Controlling GrandMA on PC from Qlab

[zestie]

I am running sound and video using Qlab on a Mac mini. For lighting control we are using GrandMA on PC from an old Thinkpad laptop w/WinXP (through a 2Port node). This system works but I would really like to run everything from Qlab. What are my options? 

Note I am not necessarily talking about getting rid of the PC, but finding a way to trigger lighting cues on the Thinkpad  from Qlab n the Mac mini using MIDI commands or whatever else there is. 

Also note that this is a small theatre with mostly simple productions so nothing too complex is required. 

Hordur

[ra byn taylor]

Using an IMAC & Parallels to run Light Factory (PC only), I do this all day.

Midi cues in QLab trigger LF2 shortcuts I set up as midi note triggers.

Assuming that GrandMA can accept midi note triggers, it's simple. If GrandMA allows for MSC, it might even be easier.

Do you already own (2) midi interfaces. One for outputting from Qlab & the other to catch on the PC?

I've found the trickiest part to be dealing with  X.X cues (example cue 10.5) but it's doable.

In my case I built a Qlab cue list with 200 light cues in it. Then I setup 200 triggers in LF2. When I start a new show, I don't have to deal with any programming (other than the light cues themselves) until the LD starts to add point cues. Then I have to go back & add special midi cues on both ends to cover those.

If you can get the LD to agree to leave some space in between each non point cue (so you don't have to add any later), you could just delete the extra cues on Qlab.

If you program your lighting first & then setup your Qlab midi trigger list, it's simple. But I've found that LDs always add cues. Even after the show has finished tech-ing. It's their nature:)

ra byn (robin)

Write me offlist if you want more information.

[Joey Buddenberg]

You can easily trigger cues via MSC on GrandMA onPC. Just use a M-audio midisport or something like that. Connect Qlab midi out to midi in of MA onPC and you're good to go!

Did a tour with exactly this setup.

[nizer]

To trigger a grandma board directly you must use the executor number and not the cue list number.

[zestie]

Thanks for the input guys. You've given me a lot to work with.