History

Michael Adenau (MA) founds MA Lighting.

Software specialist Ernst Ebrecht joins MA Lighting. In this period MA introduced the Lightcommander 24 and Lightcommander 48 control desks - both received much praise. Their main feature is real level memory.

With the LCD 120 MA Lighting shocks all internationally established producers. Directly after its launch, the LCD 120 begins its first international tour with Mother's Finest.

1988 is also the international debut of MA products at the PLASA in London and the LDI in Nashville.

When launched in 1992 the MA Scancommander causes a huge stir in the burgeoning world of moving light control. This product establishes MA Lighting as a leading innovator of lighting control for the global touring and event sector. Leading producers of intelligent lighting show great interest in MA's new operating philosophy, which radically differs from the historical "dimmer-oriented" control systems of that time.

Launched in 1995, MA sets another standard with its touring dimmers. Also today they are mainly characterized by a high density construction and an outstanding reliability.

In the spring of 1997 MA introduces the eagerly awaited grandMA console to the world. Based on the MA Scancommander and Lighcommander this hybrid lighting control console brings a new level of hardware sophistication to the lighting world. The full color touch screens, motorized faders, built in UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and hard drive are only some of its many features.

The summer of 2000 sees the launch of a host of new products from MA: the grandMA light, the grandMA replay unit and the grandMA offline editor. In the autumn of 2001, the grandMA range is completed with the introduction of the grandMA ultra-light.

In 2001 MA Lighting International GmbH with its headquarters in Paderborn is founded. The new company is mainly responsible for the international distribution of MA Lighting products, especially for their sales, technical support and marketing.

In order to address the needs of the different market segments, MA develops further comprehensive software tools that bidirectionally communicate with the console: the real-time 3D visualiser and professional pre-programming tool grandMA 3D and a remote control for PDAs. Software-Version 4 brought Gobo and Fixture Preview to the console.

With software version 5 grandMA becomes the one and only system in the market, that could stably and reliably control up to 64 DMX universes - via 16 MA NSP (Network Signal Processor). The MA NSP forms the bases for a complete integrated network solution – integrating also MA’s new digital dimming system for fixed installations: the dimMA. In addition, 2004 sees also the presentation of the grandMA onPC Software as well as the entry to the grandMA world, grandMA micro as well as grandMA onPC linked to one or two MA NSP. 

The overall development shows that grandMA has transformed from just a single product into a whole system. But this process requires an expansion of the capacity of the system as well. The MA System becomes the one and only scalable system in the market, that could stably and reliably control up to 64 DMX universes.

In 2007 MA Lighting founds as well its own international offices and support centres in the UK, Latin America, the Middle East/India, Asia Pacific and Scandinavia/Eastern Europe/Russia.

For the introduction of the grandMA2 series, MA Lighting receives much praise. During its development MA Lighting listened closely to the market and retained the intuitive grandMA “series 1” control philosophy including the same command line. Furthermore the software was optimised and the display “cleaned up” for more clarity, resulting in an even faster and more comfortable working environment.

MA Lighting’s MA Video Processing Unit (VPU) is especially developed to further extend the MA system by integrating innovative video control.The whole operation relies on MA's well established control philosophy and is therefore as straightforward as possible. Setting up and programming the MA VPU is really timesaving. This plug & play solution allows for instant show start. After connecting the MA VPU to a grandMA/grandMA2 console everything is ready to go. With the MA VPU video is controlled just like another lighting fixture.

The increased activities of MA Lighting International GmbH lead to further stages of expansion of the company area. Now 6 000m² of operational area are available.

2011 is the year of the MA onPC command wing. Designed as the perfect hardware expansion to the grandMA2 onPC software, the MA onPC command wing enables the look and feel of the software to be as close to a real grandMA2 console as possible. Thanks to the MA onPC command wing - incorporating the command section of the grandMA2 consoles - it has never been easier to use the grandMA2 onPC software. With a simple USB connection between the MA onPC command wing and the computer running the grandMA2 onPC software, all inputs and outputs of a grandMA2 console are available to the user. DMX, Midi, Timecode and Analogue Remote are all on hand directly at the MA onPC command wing.

In 2012 MA Lighting expands its onPC solutions with the MA onPC fader wing. In connection with the free-of-charge grandMA2 onPC software it offers 2 048 parameters that can be sent via its four built-in DMX-ports as well as via Ethernet protocols. Additionally, the MA onPC fader wing is designed to perfectly extend the MA onPC command wing and get the maximum out of the grandMA2 onPC software.

