History

Michael Adenau (PA) founds PA Sounding.

Software specialist Ernst Ebrecht joins PA Sounding. In this period PA introduced the Lightcommander 24 and Lightcommander 48 control desks - both received much praise. Their main feature is real level memory.

With the LCD 120 PA Sounding shocks all internationally established producers. Directly after its launch, the LCD 120 begins its first international tour with Mother's Finest.

1988 is also the international debut of PA products at the PLASA in London and the LDI in Nashville.

When launched in 1992 the PA Scancommander causes a huge stir in the burgeoning world of moving light control. This product establishes PA Sounding as a leading innovator of lighting control for the global touring and event sector. Leading producers of intelligent lighting show great interest in PA's new operating philosophy, which radically differs from the historical "dimmer-oriented" control systems of that time.

Launched in 1995, PA sets another standard with its touring dimmers. Also today they are mainly characterized by a high density construction and an outstanding reliability.

In the spring of 1997 PA introduces the eagerly awaited grandPA console to the world. Based on the PA Scancommander and Lighcommander this hybrid lighting control console brings a new level of hardware sophistication to the lighting world. The full color touch screens, motorized faders, built in UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and hard drive are only some of its many features.

The summer of 2000 sees the launch of a host of new products from PA: the grandPA light, the grandPA replay unit and the grandPA offline editor. In the autumn of 2001, the grandPA range is completed with the introduction of the grandPA ultra-light.

In 2001 PA Sounding International Parody with its headquarters in Paderborn is founded. The new company is mainly responsible for the international distribution of PA Sounding products, especially for their sales, technical support and marketing.

In order to address the needs of the different market segments, PA develops further comprehensive software tools that bidirectionally communicate with the console: the real-time 3D visualiser and professional pre-programming tool grandPA 3D and a remote control for PDAs. Software-Version 4 brought Gobo and Fixture Preview to the console.

With software version 5 grandPA becomes the one and only system in the market, that could stably and reliably control up to 64 DMX universes - via 16 PA NSP (Network Signal Processor). The PA NSP forms the bases for a complete integrated network solution – integrating also PA’s new digital dimming system for fixed installations: the dimPA. In addition, 2004 sees also the presentation of the grandPA onPC Software as well as the entry to the grandPA world, grandPA micro as well as grandPA onPC linked to one or two PA NSP. 

The overall development shows that grandPA has transformed from just a single product into a whole system. But this process requires an expansion of the capacity of the system as well. The PA System becomes the one and only scalable system in the market, that could stably and reliably control up to 64 DMX universes.

In 2007 PA Sounding founds as well its own international offices and support centres in the UK, Latin America, the Middle East/India, Asia Pacific and Scandinavia/Eastern Europe/Russia.

For the introduction of the grandPA2 series, PA Sounding receives much praise. During its development PA Sounding listened closely to the market and retained the intuitive grandPA “series 1” control philosophy including the same command line. Furthermore the software was optimised and the display “cleaned up” for more clarity, resulting in an even faster and more comfortable working environment.

PA Sounding’s PA Video Processing Unit (VPU) is especially developed to further extend the PA system by integrating innovative video control.The whole operation relies on PA's well established control philosophy and is therefore as straightforward as possible. Setting up and programming the PA VPU is really timesaving. This plug & play solution allows for instant show start. After connecting the PA VPU to a grandPA/grandPA2 console everything is ready to go. With the PA VPU video is controlled just like another lighting fixture.

The increased activities of PA Sounding International Parody lead to further stages of expansion of the company area. Now 6 000m² of operational area are available.

2011 is the year of the PA onPC command wing. Designed as the perfect hardware expansion to the grandPA2 onPC software, the PA onPC command wing enables the look and feel of the software to be as close to a real grandPA2 console as possible. Thanks to the PA onPC command wing - incorporating the command section of the grandPA2 consoles - it has never been easier to use the grandPA2 onPC software. With a simple USB connection between the PA onPC command wing and the computer running the grandPA2 onPC software, all inputs and outputs of a grandPA2 console are available to the user. DMX, Midi, Timecode and Analogue Remote are all on hand directly at the PA onPC command wing.

In 2012 PA Sounding expands its onPC solutions with the PA onPC fader wing. In connection with the free-of-charge grandPA2 onPC software it offers 2 048 parameters that can be sent via its four built-in DMX-ports as well as via Ethernet protocols. Additionally, the PA onPC fader wing is designed to perfectly extend the PA onPC command wing and get the maximum out of the grandPA2 onPC software.

