntax will first un-patch the unit before re-patching it at your desired address.

A Note for grandMA2 users:
The above Series 1 syntax will also work for Series 2. However, you have an additional syntax that you can use in the same manner that will allow you to multi-patch your units.

Typing ASSIGN DMX 3.2 AT FIXTURE 101 would patch unit 101 at Universe 3, channel 2. However, if the unit was also already patched elsewhere, this would add a second address to the same unit without un-patching the original: thus, multi-patch.
(Remember, this is grandMA2 Series 2 OS only)

Quick Tips are exactly what the name should imply. We’re adding these to our blog in an effort to help programmers and operators of all levels. If you’d like to suggest a Quick Tip, drop us a message on this blog, or on our Facebook page, or even via Twitter.

Today, you’ll find updated versions of software for the following products, along with Release Notes detailing the updates:

grandMA Series 1
grandMA Console Software Version 6.5
grandMA1 onPC Version 6.5

grandMA Series 2
grandMA2 Console Software Version 1.7
grandMA2 onPC Version 1.7

Visualizer
grandMA 3D Version [1.7][6.5] (compatible with today’s console software releases)

Video Processing Unit
grandMA VPU Software Version 3.711

Please visit our Downloads page to access these updates and the Release Notes.

Thanks!
The ACT Lighting Software Team

Earlier this month, ACT Lighting held a demo of the grandMA2 console line, along with the MA Lighting VPU at LMG’s headquarters in Orlando, FL. In addition to the open house, Joe Cabrera of ACT Lighting also offered onsite grandMA training.

Steve (BOZ) Bodzioch, Lighting Design & Services Manager at LMG was good enough to grab a few pictures of the event and share them with us.

If you didn’t make it out to yesterday’s Open House Event at MainLight Industries, here’s some photos of what you missed. The grandMA2 Full Size console, networked with the new MA Lighting VPU media server controlled the output of the SoftLED curtains along with the Main Light MF/V units and various other fixtures.
Special thanks to John DiEleuterio of MainLight for snapping these great shots!

ACTLIGHTINGINC
We’ll soon have news about another opportunity to get your hands on the grandMA2 next month in New Hampshire.

For immediate release.

The prestigious Boston arts institution, the Boston Symphony Orchestra just went through a major overhaul of their lighting and video systems – ultimately upgrading to a grandMA2 light and an MA Lighting VPU. In fact, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is the first installation in the United States to utilize the MA Lighting VPU.

The upgrade was a truly collaborative process involving the Symphony Staff, their Technical Director, Russ Costa, Designer Rob Smith, Lighting Equipment Supplier High Output, Inc and A.C.T Lighting.

Russ Costa, Technical Director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra approached High Output, Inc of Boston for assistance in determining which product could help him consolidate their lighting and projection systems into a single, more powerful installation. “It’s always hard when you want to upgrade a system that’s currently working without too much issue, but as soon as I was able to show the capabilities of the system and the savings that we’d see, it was an easy pitch. Using the grandMA2 along with the MA VPU allows us to eliminate the extra Show Control system and the additional projectionist. The grandMA2 is our single, unified control solution for both lighting and video.”

Jess Klarnet, Director of Production at High Output, Inc was instrumental in placing the right product for Russ’s needs. “The timing of the Boston Symphony Orchestra project could not have been better, for High Output was in the process of determining what product line in which to invest. We have had success with the grandMA and the Boston Ballet and with additional input from Rob Smith and other notable programmers we decided that the MA line was the right choice. Brian Dowd, our representative with A.C.T Lighting, was instrumental in pulling together a demo that included grandMA2 light and the MA Lighting VPU. As an aside, the technical support through out this process including this successful Holiday Pops season was outstanding, kudos to Jason Baeri.”

“Knowing the reliability of the grandMA line, I was confident the VPU would be just as solid,” says Rob Smith, who served as the Video Designer/Programmer and a content creator utilizing a grandMA2 and the MA Lighting VPU. When the Boston Pops perform, certain video scenarios need to be met. One of the regular set pieces is a custom built DMX controlled roll down screen. The screen measures 42′ wide by 21′ high, split into 3 sections that can be individually controlled, and is capable of opening or closing in just under 2 seconds at top speed. “The grandMA2 allowed us to program the automation moves of the screen precisely with the video from the VPU. Adding that to the lighting cues gave us a fully synced show that was controlled by one operator.”

