2009

Los Angeles, January 21, 2009

MA Lighting’s grandMA console is on the bill worldwide for heavy metal great Metallica’s 2008-2009 coffin-clad concerts. A.C.T Lighting is the exclusive distributor of the grandMA in North America.

The show theme, echoing the coffin motif of the the 25-year-career heavy metal wizards’ latest release, Death Magnetic, boasts 8 2-ton lighting structures, courtesy of lighting designer John Broderick. Programmer Troy Eckerman reflects that on the current tour, everything is “zero time cue – fast and furious. It’s all about horsepower and intensity, full-on and in-your-face.”

Besides Martin Stagebar 54 LED luminaires with full-size tracking backup in line for every show, the original lighting design had entailed a hard-edge, all wash light array, to be controlled by grandMA. “We’d needed lots of power to make a big statement,” says Eckerman. “And it takes lots of lights, almost all on all of the time.”

Eckerman acknowledges that at these majestic Metallica mortuaries, things get very loud and very bright. He adds that, given the circumstances, the grandMA console has been holding up “as stable as ever. It’s never been a problem.”

MA Lighting’s grandMA consoles offer immediate solutions ready for such applications as theatres, television, clubs, musical events, concert touring, amusement parks or cruise ships. They’re able to control moving lights, conventional lights, and effects, as well as LEDs and video – even when working in real time with maximum channel count. grandMAs provide a truly flexible and comfortable programming and operating environment, and are capable of controlling huge numbers of devices, elegantly.

Eckerman pays his respects to grandMA: “Console operator Rob Koenig knows Metallica like the back of his hand, and is very good at what he does. But then, grandMA takes what we do and makes it great!”

"It is always great working with pros like John Broderick and Troy Eckerman. I know that JB (John Broderick) relies on the console’s instant response. The lack of any disernable latency in the grandMA network enables them to run the show like the shows JB used to run in days of old on an analog console with 100 par cans. The difference is that he now runs an infinitely more complex show with thousands of high tech units. I bet that this show is pure fun to watch,” comments A.C.T Lighting President and CEO Bob Gordon.

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 2009.  All rights reserved.