Design · Beginner
Learn the grandMA3 console from first patch to first cue
A recorded, self-paced programme for lighting operators who are new to grandMA3 and want a reliable working method.
- 18 recorded lessons
- 4 practical modules
- Practice show file and worksheets
- Lifetime access
- 14-day money-back guarantee
Why grandMA3 feels different
You already know how a lighting rig works. You understand DMX, Art-Net or sACN, and you have probably spent years on another console. Then you sit in front of grandMA3 and the familiar shortcuts are gone. The screens look different, the buttons behave differently, and the system seems to ask you to think in a new way.
That is not a small detail. grandMA3 has its own philosophy. Operators who try to force old habits onto it often end up pressing buttons without understanding what the console is doing. The show may run, but every change feels fragile. The better path is to learn the system's logic from the beginning, even if you are an experienced operator.
This recorded programme gives you that path. It starts with the model range, software and show files, then moves through patching, fixture selection, groups, presets, phasers, cues, sequences and executors. Each lesson explains what you are doing and why the console responds the way it does.
The course is built for self-study. You can pause, rewind and repeat a demonstration as often as you need. You can work on a grandMA3 console or wing, or follow along in the onPC software where the lesson allows it. The aim is not to memorise a list of button presses. The aim is to build a working method you can trust under show pressure.
What you will be able to do
By the end of the programme, you will have a practical foundation for operating grandMA3 on real shows.
- Navigate the grandMA3 interface with purpose
Open the windows you need, arrange your workspace and understand how the main areas relate to each other.
- Create and manage show files safely
Start a new show, save versions and move files between systems without losing work.
- Patch fixtures and calculate parameters
Work out parameter counts, patch conventional and moving fixtures, and keep your patch organised.
- Select fixtures and build useful groups
Use fixture sheets, layouts and selection tools to move quickly from a rig to a working group structure.
- Save, edit and recall presets
Build presets that stay useful when the show changes, and edit them without breaking existing cues.
- Create phasers for movement and dimmer effects
Understand the phaser model and build simple effects that you can control and reuse.
- Record cues and sequences
Capture looks, build cue lists and make changes without losing the structure of the show.
- Configure executors for playback
Assign cues and sequences to executors, set fader modes and run a simple show from the console.
- 4
- modules
- 18
- recorded lessons
- 6 h
- of video and practice
- 12
- practice assignments
How the course works
The programme is delivered as recorded video lessons with supporting worksheets and practice briefs. There are no live sessions and no fixed class times. You work through the modules in order, pausing whenever you need to try something on your own system.
Each module begins with a short overview, then moves into demonstrations and practical tasks. The lessons show the console screen and the steps clearly, so you can follow along at your own pace. The worksheets give you a place to note your patch, your groups and your cue structure as you build a practice show.
You do not need to finish in a set number of days. Most learners spread the work over three to five weeks, spending a few hours per week. Others move faster. Your access does not expire, so you can return to any lesson when a real show raises a question.
The programme
Four modules take you from the first show file to a complete practice playback.
1Module 1 — The grandMA3 system and your first show fileUnderstand the console family, update the software and set up a clean working file.4 lessons · 80 min
- The grandMA3 model range and what each control surface offers
- Updating the software safely before you start a show
- Creating, saving and managing show files
- Arranging windows and screens for the way you work
2Module 2 — Patching and organising fixturesBuild a reliable patch and learn how to select and group fixtures quickly.5 lessons · 100 min
- Calculating parameters before you patch
- Patching conventional and moving fixtures
- Setting up the 3D view for visual checks
- Selecting fixtures and building groups
- Using fixture sheets and layout views to keep control
3Module 3 — Presets, phasers and recipesSave useful looks, edit them safely and build simple effects with the phaser model.4 lessons · 80 min
- Saving and recalling presets for colour, position and beam
- Editing presets without breaking existing cues
- Building phasers for movement and dimmer effects
- Using recipes inside cues to keep effects flexible
4Module 4 — Cues, sequences and executorsRecord a cue list, assign playback controls and run a complete practice show.5 lessons · 100 min
- Recording your first cue and checking the result
- Building sequences with multiple cues
- Configuring executor functions and fader assignments
- Playback modes and practical executor settings
- A complete practice show from patch to playback
What you get
Everything is delivered online and stays available after purchase.
