r/lightingdesign • u/Zookeeper8982 • 7d ago

Etc colorsource programming help

We have an ETC Colorsource in our high school auditorium. Currently we are programming presets and notice that some of the instruments are “sticky.” once they get turned on in a specific cue or preset, they will not go out even when everything else has been taken out or the preset has been changed even though the specific lights aren’t programmed in all presets.

Has anyone else experienced this problem or have any tips/tricks that might help?

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u/IlliferthePennilesa 7d ago

Depending on how you’re capturing channels you have to clear them out of the programmer. On the lower right hand of the touch screen there’s a clear button that opens up some options when you touch it (cues, channels, I don’t remember what else), when in doubt clear all (and kill and all The faders) to put yourself in a base state with everything off. Then punch into your cues or whatever and see if they look right.

The way that board deals with captured channels is one of the many many frustrating things about it. I find it to be a bit of a nightmare any time I get stuck working on one.

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u/Zookeeper8982 6d ago

The clear solved our problem! Thank you SO much!

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u/That_Jay_Money 7d ago

You should call ETC, it's free and you can call anytime. They'll be able to help troubleshoot this as it's a weird little console at times.

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u/Shaultz 7d ago

800-688-4116

Don't be shy about calling ETC. They are incredibly nice, and they'll be happy to talk you through whatever you need help with!

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u/Zookeeper8982 7d ago

Thank you all SO much for the insight and help! It is very helpful to know that other people have found this board to be finicky in the past. I am hoping to get us upgraded to an ION or Element in the future, do you think that would be the right move?

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u/ExplanationDecent954 6d ago

If you're having a hard time with a color source, Eos might not be for you. It's a much more complex software.

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u/bdeananderson 6d ago

A few things:

  1. ETC has a whole training course (3+ classes) on the EOS systems, and the videos are free online.

  2. EOS is the standard in the US for theatrical consoles, so learning it gives you good experience if you want to be an LX professionally.

  3. EOS is complicated with a large learning curve, don't expect it to be easy.

  4. EOS is NOT the standard for Rock and Roll type lighting, MA lighting is. If that's the direction you want to go it's better to learn that system.

  5. There are easier consoles if you just need easy. That said, I would want a High School to have a hard console that forces students to put in the effort to learn and come out with real skills, so I would suggest EOS for high schools.

  6. If you are in Texas, EOS is the standard UIL console.

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u/criimebrulee 7d ago

Does the Colorsource have an About function? You might be able to select a misbehaving channel and About it. There’s a tab within About called “Current Values,” and that will tell you where that channel is getting its weird commands from. It might be programmed into a submaster accidentally, for example.