grandMA3 Consoles and the NPU Explained

grandMA3 consoles come in several form factors: the compact grandMA3 light (2,048 parameters), the full-size grandMA3 (4,096 parameters), and the grandMA3 replay unit (for playback-only). All consoles run the same software and offer tactile faders, encoders, and a multi-touch screen interface. They serve as the primary control surface and processing hub, capable of running a show standalone or as part of a network.

Each console includes built-in DMX outputs (typically 4-8 universes) and Ethernet ports for Art-Net, sACN, and MA-Net3. The parameter limit is determined by the console's license; for example, a grandMA3 light supports up to 2,048 parameters, while the full-size supports 4,096. For larger shows, additional processing power is needed — that's where the NPU comes in.

grandMA3 onPC is the software version that runs on a standard Windows PC, providing the same programming environment as a console. It can be used for offline editing, pre-visualization, or as a backup control surface when paired with a touch screen or external hardware. However, onPC alone has limited parameter output (up to 2,048 with a purchased license) and no physical DMX ports.

To output DMX or Art-Net from onPC, you need either a grandMA3 Node (which converts network data to DMX) or an NPU. The onPC software can also participate in a grandMA3 session, allowing multiple consoles and NPUs to work together as one system.

The grandMA3 NPU is a dedicated hardware unit that adds processing power, parameter capacity, and network output to a grandMA3 system. It is essentially a headless processing engine — no physical faders or screens — that runs the same core software as a console. The NPU connects via Ethernet (MA-Net3) and can be controlled from any console or onPC station on the network.

Each NPU provides up to 4,096 parameters (depending on license) and 8 DMX universes via built-in ports, plus additional Art-Net/sACN outputs. Multiple NPUs can be stacked to reach the system maximum of 65,536 parameters (16 full-size console equivalents). The NPU also handles HTP (Highest Takes Precedence) merging, backup sessions, and redundancy.

You need an NPU when your show requires more parameters than your console can handle. For example, a grandMA3 light (2,048 params) controlling a large rig with moving lights, LED walls, and media servers may exceed that limit. Adding an NPU expands the parameter pool without requiring a more expensive console.

Other scenarios include: distributing DMX universes across multiple physical locations (e.g., FOH and stage racks), creating a redundant backup system (NPU can take over if the console fails), or running a session with multiple programming stations where each station needs its own processing load. NPUs are also used in permanent installations where a full console is not needed — just processing and network outputs.

All grandMA3 devices (consoles, onPC, NPUs) can join a common session via MA-Net3, a proprietary protocol that synchronizes show data, parameters, and cue lists. In a session, one device acts as the master (usually the console), while others can be slaves or backup units. The NPU appears as a processing node, contributing its parameters and DMX outputs to the shared pool.

Art-Net and sACN are supported for output to third-party devices (e.g., dimmers, LED drivers). The NPU can be configured to output these protocols on specific universes, making it versatile for hybrid networks. Redundancy is built in: if the master console loses connection, a backup NPU or console can automatically take over control.

For mission-critical shows, redundancy is essential. A typical setup includes a primary console and one or more NPUs configured as backup processors. The NPU can run in 'standby' mode, mirroring the console's parameter state. If the console fails, the NPU continues outputting the last active cue without interruption.

Additionally, multiple NPUs can be used in a 'load-sharing' configuration, where each handles a subset of parameters. If one NPU fails, its parameters are automatically reassigned to another NPU in the session. This level of redundancy is why grandMA3 systems are trusted for high-profile events like festivals, Broadway shows, and TV broadcasts.