showstack / hardware / chamsys-mq500m-stadium
ChamSys MagicQ MQ500M Stadium
Ten-universe-plus flagship MagicQ console with a 15.6 inch touchscreen, ten motorised faders and dual gigabit network. The Stadium variant adds redundant PSUs and the higher output licence count.
Protocols it speaks
| Protocol | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| sacn | bidirectional | Output and input; sACN priority and merging handled in the console patch. |
| art-net | bidirectional | Art-Net 4 output, and input for remote or backup desks. |
| dmx512 | bidirectional | Direct DMX from the rear XLR5 ports. |
| rdm | bidirectional | Discovery and parameter setting from the console. |
| osc | bidirectional | Two-way OSC for external control surfaces and show control. |
| midi | bidirectional | MIDI notes and MSC over the DIN ports. |
| midi-show-control | bidirectional | MSC in and out. |
| ltc | in | Linear timecode input for timecoded playbacks. |
| citp | bidirectional | CITP/MSEX for media server thumbnails and visualiser feeds. |
Connectors
- 4x XLR5F DMX out
- 1x XLR5M DMX in
- 2x etherCON Gigabit
- MIDI in/out/thru
- LTC in (XLR)
- 2x USB
- DVI out
What to watch for
MagicQ output universes are licensed. The free PC version outputs a limited number of universes without a dongle or console, which is why a show file that runs on the desk may not output fully from a laptop.
The Stadium designation is about redundancy and universe count, not a different feature set. Show files move between MagicQ consoles freely, but the patch may exceed a smaller desk's licensed output.
MagicQ has both "Execute" and "Playback" windows and a deeply modal interface. A visiting operator who knows Eos or grandMA will need a briefing, not just a channel list.
Sources
- ChamSys consoles — ChamSys primary
- MagicQ documentation — ChamSys
Understand the mechanism
Something wrong, or missing?
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