This topic includes:
Introduction
MA-Net from MA Lighting is a proprietary Ethernet network protocol. MADRIX supports it natively.
MADRIX supports:
Step-By-Step Configuration
1] Set up networking for your MA product.
2] Set up the correct network settings in Windows.
3] Enable drivers in MADRIX.
4] Activate the devices.
5] Set up remote control.
1] Setting Up MA Networking
▪ | Make sure to connect your MA devices and the MADRIX computer in the same Ethernet network over network cabling [and possibly a network switch]!
[For example, use the Ethernet 1 port for products of the grandMA 2 series and the network card of the computer that runs the MADRIX software.] |
▪ | Consult the user manual of your MA product to set up the correct settings for MA-Net for your MA product. |
▪ | Start Networking for your MA product.
[For example, go to Setup > Network to start or join a session for products of the grandMA 2 series.] |
2] Windows Network Settings
MA-Net is a network-based protocol. MADRIX will use the network card of your computer to receive data.
▪ | It is required to set up the correct network settings in Windows, first. |
▪ | You must use the correct IP address and Subnet mask settings. Otherwise, MA-Net might not work! |
▪ | The IP addresses of your computer and your MA-Net devices need to be different.
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▪ | Set up an individual IP address according to the IP address range of your MA product.
- Make sure that the first, second, and third part of the IP address are the same. The fourth part must be different from your MA product.
- A general recommendation is:
- 192.168.X.1 ... 192.168.X.254 |
▪ | Set up the corresponding Subnet mask
- 255.0.0.0
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▪ | Restart MADRIX, if you have changed the network settings in Windows while MADRIX was running. |
▪ | Check the settings of the Windows Firewall. |
▪ | Example for PCs that are running MADRIX: |
3] Enabling Drivers In MADRIX
▪ | Go to Preferences > Options... > Devices Network
[Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+O > Devices Network] |
▪ | Choose the correct network/network card from the drop-down list.
- Always make sure that you have selected the correct network. Otherwise, no data can be received. |
▪ | - Defines the protocol version.
- Choose the correct MA-Net here [MA-Net 1 or MA-Net 2].
- MA-Net 1 is used by the grandMA1 series.
- MA-Net 2 is used by the grandMA2 series. |
▪ | Session ID - Defines the session you want to work in. Choose the session you have set up in your MA product also here. |
▪ | Universes (Start / End) - Defines the universe or universe you wish to receive.
- The default Start Universe is 1 and the default End Universe is 1, which means that one DMX universe will be received. |
4] Activating Devices
▪ | Go to Preferences > Device Manager... > DMX Devices
[Keyboard shortcut: F4] |
▪ | MADRIX automatically adds the number of MA-Net universes/devices according to your settings for Start Universe and End Universe |
▪ | Your devices are automatically activated. |
▪ | If it is no activated, select your devices in the list, activate Enable, and click Apply |
▪ | Input is automatically activated.
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▪ | Since MADRIX will receive data, the Frame Time and FPS [Frame Rate] are managed automatically by MADRIX.
[Please note when checking incoming data via the Task Watcher: A maximum frame rate of 30 Hz will be sent by your MA product over MA-Net.] |
5] Setting Up Remote Control
▪ | Go to Preferences > Device Manager... > DMX Input |
▪ | Select your preferred DMX Universe in the list.
[By default, DMX universe 1 to 8 are listed. If you wish to increase the number of DMX-IN universes, you can change the setting. Learn more »Performance] |
▪ | Select your DMX-IN Device in the section Device by choosing the MA Lighting MA-Net device. |
▪ | [If needed, you can disable DMX-IN by deselecting the device under DMX-IN Device and choose the list entry that is empty or disable the interface under Device Manager... > DMX Devices.] |
▪ | Make sure that your device is still selected in the list. |
▪ | Select one of the built-in protocols in the section Remote Control [as explained below]
or create your own remote configuration. Learn more »DMX-IN Remote Editor |
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Open - Loads a previously saved MADRIX DMX Remote Configuration file [of the file type *.mdrx].
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Protocols - Choose from a pre-configured protocol [configuration].
Learn more Protocols [Overview]
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DMX-IN Remote Editor - Allows you to modify a configuration or create a new configuration.
Learn more »DMX-IN Remote Editor
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Start Address - Defines on which particular DMX channel the protocol should start. The whole protocol will be mapped to this new address area.
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DMX Watcher - Opens the DMX Watcher to monitor your DMX output or input
Watch Universe... - Appears when you have selected a list item. The DMX Watcher will open with the particular DMX Universe already entered.
Learn more »Tools
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Mapping is not available for MA-Net and cannot be enabled.
Protocols [Overview]
There are preprogrammed DMX protocols you can choose from:
Important Notes
▪ | Always make sure to have a valid network card active! Otherwise, MADRIX cannot receive MA-Net [even when using MADRIX and MA on PC on the same computer]. |
▪ | Always make sure to have a valid license for your MA product to send out Ethernet data or use a console.
[MA on PC requires an MA 2Port Node or MA onPC command wing, for example.] |
▪ | Please make sure to save your MADRIX Setup file after the configuration process. |
Troubleshooting
If you are encountering problems, please work through the following checklist:
▪ | Double-check the settings of your network card. |
▪ | Double-check the settings of the MA-Net devices in MADRIX. |
▪ | Double-check the configuration of your MA product. |
▪ | Check if your MA product has a valid license to send out Ethernet data. |
▪ | Use the DMX Watcher to monitor incoming data. |
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