Spotlight on MA Lighting: A Journey Through Innovation
Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Adenau in Germany, MA Lighting International has transformed from a visionary startup into a global powerhouse in lighting control and live‑event technology. Let’s take an illuminating tour through their product milestones—past, present, and everything in between.
1. The Beginning: Foundations in Control (1980s–1990s)
1985 – Lightcommander 24 & 48: These early lighting control desks, featuring real‑level memory, helped establish MA’s reputation for innovation
1988 – LCD 120 Console: With its LCD interface, this console stood out and made a splash internationally via PLASA (London) and LDI (Nashville) events
1992 – Scancommander: A groundbreaking product in moving light control, this console shifted industry paradigms by moving beyond dimmer‑centric systems.
1995 – Touring Dimmers: High‑density, reliable dimming solutions that resonated with touring professionals.
2. A New Era Takes Shape: grandMA and Its Ecosystem (Late 1990s–2000s)
1997 – grandMA Console: A game‑changer. With full‑colour touchscreens, motorised faders, built‑in UPS, and a hard drive, it raised the bar for lighting control.
2000–2001: Expansion of the grandMA family:
grandMA Light, grandMA Replay, grandMA Offline Editor
grandMA Ultra‑Light arrives in autumn 2001
2002–2003: Introduction of the grandMA 3D visualiser, PDA remote control, and software enhancements like Gobo and Fixture Preview via version 4.
2004: Software version 5 enabled reliable control of up to 64 DMX universes using MA NSP (Network Signal Processor), while grandMA onPC, grandMA micro, and dimMA made their debut.
2007: MA evolved into a fully scalable system, capable of robust multi‑console operations and expanded global offices to support its growth.
2008: Launch of grandMA2—an evolution retaining core grandMA usability while refining software and display for a cleaner user experience.
3. Expanding Capabilities: Video, Networking & On-PC Flexibility (2009–2015)
2009 – MA VPU (Video Processing Unit): MA extended into video control, enabling video to be managed as intuitively as lighting.
2011–2012: Entry into the on‑PC hardware realm:
MA onPC Command Wing (2011)
dot2 product line—including consoles, wings, and visualization tools (2012)
High‑speed Node devices for Ethernet to DMX conversion.
2015:
dot2 family and dot2 onPC solutions make sophisticated control accessible to smaller-sized projects.
MA Network Switch simplifies lighting network setup by providing robust, integrated network infrastructure.
4. The Modern Era: grandMA3 and Beyond (2018–Present)
2018 – grandMA3 debuts with a reimagined architecture, intuitive user interface, and advanced feature–fixture handling.
2019–2021: Expansion into fixed installations and modular hardware:
grandMA3 xPort Node DIN‑Rail (2019)
grandMA3 onPC Command Wing XT, Fader Wing, xPort Node, I/O Node, viz‑key (2020)
grandMA3 onPC Rack Unit (2021) targets installations in theaters, studios, theme parks
5. In Action Today: grandMA3 in High-Profile Events
At the 2025 AT&T WNBA All‑Star Weekend, two grandMA3 consoles, supported by XL processors and multiple 8‑port nodes, drove the halftime show’s lighting control—underscoring the system’s reliability on high‑stakes stages.
MA Lighting’s evolution is a clear reflection of the live entertainment industry’s push toward flexibility, integration, and scalability.
From analogue beginnings with Lightcommander and Scancommander,
Through the grandMA revolution with powerful hardware and software innovations,
To the eventual rise of modular, networked systems, including video and on‑PC adaptability,
Now culminating in grandMA3—a comprehensive, future‑ready platform with broad deployment options.
Their product journey is anchored in a constant commitment to usability, performance, and support worldwide—bolstered by initiatives like MA University and 24/7 service.
Whether it’s a touring concert, television studio, or immersive architectural setup, MA Lighting has shaped and continues to define the standard for control in modern lighting design.