grandMA3 compact vs compact XT: Which One Should You Buy?

The grandMA3 compact and the grandMA3 compact XT are the two entry points into MA Lighting’s console hardware. They share the same software, the same 8,192 parameters and the same I/O, so the choice comes down to surface size, screens, weight and budget. Here’s how to decide, based on MA Lighting’s published specifications and Thomann’s September 2026 prices.

What the two consoles have in common

Before looking at differences, it helps to see how much is identical:

• Parameters: 8,192 control parameters as standard on both (the compact drops to 4,096 when run in grandMA2 Mode2), and both scale to 250,000 parameters per session with grandMA3 processing units.
• DMX and network: 6 DMX outputs, 1 DMX input and 3 etherCON ports.
• Master section: 2 backlit motorized 100 mm A/B faders and 16 assignable x-keys.
• External display: one DisplayPort 1.2 for one external multitouch screen.
• Connectivity: MIDI in/out and linear timecode, plus 5 USB ports.
• Software: the same grandMA3 software, so show files move freely between the two and up to a light or full-size.

In other words, the compact XT does not give you more output. It gives you more hands-on control and more screen.

grandMA3 compact vs compact XT: the differences

	grandMA3 compact	grandMA3 compact XT
Motorized 60 mm faders	10 (+2 A/B)	15 (+2 A/B)
Playbacks	40	60
Rotary encoders	29 + 5 dual encoders	39 + 5 dual encoders
Internal touchscreens	1 foldable	2 foldable
Parameters (standard)	8,192	8,192
Width (folded)	661 mm (26″)	845 mm (33″)
Weight	16 kg / 36 lb	20 kg / 45 lb
Thomann France, 09/2026	about €25,590	about €34,390

Prices are Thomann France street prices including VAT, checked in September 2026. US dealer pricing is quoted separately, so ask your MA dealer for a quote.

Faders and playbacks

This is the biggest practical difference. Fifteen motorized faders versus ten, and 60 playbacks versus 40, changes how much of your show you can reach without paging. For a theater running a single main cue list with a few submasters, ten faders are plenty. For a band show where you busk color, intensity, effects and specials in parallel, the extra five faders and 20 playbacks of the XT are felt immediately.

Screens

The compact has one internal foldable touchscreen; the XT has two. Both accept one external multitouch screen. On the compact you will almost certainly add that external monitor on day one, because grandMA3 is a screen-hungry workflow: one screen for the fixture sheet or layout, another for the programmer, encoders and command line. The XT gets you there without extra hardware on the desk.

Size and weight

At 16 kg and 661 mm wide, the compact fits in smaller control booths and lighter flight cases. The XT, at 20 kg and 845 mm wide, is still manageable but noticeably bigger. For fly-in dates and cramped FOH positions, the compact has a real advantage.

Is 8,192 parameters enough?

For many shows, yes. But remember that both consoles have the same limit, so buying the XT will not help if you run out of parameters. The answer then is a grandMA3 processing unit, which scales the session up to 250,000 parameters, or stepping up to a grandMA3 light (16,384) or full-size (20,480). Our guide on how many DMX universes you need helps you estimate your rig before choosing.

Resale and upgrade path

Because both consoles run the same grandMA3 software as the light and full-size, your show files and your programming habits carry over whichever you choose. That makes the decision less risky than it looks: if you start on a compact and later move to a bigger desk, nothing is lost but the hardware difference. It also means a compact can live on as a backup or pre-programming desk next to a larger console. For how grandMA3 fits among other brands, our grandMA lighting console overview gives the wider context.

Which one should you buy?

Choose the grandMA3 compact if…

• You mainly run programmed cue lists (theater, corporate, installations).
• Space and weight matter: small booths, fly-in gigs, tight cases.
• You want the grandMA3 platform at the lowest console price, and you are happy to add an external monitor.

Choose the grandMA3 compact XT if…

• You busk or run live music, where extra faders and playbacks save you constant paging.
• You want two built-in screens and a self-contained desk.
• You want something close to a grandMA3 light surface (it shares the 15+2 fader layout) without the light’s size.

Alternatives worth considering

The free grandMA3 onPC software, paired with a command wing on your own computer or with the command wing XT and its built-in computer, is another route into the platform, with 4,096 parameters and a much lower price. Our grandMA3 onPC guide explains what you need to output DMX. For used grandMA2 consoles, remember they are discontinued; our grandMA2 vs grandMA3 article explains the transition. And for the big picture, see our grandMA3 review.

See all Le Faisceau ratings →

Verdict

The grandMA3 compact and compact XT are the same console brain in two bodies. Pick the compact if you run cue-based shows, need to save space and weight, or want the lowest entry price into grandMA3 hardware. Pick the compact XT if you busk, want 15 faders and 60 playbacks, and prefer two built-in screens. Either way, the parameter count is identical, so plan your rig size before assuming the more expensive desk will do more.

Frequently asked questions

Does the grandMA3 compact XT have more parameters than the compact?

No. Both have 8,192 parameters as standard and both scale to 250,000 parameters per session with grandMA3 processing units.

How many faders do the grandMA3 compact and compact XT have?

The compact has 10 motorized 60 mm faders plus 2 A/B faders, while the compact XT has 15 plus 2 A/B. Playbacks go from 40 on the compact to 60 on the XT.

How much do they weigh?

According to MA Lighting, the compact weighs 16 kg and the compact XT 20 kg.

How much do the grandMA3 compact and compact XT cost?

In September 2026 Thomann France listed the compact at about 25,590 euros and the compact XT at about 34,390 euros, VAT included. US pricing is available from MA dealers on request.

Where to buy : MA Lighting grandMA3 compact

Retailer	Why
Music Store	Competitive price, European stock, fast delivery	Check price at Music Store →
Amazon	Fast shipping, used and renewed units	See on Amazon →

Affiliate links: the price is the same for you, the commission funds our tests. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sources — MA Lighting – grandMA3 compact, MA Lighting – grandMA3 compact XT, MA Lighting – grandMA3 light.