Instrumental to them choosing it this time around was the new Universal Effects and Universal Presets, features implemented with the latest software upgrade. This means that if a colour is programmed in CMY it can be applied to all fixtures using a CMY effect, dispensing with the need for separate palates for fixtures. If two dimmer channels are used to create a dimmer effect (i.e. a chase) then stored as a Universal Effect, any fixture with a dimmer can be selected and this applied to it instantly.
There are two grandMA2 lights on the road - the show console and a backup, complete with an MA NPU (Network Processing Unit). The desk is also triggering a media server running 10 layers of video direct via Art-Net from the console, which feeds Pixled F-7 screens upstage for the arena shows.
The tour is currently in the US and is scheduled to run until September 2011, with lighting equipment and consoles being supplied in the US and Europe by Lite Alternative.
(Jim Evans)