Rob continued to creatively use the MA VPU to meet the additional video needs of the Boston Pops. “The easiest is displaying images from a Broadway show or Hollywood film. During the holidays, Sing-A-Longs are a crowd favorite. The MA Lighting VPU allowed us to add a new level of creativity by being able to animate backgrounds and layer the words over the top as opposed to the old slideshow style. The most critical style of playback was handling what we call “streamers”. Two files would start simultaneously, one being projected to the audience, the other being sent to a monitor at the conductor’s podium. The conductor’s version would have colored lines that scroll across the screen in time with the music so changes would happen at precisely the right moment in the film. We never experienced any lag between the files even with HD quality movies.

“The MA Lighting VPU’s ability to have any number up to 32 layers available was a unique feature that we took full advantage of. New Year’s offered a rather eclectic mix of music, from Opera to Disco to current Top 40 hits. We were able to create image files that could be mapped to the architecture of the iconic organ pipes of the Symphony Hall. Highlighting the individual architectural elements with lighting fixtures would have required 32 color-changing luminaries. We accomplished the same look with one VPU and a pair of 12k projectors -and we weren’t just limited to colors and a handful of gobos – the possibilities are endless.”

High Output, Inc has served as the lighting equipment provider to the Boston Symphony Orchestra for the past 20 years. High Output Inc offers the grandMA2 light along with the MA Lighting VPU as part of their extensive rental inventory.

Staff at the Boston Symphony Orchestra involved in this installation included Pam Smith as grandMA 2 Lighting Programmer, and Mark Rawson – lighting technician, along with the aforementioned Rob Smith as grandMA2 and VPU Programmer and Video Content Creator; Russ Costa – Technical Director and Margo Saulnier, Assistant Artistic Director to the Boston Symphony.

MA Lighting is exclusively distributed by A.C.T Lighting. A leading importer and distributor of lighting products, A.C.T Lighting, Inc. strives to identify future trends and cutting-edge products, and stock, sell and support their inventory. The company provides superior customer service and value for money to all of its clients.

For more information call 818-707-0884.

Copyright © ACT Lighting 2010. All rights reserved.

UPDATE: DUE TO IMPENDING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO FEBRUARY 18TH.

ACT Lighting, in support of Main Light Industries, will be participating in a Manufacturer’s Day Thursday, February 18th. Along with ACT Lighting, representatives from ICD Coemar will also be available. This event is open to anyone and everyone in the entertainment lighting and video industry. Hosting the event, and offering their warehouse space, is Main Light Industries – a popular distributor and rental house for ACT Lighting products.

At the event, you can meet and greet with ACT Lighting’s Vice President of Sales, Brian Dowd, along with Technical Support and Training Specialist, Jason Baeri. During the day, get hands-on time with two grandMA 2 Full Size consoles, the MA Lighting VPU media server, the iPix BB7 LED Beamlight and the rechargeable GDS LiteWare RGB LED Uplighter.

The event on February 18th runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm in Main Light Industries’ shop. You can RSVP by emailing John DiEleuterio at john@mainlight.com or by visiting the Event Page on Facebook.

Main Light Industries can be found at:
1614 Newport Gap Pike
Wilmington, DE 19808 US
302.998.8017

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Last month, you may have seen our video preview of an interview with ACT Lighting’s own Joe Cabrera and Brian Dowd. This interview, conducted by Justin Lang of iSquint.net, was part of a longer podcast detailing the new features of the grandMA2 console. The complete interview is now available, and you can enjoy it here (below), or by visiting iSquint.net.

ACT Lighting’s VP of Sales, Brian Dowd, talks to Justin Lang (isquint.net) about the GrandMA 2. Brian discusses where the console is being used and where it’s going.

For more videos like this one, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

ACT Lighting’s Director of Software Support and Development, Joe Cabrera, sits down with Justin Lang from iSquint.net to talk about what’s different with the grandMA 2 console hardware and software. This interview is part of a longer audio podcast which is forthcoming from iSquint.net. Once the full podcast is posted, I’ll be sure to add it to this blog.