Durban-based AV Company, run by the father and son combo of Craig and Keagan Browning, has invested in its first MA Lighting grandMA3 console with the purchase of a grandMA3 compact XT.
The console, delivered by South African distributors DWR, is the second MA console in AV Company’s inventory, following a dot2 acquired in 2016.
As the company has grown and expanded, especially as events re-started so enthusiastically after the pandemic, “We simply needed a bigger console to handle larger and more complex shows that we do,” explained Keagan.
“MA Lighting is consistently on international riders, the brand has an excellent name, and in South Africa, DWR is not only the leading professional sales company, it’s also known for its outstanding service and support,” he further elucidated, concluding that all things considered, it was an obvious choice.
AV Company’s primary lighting designer/director Mbulelo Msuthwana was also involved in choosing the grandMA3. Keagan initially started working for AV Company as a lighting tech. As a company director, he now doesn’t get much time to run light shows, but still takes a keen interest, and every few months will get hands-on. “I still love being a lighting tech and a programmer – it’s where my heart is!” he declared.
They have been running the console in grandMA3 mode from the off. Hardware wise, the 6 DMX outputs and 8192 parameters are great for the scope of their work, and they are enjoying the “sheer usability,” he commented. “You can patch a show and have it up-and-running in 30 minutes, it is THAT user-friendly once you understand the basics.”
Keagan and AV Company’s lighting team accessed and made the most of the various MA educational spaces before the console arrived which helped with some accelerated learning sessions once the console arrived and was in front of them.
“We are all delighted,” he declared, “the build quality is incredible, and it’s been out constantly on our larger shows,” which have included a concert for South Africa’s rockers, Prime Circle, several product launches at Durban Convention Centre, plus shows for the local government.
