# Glossary

Source: https://help.malighting.com/grandMA3/2.3/HTML/glossary.html
This is grandocs, an unofficial mirror of MA Lighting documentation. For authoritative or safety-relevant information, cite the canonical page on help.malighting.com.

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The following collection of abbreviations, acronyms and fundamental lighting terms can be found in the grandMA3 user manual.

To open the glossary in the grandMA3 software:

1. Press Help and enter Glossary into the command line.
2. Press Please. The Glossary opens.

## A

**[]()ACN** -**** Architecture for Control Networks\
Is a suite protocol. It uses a lot of elements that are currently not supported by grandMA3. But the ACN protocols also have a version for transporting DMX data. For more information on ACN, see [sACN menu](/grandma3/2-3/dmx_ethernet_sacn/).

**ANSI** -**** American National Standards Institute

**Art-Net**\
Art-Net 4 Ethernet communication standard is developed by Artistic Licence. For information about Art-Net in the grandMA3 software, see [Art-Net menu](/grandma3/2-3/dmx_ethernet_artnet/).

**Attributes**\
Attributes are the building blocks of fixture types. For more information, see [Attribute definitions](/grandma3/2-3/patch_attribute_definitions/).

## B

**bit** -**** binary digit

**bpm** -**** beats per minute

## C

**CIE** - Commission internationale de l'éclairage

**CLI** - Command-line interaction

**Command**\
A command is a phrase in the syntax that can be entered into the command line to perform a specific action.

**Command Line**\
The syntax to control the console can be entered in the Command Line. For more information, see [Command Line](/grandma3/2-3/ws_ui_command_line/).

**Conventional lights**\
Lighting device with dimmer only.

**CPU** -**** Central Processing Unit

**Cue**\
Cues can contain fixture values, references to presets, and recipes. Cues are organized in a sequence. For more information, see [Cues and Sequences](/grandma3/2-3/cue_sequence/).

 

## D

**dBu** -**** decibel unloaded

**DC** -**** Direct Current

**DHCP** -**** Dynamic Host Control Protocol\
Is a system where IP addresses are distributed from a DHCP server. For more information on how to set IP addresses, see [Interfaces and IP](/grandma3/2-3/network_interface/).

**[]()DMX** -**** Digital Multiplex\
Communication protocol to send a digital signal from a controller to a receiver. A single DMX cable can transmit one Universe.

**DMX Channel**\
A single DMX Channel has a value between 0 and 255.

**DMX Universe**\
A DMX Universe contains 512 DMX channels.

**Dual Encoder**\
The five dual encoders on a console or a command wing are used to adjust the different attributes of the fixtures or other functions. For more information, see [Dual Encoders](/grandma3/2-3/do_control_encoder/).

## E

**Encoder Bar**\
Displays the attributes or functions linked to the encoders and includes shortcuts for quick access to a selection of user profile settings and programming tools. For more information, see [Encoder Bar](/grandma3/2-3/ws_encoder_bar/).

**Executors**\
Executors (Exec) are physical keys, knobs, and faders on the grandMA3 hardware. They can also be represented as on-screen virtual executors. For more information, see [Executors](/grandma3/2-3/executor/).

**Extension**\
Allows to extend the amount of physical executor handles for specific grandMA3 products. For more information, see [Connect grandMA3 extension](/grandma3/2-3/fs_connect_extension/).

 

## F

**Fader Wing**\
An additional fader for the grandMA3 onPC system. For more information, see [grandMA3 onPC fader wing](/grandma3/2-3/do_grandma3_onpc_fader_wing/).

**Fixture**\
A complete lighting unit including at least a housing and a lamp.

**Fixture Type**\
Fixture types are used to visualize and control real-life fixtures on stage. For more information, see [Fixture Types](/grandma3/2-3/fixture_types/).

**fps** - frames per second

## G

**GB** - Gigabyte

**GDTF** - General Device Type Format\
Is a file format used to describe devices. For information about GDTF, see GDTF Share.

**GlobalMaster**\
This is the session master station in all networked systems. For more information, see [Locally Networked Devices](/grandma3/2-3/system_local/).

**GPI** - General Purpose Interface

**Grand Master**\
Is used to limit the output of the intensity of all the fixtures patched in a show. For more information, see [Grand Master](/grandma3/2-3/do_control_grand/).

**Groups**\
Groups contain a selection of fixtures. This includes the order and grid position of the selection. This can be used as a programming tool, where it is a fast way to select the fixtures. For more information about Groups, see [Groups](/grandma3/2-3/group/).

## H

**Hex** - Hexadecimal

**Highlt** - Highlight\
See [Highlt key](/grandma3/2-3/key_highlt/).

**HTP** - Highest Takes Precedence\
The highest value will be output, mostly used with Dimmer. For more information about priorities, see [LTP](/grandma3/2-3/glossary/#LTP2).

**Hz** - Hertz

 

## I

**IdleMaster**\
When a console is ready to be connected to another station, the console is in IdleMaster mode. For more Information, see [Standalone Device](/grandma3/2-3/system_standalone/).

**IEC** - International Electrotechnical Commission

**IP** - Internet Protocol

## K

**Keywords**\
Defined word in the software with a specific usage.

## L

**LED** - Light Ermitting Diode\
An intelligent light with a LED source.

**Level Wheel**\
The level wheel on the right side of a console or command wing is always assigned to dimmer attributes.

**log** - logarithm

**Lua**\
Lua is a scripting language designed to support general procedural programming. For more information, see [What is Lua](/grandma3/2-3/lua/).

