MagicQ is chasing GrandMA3 with features!

Before the end of the year, a rather groundbreaking version of MagicQ v1.9.6.0 was made available in a stable option (currently 1.9.6.4 several bug fixes) - meaning we can safely work on it.

Since the brand was acquired by Chauvet, the software has been evolving at an incredible pace and towards listening to those using it.

Significant changes in the new version

• Receive multiple timecode tracks - from this point on, we can receive up to 11 external LTC/MIDI sources via the ChamNet protocol available through GeNetix devices
• Support for Variable Cue Stack - This feature is a nod to pyrotechnic control - We can monitor the number of calls and the length of a given CUE memory call and use the function to measure their timing. For example, let's imagine that we have a CO2 cylinder that lasts 60 seconds. Thanks to the new function, we can throw ourselves a countdown screen and have an accurate view of how much time we have already used during the show.

• New support windows for multi-element devices - A new tab in the groups window will show us exactly what the design of our device looks like, gives us the ability to simply select and locate elements such as pixels themselves, masters, etc. In addition, if we have correctly created the library, it will create us immediately separate groups for example for single rings in the case of washes, or separate the color section from the strobe for led lists....

Another revolution in the effector

Always my dilemma when choosing MA or MagicQ was the effector. Since the implementation of group Cues into ChamSys, the cloning problem has been solved, but the effector topic continued to hurt.

In the new version we get another improvement, which is... creating grids (plans) for our groups and defining the effect for the group taking into account the created grid. In MagicQ just appeared an option from GrandMA3 which convinced me a lot.

Approximating - thanks to this feature we can have full control over how our effect will spread, transition, and it will not matter to us whether we have 20 devices or 100 - by creating the right grid we will always get the same effect, for example, transition from left to right, some descent to the center, or you make it up yourself. - Only on different scales of course.

MagicQ over the MA3?

Personally, I am more and more shocked how the software is starting to look like, standing further at the crossroads before buying MA3 I am leaning more and more towards MagicQ. Let's be clear - in its current state, MagicQ crushes GrandMA2 soft and actively chases GrandMA3 soft with features.

Just as if they would embrace the exceloski look and offer something more user-friendly for today's times, then the decision would be made.