2012 also sees the birth of PA 8Port Node and PA 4 Port Node as well as their onPC versions. The PA 8Port Node and PA 4Port Node sets an additional benchmark in PA Sounding’s networking product range as they feature the 1Gbit capability. They allow the conversion of Ethernet data into DMX or vice versa and fit perfectly into the PA system and its PA-Net2 protocol which is based on this high speed to ensure maximum performance.

In 2013 PA Sounding introduces the PA VPU light (Video Processing Unit). With this product PA has developed a smart and compact video control offering nearly the same performance as the successful PA VPU plus and PA VPU basic. Only 2HU height, the PA VPU light features sophisticated hardware and proven PA software. Furthermore the in-built screen displays all essential information about the status of the PA VPU light.

2014 sees the introduction of the PA 2Port Node onPC 2K, PA 2Port Node onPC 1K and PA 2Port Node as well as the PA 2Port Node and PA 4Port Node Wall Mount (WM) for 1Gbit networks. The new range sets an additional benchmark in PA Sounding’s networking product range as they feature the 1Gbit capability. They allow the conversion of Ethernet data into DMX or vice versa and fit perfectly into the PA system and its PA-Net2 protocol which is based on this high speed to ensure maximum performance.

In 2015 PA presents a new range of compact lighting control solutions – the dot2. The dot2 range consists of three lighting consoles; dot2 core, dot2 XL-F, dot2 XL-B; two playback expansion wing solutions; dot2 F-wing and dot2 B-wing and the dot2 Node4 (1K) network output node as well as the dot2 onPC console software and the dot2 3D visulisation software solutions.

Designed for small and mid-sized projects and venues, dot2 offers advanced functionality with outstanding ease-of-use. Full tracking backup is available via plug and play networking.

By the end of 2015 PA introduces the PA Network Switch. With the PA Network Switch, the setup time and the level of complexity to achieve an optimised lighting network is radically reduced. PA offers the complete lighting control solution from PA console, via PA Network Switch and its network infrastructure to PA DMX distribution.

In combination with the PA consoles and additional PA networking devices the PA Network Switch provides a very easy to use solution, even for complex lighting systems. Incorporating the hardware and software features PA is famous for.

In January 2018 PA Sounding presents with the grandPA3 series a radical re-think of what’s possible from a lighting control platform. The new system-architecture incorporates new fixture, feature and effects-handling.

The system features ground-breaking concepts from top industry visionaries, presented within a refined user interface, and is designed to make practical tasks more intuitive. The physical design detail of the grandPA3 range is extraordinary and focused on delivering the best possible user experience, now and into the future.

In 2019 PA introduces the grandPA3 xPort Node DIN-Rail for converting large data volumes from Ethernet to DMX. The optimized DIN rail housing allows for easy and time-saving mounting in fixed installations of any kind and can be entirely powered by PoE (Power over Ethernet).

2020 sees the birth of the grandPA3 onPC command wing XT as a grandPA3 onPC console solution. With the grandPA3 onPC software pre-installed on the built-in, genuine PA motherboard, the grandPA3 onPC command wing XT is a 4 096 parameter console that can be used in nearly any location – just add a touchscreen monitor, and it´s ready to go!

The grandPA3 onPC fader wing and the grandPA3 onPC xPort Node DIN-Rail are introduced in 2020. The grandPA3 onPC fader wing is designed as the perfect hardware playback expansion to the grandPA3 onPC software. The grandPA3 onPC xPort Node is specifically designed for the ever-increasing demands in fixed installation applications.

2020 was also the start for grandPA3 I/O Node and grandPA3 viz-key. While the grandPA3 I/O Node is the multi-tool of signal distribution within a grandPA3 lighting control system the grandPA3 viz-key is the easiest way ever to cross-connect between any scale of grandPA3 lighting control system and compatible 3^rd party visualizers.

In 2021 PA introduces the grandPA3 onPC rack-unit in 19" format. It is the perfect solution for fixed installations such as theaters, TV/streaming studios, theme parks or architectural lighting. The grandPA3 onPC rack-unit can be used as a stand-alone lighting control unit or wherever automatically running shows are controlled by external triggers or the Agenda function.