Guide · grandMA2 / grandMA3 → VJ-LinkControl visuals from a grandMA
Run the screens like a fixture: scenes, colors, strobe and blackout come from the grandMA, the visuals follow the beat of the music.
Short answer
Set the grandMA to send Art-Net or sACN to the VJ-Link computer, save VJ-Link's channel list and patch it as a fixture with 91 channels. Then every executor can recall a scene, set the five color slots, the opacity of four layers, the strobe and the blackout. With LJ-Link the tempo comes straight from the DJ.
What you need
- A grandMA2 or grandMA3 console or onPC with network output.
- A computer with VJ-Link in the same network (same IP range), and a projector or LED wall on it.
- Optional: LJ-Link for the tempo of the DJ.
grandMA2 and grandMA2 onPC: step by step
- Setup → Network → Network Protocols.
- Switch Art-Net (or sACN) on and set the line to Output with the universe VJ-Link listens to. Art-Net universe 0 in VJ-Link is often shown as 0.0 or 1 on the MA; check with the live values under CONNECT.
- Save the channel list in VJ-Link (CONNECT → Save channel list) and patch VJ-Link with 91 channels at the start address.
- Move the master channel: the DMX pill in VJ-Link turns green and the picture follows.
grandMA3 and grandMA3 onPC: step by step
- Menu → In & Out → DMX Protocols.
- Add an Art-Net or sACN line, mode Output, the universe VJ-Link listens to, and as destination the VJ-Link computer (or broadcast).
- Patch VJ-Link with the 91 channels of the channel list.
- Optional OSC: In & Out → OSC, a line with the VJ-Link computer and port 8000, mode Send. A command like SendOSC 1 "/vjlink/scene/go,i,3" recalls scene 3.
What the desk controls
- Global: master, strobe, scene, transition, tempo factor, effect intensity, auto and blackout.
- Five color slots with dimmer and RGB – the visuals take the colors of the light show.
- Layers 1–4: opacity, clip bank, clip, color source, speed, three effects, strobe and blend mode.
- Everything else can be mapped to any DMX channel, MIDI note or OSC address.
The other way round VJ-Link sends Art-Net or MIDI timecode, so a grandMA timecode show can run in sync with the videos of the show.
Questions
Which grandMA works?
grandMA2 and grandMA3, consoles and onPC, and the dot2 with Art-Net output. The profile follows the MA manuals and is not yet confirmed on every desk; Art-Net and sACN reception is tested.
Do I need a fixture file?
No. Patch 91 dimmer channels or build a fixture from the CSV channel list that VJ-Link saves.
How do the visuals get the BPM?
With LJ-Link the tempo and the phrases come from the Pioneer or Denon players; otherwise from Ableton Link, MIDI clock, the audio input or tap.
Free for macOS and Windows
VJ-Link is free and open source (EPL 2.0). Install it, open the demo show and you have live visuals in minutes.