The ColorSource line from Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC), headquartered in Middleton, WI, includes fixtures, control and relay products. The fixture line consists of a spot, par, linear, and now, the newest addition, the ColorSource CYC wash light. Let us have a closer look at this luminaire (and see if that is actually a mirror).
The Color
With the name of ColorSource, we must start with color. The engine is made from 42 Lumileds Luxeon C LED with a mixture of red, green, blue, indigo and lime diodes. This is the first ETC fixture to use this innovative five-color mix. Other ColorSource fixtures come in two color variants, “original” (blue) and “deep blue” (indigo). However, with both options in one fixture, you no longer have to choose.
The fixture is bright and colors are saturated. The red is a bright blood orange, green is a chroma green screen and lime extends the hues of yellow/green and pure whites. In
addition, with blue and indigo, all blues are achievable.
The Source
The engine yields 31 lumens/watt (efficacy) or a max 4,117 lumens. That is for the typical wattage of 133, not the maximum wattage of 160 (which the fixture is rated for per the label). The lumen maintenance (L70) is estimated at 50,000 hours.
To extract the lumens out of the fixture is a fixed asymmetrical optical system. No accessory spread lenses are even available, because none are required. Above the lens is a mirror. When I first saw the fixture, I noticed the distinct mirror and had to understand it better. The mirror is an extension of the reflector, external of the lens. It has a precise fixed angle to direct light and increase intensity on the top side of the cyclorama, where the throw distance is the greatest. No light is wasted.
In Use
Joining the ColorSource line, the CYC has the same simple and intuitive user interface for addressing and configuration. On the back are Neutrik powerCON in/thru and either 5-pin DMX in/thru or RJ-45 DMX in/thru. The RJ-45 version is DMX only. It’s not networkable, and therefore does not support sACN. Each fixture ships with a yoke and power cable with bare end or your choice of connector (5-15, 5-20, or stage pin).
When lighting a cyclorama with a ground row, the fixture sits flat and stable. There are no feet or adjustments to mess with. Just set it and forget it. There is a unique one-leaf barn door on the top, which controls light spill. A convenient handle on top makes moving this unit around easy. Adding in the fact that it weighs only 10.3 pounds and is so compact, a tech could carry four at once.
To hang the fixture, install a C-clamp onto the included yoke and mount onto a pipe or truss. When lighting a straight cyclorama, since there is no need to pan the fixture, I suggest using the two off-center holes. With two clamps, you never have to worry about techs bumping your fixtures out of focus. Remember that handle that is on the top? When suspended, it is on the bottom and is magnetically held in place. Pretty clever, huh?
How Many?
With fixed optics, the photometric math is already solved. Users are only left to figure out the spacing. The minimum distance from the cyclorama is two feet. At that dimension, on center spacing can vary from 3 feet, 4 inches to 5 feet, 8 inches, depending on how bright you need your cyclorama. At four feet back, on-center spacing is six-to-eight feet.
According to ETC, the fixture is intended to be used in a 1.7:1 ratio. So if the fixture is 24 inches from the cyc, then adjacent fixtures should be spaced at 1.7 times the 24 inches. That is, on-center spacing of 40.8 inches, or about 3 feet, 5 inches. For best results, ETC suggests no more than a 2:1 spacing.
ETC has a free app called “CYC Tool” (See “App of the Month,” page 14) that is available for iOS and Android. You input the width and height of the cyclorama, how far the fixtures are to be set back, and if you are lighting it from the ground, above, or both. It calculates “good” and “best” options and even provides a few in between. In the app, you can indirectly compare specs on ColorSource CYC to their spot fixtures that utilize ETC’s cyc adapter.
Control Options
For control, there are multiple options. When set to DMX control, there are four different modes. Three-channel mode is Red, Green and Blue. Five-channel mode adds Intensity and Strobe. Seven-channel mode adds Indigo and Lime. And 1-channel mode controls the intensity of preset 1, which defaults to 3200K white. It is important to note that 7-channel mode is called “direct,” and it is not a LED calibrated mode, so there may be some noticeable difference in color between fixtures.
The 1-channel mode can be ideal for white light cyclorama applications like in a TV studio. In a retrofit or upgrade, a dimmer and fader console could be existing and not able to run multi-channel fixtures. Not a problem with this fixture. It is a feasible replacement option and compatible with all DMX fader boards.
Alternatively, the fixture can be controlled from the user interface. There are 12 fixed color presets and five variable color sequences. The intensity of each preset/sequence can be colored directly. The dimming is smooth and faded out all the way to 0 percent.
Six fixtures can light a cyclorama measuring 40 by 20 feet (W x H). The days of 4-cell 1000W cyc fixtures that burn out gel weekly are over. The dimming is good, coverage is great, and colors are rich. This is excellent for schools, studios, or any stage needing to light a cyclorama.
Summing Up
After two years of R&D, ETC is now shipping the ColorSource CYC. It is compact, quiet and bright, all at an affordable price with a two-year warranty backed by ETC’s first class 24/7 support. This innovative fixture gives lighting designers a new way to light their cycloramas with fewer fixtures, for less cost. Colored or white, it is a perfect choice for all cyclorama applications.
At a Glance:
Quiet, Even and Bright
ETC’s ColorSource CYC is a compact static LED fixture that is dedicated to lighting cycloramas. Using a five-color LED engine with custom advanced optics, it lights cycloramas quietly, evenly, and brightly. Along with a lower fixture count, you won’t need to worry about replacing gels on as many power-hungry fixtures. And a handy app helps users deploy the fixtures in the most efficient and effective way.
ETC ColorSource CYC
PROS: Wide color spectrum, 31 lumens/watt, multiple control options, convection cooled (no fans)
CONS: None
FEATURES
- RGBI-L LED source, 50,000 hour life
- Electronic dimming & strobe
- Asymmetric (fixed optics) reflectors
- Neutrik PowerCON in/out connectors
- DMX-512 via 5-pin XLR or RJ45 connector
- Available in black, silver, white, and custom colors
PRESETS:
- 1-3200, 2-5600, 3-Red, 4-Green, 5-Blue, 6-Cyan, 7-Magenta, 8-Yellow, 9-Orange, 10-Light Yellow, 11-Light Blue, 12-Light Pink
- Sequences: 1-Rainbow Fast, 2-Rainbow Slow, 3-Warm Colors Fast, 4-Cool Colors Fast, 5-Random
STATS
- Size: 7.83 x 7.72 x 8.7” (HxWxD)
- Weight: 10.3 lbs.
- Wattage: 160 (max)
- Voltage: 100-240, 50/60Hz (auto-ranging)
- MSRP: $1,600
- Manufacturer: Electronic Theatre Controls
- More Info: www.etcconnect.com
Note: The “At a Glance” content for a different product initially accompanied the end of this posting by mistake. This posting has since been updated with the correct content. PLSN regrets the error.