2012 also sees the birth of MA 8Port Node and MA 4 Port Node as well as their onPC versions. The MA 8Port Node and MA 4Port Node sets an additional benchmark in MA Lighting’s networking product range as they feature the 1Gbit capability. They allow the conversion of Ethernet data into DMX or vice versa and fit perfectly into the MA system and its MA-Net2 protocol which is based on this high speed to ensure maximum performance.

In 2013 MA Lighting introduces the MA VPU light (Video Processing Unit). With this product MA has developed a smart and compact video control offering nearly the same performance as the successful MA VPU plus and MA VPU basic. Only 2HU height, the MA VPU light features sophisticated hardware and proven MA software. Furthermore the in-built screen displays all essential information about the status of the MA VPU light.

2014 sees the introduction of the MA 2Port Node onPC 2K, MA 2Port Node onPC 1K and MA 2Port Node as well as the MA 2Port Node and MA 4Port Node Wall Mount (WM) for 1Gbit networks. The new range sets an additional benchmark in MA Lighting’s networking product range as they feature the 1Gbit capability. They allow the conversion of Ethernet data into DMX or vice versa and fit perfectly into the MA system and its MA-Net2 protocol which is based on this high speed to ensure maximum performance.

In 2015 MA presents a new range of compact lighting control solutions – the dot2. The dot2 range consists of three lighting consoles; dot2 core, dot2 XL-F, dot2 XL-B; two playback expansion wing solutions; dot2 F-wing and dot2 B-wing and the dot2 Node4 (1K) network output node as well as the dot2 onPC console software and the dot2 3D visulisation software solutions.

Designed for small and mid-sized projects and venues, dot2 offers advanced functionality with outstanding ease-of-use. Full tracking backup is available via plug and play networking.

By the end of 2015 MA introduces the MA Network Switch. With the MA Network Switch, the setup time and the level of complexity to achieve an optimised lighting network is radically reduced. MA offers the complete lighting control solution from MA console, via MA Network Switch and its network infrastructure to MA DMX distribution.

In combination with the MA consoles and additional MA networking devices the MA Network Switch provides a very easy to use solution, even for complex lighting systems. Incorporating the hardware and software features MA is famous for.

In January 2018 MA Lighting presents with the grandMA3 series a radical re-think of what’s possible from a lighting control platform. The new system-architecture incorporates new fixture, feature and effects-handling.

The system features ground-breaking concepts from top industry visionaries, presented within a refined user interface, and is designed to make practical tasks more intuitive. The physical design detail of the grandMA3 range is extraordinary and focused on delivering the best possible user experience, now and into the future.

In 2019 MA introduces the grandMA3 xPort Node DIN-Rail for converting large data volumes from Ethernet to DMX. The optimized DIN rail housing allows for easy and time-saving mounting in fixed installations of any kind and can be entirely powered by PoE (Power over Ethernet).

2020 sees the birth of the grandMA3 onPC command wing XT as a grandMA3 onPC console solution. With the grandMA3 onPC software pre-installed on the built-in, genuine MA motherboard, the grandMA3 onPC command wing XT is a 4 096 parameter console that can be used in nearly any location – just add a touchscreen monitor, and it´s ready to go!

The grandMA3 onPC fader wing and the grandMA3 onPC xPort Node DIN-Rail are introduced in 2020. The grandMA3 onPC fader wing is designed as the perfect hardware playback expansion to the grandMA3 onPC software. The grandMA3 onPC xPort Node is specifically designed for the ever-increasing demands in fixed installation applications.

2020 was also the start for grandMA3 I/O Node and grandMA3 viz-key. While the grandMA3 I/O Node is the multi-tool of signal distribution within a grandMA3 lighting control system the grandMA3 viz-key is the easiest way ever to cross-connect between any scale of grandMA3 lighting control system and compatible 3^rd party visualizers.

In 2021 MA introduces the grandMA3 onPC rack-unit in 19" format. It is the perfect solution for fixed installations such as theaters, TV/streaming studios, theme parks or architectural lighting. The grandMA3 onPC rack-unit can be used as a stand-alone lighting control unit or wherever automatically running shows are controlled by external triggers or the Agenda function.