1. Output: you need MA hardware
On its own, onPC is perfect for building a show, previewing and working with a visualiser. To send light to a real rig, you connect one of the grandMA3 onPC products. All of them unlock the full software; they differ in how many outputs you get.
| Product | What it adds |
|---|---|
| onPC DMX-key / DMX-key starter | Two DMX outputs in a compact USB key |
| onPC xPort Nodes | Network output (MA-Net3, MA-Net2, sACN, Art-Net), RDM, colour display |
| onPC command wing | Real keys and encoders, the mobile setup |
| onPC command wing XT | Command wing with a built-in MA motherboard |
| onPC fader wing | Extra faders for playback |
2. Will my computer run v2.5?
Version 2.5 moved its graphics to Vulkan, so check your graphics card before you update.
| Part | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 (1803+) or 11 (21H2+), 64-bit | |
| Mac | macOS Sonoma (14) or newer, Apple M1 or later (8+ cores) | |
| Processor (Windows) | 6th gen Intel Core, 4+ cores, or similar AMD with AVX2 | More cores beat higher clock speed |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB (and at least 16 GB when you connect to real consoles) |
| Graphics (Windows) | Vulkan 1.3, 2 GB video memory | 4 GB video memory, latest driver |
| Storage | 32 GB free | SSD |
| Screen and network | 1920 x 1080, gigabit network card |
On macOS Monterey or Ventura you stay on onPC 2.4.2.2. Windows on ARM is not supported.
3. How the keyboard works
| Key | Does |
|---|---|
| Shift | Works as the MA key (Shift + Update = Cook, Shift + Go- = Top) |
| Enter | Please |
| F10 or the ShCuts button | Keyboard shortcuts on (yellow) / off (white); red = a menu paused them |
| F1 | At Filter |
| F2 | Menu |
| F4 | Master controls |
| F5 | Playback menu |
| F8 | Encoder bar menu |
| F9 | Desk lock |
| Ctrl + C / V / X | Copy / paste / cut in a grid |
| Insert / Ctrl + Insert / Delete | Insert / store / delete at the selected grid item |
| Arrow keys | Move the cursor and the selection grid cursor |
Finding the default letter shortcuts: MA does not publish the list. With shortcuts on (F10), every key's shortcut shows in lavender on the command and playback keys. The full list is in Preferences and Timings → Keyboard Shortcuts, or type List KeyboardShortcut. Load Defaults brings back the factory set.
Shortcuts are saved per user profile. You can add your own (for example one key per executor) and export them to take to another computer.
4. Tips to work faster on onPC
- Turn shortcuts off while typing names (F10), or letter keys fire commands.
- Type, don't click. Keywords can be shortened:
S Seq 8 Cue 20 /OisStore Sequence 8 Cue 20 /Overwrite. - Use two screens. Pools and playbacks on one, programmer and command line on the other.
- Add physical faders. A fader wing or a MIDI controller makes busking feel like a real desk.
- Program in Preview or Blind while a show is running, so you never touch the live output by accident.
- Keep your graphics driver up to date. MA recommends always using the latest one.
All the command-line tricks are in my grandMA3 speed programming cheat sheet.
Sources
onPC overview · onPC system requirements · Keyboard shortcuts · Framework shortcuts
grandMA3 is a trademark of MA Lighting. This post is an independent summary and is not affiliated with MA Lighting.