**LTC** - Linear Time Code

**[]()****LTP****** - Latest Takes Precedence\
Most recent value will be output, mostly used for all attributes besides Dimmer. For more information about priorities, see [DMX port configuration](/grandma3/2-3/dmx_port_config/).

 

## M

**mA** - milliampere

**Macro**\
Macros are commands stored in a pool object. For more information, see [Macros](/grandma3/2-3/macros/).

**Master**\
Masters are physical representations of various timing and level overrides that exist in the software. For more information, see [Masters](/grandma3/2-3/masters/).

**MB** - Megabyte

**MIB** - Move In Black\
For more information, see [Move In Black](/grandma3/2-3/cue_mib/).

**MIDI** - Musical Instrument Digital Interface\
A standard communication protocol. For more information about MIDI, see [MIDI](/grandma3/2-3/remote_inputs_midi/).

**Moving Light**\
Lighting instrument with additional attributes other than dimmer. It is possible to control the position of a Moving Light from a console.

**MSC** - MIDI Show Control\
Sends functions via MIDI signal from an executor to another device, for example a console or MIDI sequencer.

**Multi-Instance Fixture**\
A lighting instrument with multiple individually controllable sections.

**MVR** - My Virtual Rig\
MVR is a file format that is used to share data for a patch. For more information, see [MVR](/grandma3/2-3/patch_mvr/).

## O

**OS** -** **Operating System

**OSC** - Open Sound Control\
OSC is a client and server system that defines a message address pattern used to address elements in the receiving server. For more information, see [OSC](/grandma3/2-3/remote_inputs_osc/).

 

## P

**Pan**\
Horizontal movement axis of a fixture.

**Parameters**\
A parameter can use several DMX channels. For more information, see [Parameters](/grandma3/2-3/system_parameter/).

**Patch**\
In the Patch, the DMX universes, addresses and modes for the fixture types are defined.

**Phasers**\
Dynamically changes the output for attributes using a set of information in two or more steps. For more information, see [Phasers](/grandma3/2-3/phaser/).

**PoE** - Power over Ethernet

**Playback**\
Recalling stored information physically (for example, fader) or graphically (user interface) on a console. A preset, a sequence with cues, or a timecode show can be played back. For more information, see [Playback Window](/grandma3/2-3/executor/).

**Presets**\
Presets are containers for values. For example, when the same values are used in different cues several times. For more information, see [Presets](/grandma3/2-3/presets/).

**Prev** - Previous\
See [Prev key](/grandma3/2-3/key_prev/).

**Programmer**\
The programmer is a temporary memory, where the active values are placed. The values can then be stored or released. For more information, see [Programmer](/grandma3/2-3/operate_fixtures/).

**Prvw** - Preview\
See [Prvw key](/grandma3/2-3/key_prvw/).

**PSN** - PosiStageNet\
grandMA3 stations can receive PSN data. For more information, see [PSN](/grandma3/2-3/remote_inputs_psn/).

**PSR** - Partial Show Read\
PSR transfers objects of show files. For more information, see [PSR](/grandma3/2-3/sc_psr/).

**PWM** - Pulse Width Modulation

 

## R

**RAM** - Random Access Memory

**RCA** - Radio Corporation of America

**RDM** - Remote Device Management\
Permits intelligent bidirectional communication between devices from multiple manufacturers using a modified DMX512 data link. For more information, see [RDM](/grandma3/2-3/rdm/).

**RPM** - Rounds per Minute

## S

**S/PDIF** - Sony/Philips Digital Interface

**sACN** - Streaming Architecture for Control Networks\
For more information, see [ACN](/grandma3/2-3/glossary/#ACN).

**SelFix** - SelectFixture\
See [SelFix key](/grandma3/2-3/key_selfix/).

**Sequence**\
A sequence contains cues that can be played back in a defined order. For more information, see [Cues and Sequences](/grandma3/2-3/cue_sequence/).

**SMPTE** - Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

**SSD** - Solid-State Drive

**SSE** - Streaming SIMD Extensions

**STP** - Shielded Twisted Pair

**Syntax**\
The command line syntax is used to create valid commands. For more information, see [Syntax](/grandma3/2-3/csk_general_keywords/).

 

## T

**TC** - Timecode\
Timecode is a time signal used to let off the recordings of a playback or trigger cues. For more information, see [Timecode](/grandma3/2-3/timecode/).

**TCP** - Transmission Control Protocol

**Tilt**\
Vertical movement axis of a fixture.

**Tracking**\
Tracking is the principle to store only the changes in the cues. For more information, see [Tracking](/grandma3/2-3/cue_tracking/).

## U

**UDP** - User Datagram Protocol

**UI** - User Interface\
See [User Interface](/grandma3/2-3/ws_user_interface/).

**UUID** - Universally Unique Identifier

## V

**Variable\
**Variables are used to store values and recall them at a later point. For more information, see [Variables](/grandma3/2-3/macro_variables/).

**V** - Volt

**VRAM** -**** Video Random Access Memory

## W

**Web remote**\
See [Web remote](/grandma3/2-3/network_webremote/).

## X

**XFade** - Crossfade\
For more information, see [Assign object to an executor](/grandma3/2-3/executor_assign/).

**XLR** - External Line Return

**XML** - Extensible Markup Language