- 18 recorded video lessons
Four modules of clear, screen-led demonstrations you can pause and repeat.
- A downloadable practice show file
A starting point for the exercises, so you can compare your work with a working structure.
- Lesson worksheets and patch checklists
Printable pages for parameter counts, fixture lists, groups and cue notes.
- 12 practice assignments
Short briefs that turn each topic into a task on your own console or onPC setup.
- A cue and executor reference sheet
A quick reminder of the playback settings covered in the final module.
- Lifetime access to all materials
Return to any lesson when a real show raises a question.
- 14-day money-back guarantee
If the programme is not right for you, request a refund within 14 days of purchase.
A note on practice and equipment
You will get the most from this course if you can practise on a grandMA3 console or wing. The lessons demonstrate the physical controls, and the exercises assume you can reach them. If you only have the onPC software, you can still follow the theory and complete many of the tasks, but some exercises will be harder without a control surface.
A USB drive formatted to FAT32 with a capacity of 32 GB or less is useful for moving show files between systems. A notebook or a second screen for the worksheets also helps. The course does not supply hardware, and it does not include live coaching or in-person attendance.
Is this course for you?
This course is for you if…
- Lighting operators and lighting designers who already understand DMX, Art-Net or sACN
- Experienced users of other consoles who are moving to grandMA3 for the first time
- Operators who have access to a grandMA3 console or wing for practice
- Professionals who want a structured, self-paced foundation before working on real shows
- People who prefer recorded lessons they can pause, repeat and revisit
Probably not a fit if…
- Complete beginners who have never worked with lighting consoles or fixture control
- Anyone looking for a lighting design course about creating beautiful scenes
- People who want live classroom training, personal coaching or in-person attendance
- Anyone without access to a grandMA3 system or onPC setup for practice
- Operators who already know grandMA3 well and want advanced topics only
After the course
You will be able to open a new show file, patch a small rig and organise your fixtures into groups that make sense. You will know how to save presets that stay useful, build simple phasers and record a cue list without losing control of the structure.
More importantly, you will understand why the console behaves as it does. When a cue needs a change, you will know where to look. When a fixture does not respond, you will have a method for checking the patch, the selection and the programming. That understanding is what makes the next step possible.
The course does not turn you into a lighting designer, and it does not replace hours behind the console. It gives you the foundation to practise with purpose. From there, you can keep building speed on your own shows or move on to more advanced grandMA3 topics with a clearer mental model.
Questions before you buy
How much time do I need per week?
Most learners spend three to five hours per week over three to five weeks. The course is self-paced, so you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule and how much time you spend practising on a console.
Do I need previous grandMA3 experience?
No. This is a beginner-level programme for operators who are new to grandMA3. You should already understand basic lighting control, fixture types and protocols such as DMX, Art-Net or sACN. The course starts from the grandMA3 basics.
What equipment do I need?
A grandMA3 console or wing is recommended for the practical exercises. You can follow the lessons with the onPC software, but some tasks assume physical controls. A USB drive formatted to FAT32 with a capacity of 32 GB or less is useful for moving show files.
How do I get access after payment?
Access is delivered online after payment. You receive the course materials in your account and can start with the first module immediately. There are no live sessions and no scheduled class times.
What format are the lessons in?
The lessons are recorded video demonstrations with supporting worksheets and practice assignments. You watch them on your own schedule, pause when you need to try something and return to any lesson later.
How long do I keep access to the material?
You keep lifetime access to the recorded lessons, worksheets and practice materials. The material stays available after purchase, so you can revisit it when a real show raises a question.
What is the refund policy?
The course comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. If the programme is not right for you, you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase.
I already use grandMA2. Is this course still right for me?
If you have extensive grandMA2 experience, an advanced grandMA3 programme may suit you better. This course starts from the beginning and explains the grandMA3 philosophy, which is useful if you are new to the system even when you are an experienced operator.
Can I follow the course without a console?
You can follow the theory and many demonstrations with the onPC software, but the course is designed around practical work. Some exercises will be difficult without a console or wing. If you can arrange access to one, you will get much more from the programme.
Start your first grandMA3 show file this week
Work through the lessons at your own pace and build a foundation you can use on real shows.