grandMA3 Live Link
Live Link keeps the current Samba track in sync with grandMA3 timecode markers over OSC while you program.
While it is on, these stay in sync both ways:
- Marker time (drag on the timeline or in grandMA3)
- Cue name, notes, command, and fade
- Add and delete cues
- Samba track name and the grandMA3 Timecode label (and sequence name when the track has a sequence number)
Each Samba cue has a stable id. Rename, move, or renumber in grandMA3 stays linked to the same Samba cue instead of creating a duplicate.
This version does not connect grandMA3 to a Samba cloud project over the internet. Run Samba and grandMA3 on the same network, or onPC on the same PC as Samba.
Install the plugin
Section titled “Install the plugin”The plugin ships next to the Samba executable as two files:
ma3/SambaLiveLink.xmlma3/SambaLiveLink.lua
Copy both into the grandMA3 plugin folder:
gma3_library/datapools/plugins/
Then on the desk (or onPC):
- Open the Plugin pool
- Edit an empty slot -> Import -> choose
SambaLiveLink.xml - Run SambaLiveLink
- Click Start Live Link
Closing the plugin window only hides the UI. Live Link keeps running until you press Stop Live Link. Running the plugin again reopens the window; it does not stop an active link.
After you update the plugin files from a newer Samba build, re-import SambaLiveLink.xml (use a current v1.4+ build).
Live Link page vs OSC page
Section titled “Live Link page vs OSC page”The plugin window has two areas:
Live Link sidebar / page
Section titled “Live Link sidebar / page”- Connection status and Samba file name
- Start / Stop Live Link
- Watching - which Timecode is followed (auto) and how many events were found
This is the page you use during the show. Status and Watching tell you whether MA3 edits will reach Samba.
OSC sidebar / page
Section titled “OSC sidebar / page”- Samba IP (address of the computer running Samba)
- Ports for the OSC lines
- Apply OSC setup - creates or updates the OSC lines
Use OSC setup when you first install the plugin, when Samba moves to another IP, or when hello messages never arrive. Day-to-day work stays on the Live Link page.
Timecode slot (Watching)
Section titled “Timecode slot (Watching)”Live Link follows the timecode you have selected or are editing in grandMA3. The Live Link page shows Watching with that Timecode number and an event count.
Marker updates go to the Samba track whose MA3 timecode pool matches that number. Set each Samba track’s MA3 timecode pool (and sequence) in Track Settings so the mapping is correct.
Watching must show a non-zero event count. If it shows 0 events, dragging markers in MA3 will not update Samba. Create or store timecode events for that Timecode, then Start Live Link again if needed.
Marker order in Samba should match the order of events in that Timecode.
Samba Connections (grandMA3 page)
Section titled “Samba Connections (grandMA3 page)”In Samba open Edit -> Connections -> grandMA3:
- Enable Enable OSC grandMA3 sync
- Set grandMA3 IP address (
127.0.0.1when onPC is on this PC) - MA3 port (send) = 8000 (plugin Samba In)
- Receive port (Samba) = 9000 (plugin Samba Out)
- Apply
The page shows whether the plugin is Connected, Waiting, or OSC off. You can also run Sync markers from grandMA3 or Sync markers to grandMA3 for a full one-shot list sync.
See Connections for how this dialog is laid out.
OSC lines the plugin creates
Section titled “OSC lines the plugin creates”When you Apply OSC setup, the plugin creates:
| Line | Direction | Typical ports |
|---|---|---|
| Samba In | Samba -> grandMA3 | Listen 8000 |
| Samba Out | grandMA3 -> Samba | Destination = Samba PC, port 9000 |
Station Enable Input / Enable Output are turned on as part of setup.
If onPC is not on the same PC as Samba, set Samba IP to the Samba computer, then Apply OSC setup again.
On some PCs, destination 127.0.0.1 sends nothing for onPC on the same machine. Try 127.0.0.255 if loopback stays silent.
Hello messages from MA3 must arrive on Samba’s receive port (9000). If /samba/live/hello appears on 8000 instead, Out is using the In line - re-check OSC setup.
What syncs both ways
Section titled “What syncs both ways”While Live Link is on:
| Change | Direction |
|---|---|
| Drag marker time | Both |
| Cue name, notes, command, fade | Both |
| Add cue | Both (Samba stores sequence cue + timecode event in MA3) |
| Delete cue | Both |
| Track / Timecode label | Both |
Sequential Cue IDs from a selection in Samba can renumber 1, 2, 3, … and, after you confirm, update grandMA3 cue numbers as well.
Sen and SendOSC (what you see in Command Line History)
Section titled “Sen and SendOSC (what you see in Command Line History)”grandMA3 talks to Samba by sending OSC on the Samba Out line. In Command Line History you may see short forms like Sen followed by an OSC line id and a message. That is the console’s normal way to send OSC on a numbered OSC line.
You do not need to type Sen by hand for Live Link. The plugin does it when markers change.
Useful checks:
- Drag a marker in MA3
- Command Line History should show something like
Samba Live Link: OSC/Sen ... - Samba should move the linked cue
Keep Send enabled on Samba Out only for this link. If many OSC lines have Send on, you can flood the network with unrelated feedback. Samba In is for receiving from Samba, not for blasting SendOSC outward.
If MA3 never updates Samba: re-import the plugin, confirm Watching shows events, confirm history shows Sen, and confirm hello arrives on port 9000.
File export vs Live Link
Section titled “File export vs Live Link”One-shot grandMA3 exports (timecode track, setlist, main sequence markers) are under Import and export. Use those for macros and offline transfer. Use Live Link when you want continuous bi-directional cue sync while programming.
Related
Section titled “Related”- Connections - grandMA3 OSC page
- Cues - numbering and Live Link behaviour in Samba
- Import and export - one-shot grandMA3 export