Color scroller
A color scroller or color changer is an electro-mechanical lighting accessory used in theater, film, dance and concerts to change the color projected by stage lighting instruments without the need of a person to be in the vicinity of the light. A color scroller moves plastic "gel" color gel [actually dyed polyester and/or other base materials coated with dyes] into the beam of the light. It is generally attached to the gel frame holder at the transmitting end of a lighting fixture, so color is introduced after the beam characteristics have been defined by the optics of the lighting instrument. Most scrollers are controlled via DMX512 protocol, but some models (e.g. Wybron's Coloram IT) also utilize the RDM protocol. When color scrollers were first introduced around 1980, a number of companies produced them, including: Avolites, GAM Products, Morpheus Lights, Rainbow, Rosco Laboratories and Wybron Inc. Now the main manufacturers are: A.C. Lighting, Apollo, Morpheus Lights and Rainbow (in alphabetical order).
Types of scrollers
Single string scrollers
The most commonly used type of scroller is the single string scroller. This type has only one string of color anywhere from 2 to 33 frames long.
Dual string scrollers
Dual string scrollers use 2 strings (one behind the other) and allow for a form of CMY mixing. The Apollo MXR 2, Chroma-Q Cascade and the Wybron CXI use 2 gel strings to obtain a CMY mix. One frame of clear gel is positioned at the center of each gel string (50% DMX) with progressively denser frames of color positioned to either side of it. The first string has progressively denser yellow and cyan frames and the second string has progressively denser yellow and magenta frames. This permits various YC, YM, and CM combinations to be achieved as a "static" color mix. There is a limited ability to transition "live" between mixed colors - although some transitions cannot be accomplished without passing through the clear center frame.
CYM color-mixing scrollers
Finally, there are "true" CYM mixing scrollers that utilize three independently controlled gel strings - namely, the ColorFader system manufactured by Morpheus Lights of Las Vegas, NV. Independent control of the gel strings permits users to cross-fade "from any color to any color" directly (without going through undesired colors as on a single or double string color changer).
The "ColorFader" system was developed to mimic the dichroic systems used in most moving lights, creating smooth colour transitions. These transitions are achieved by starting with a full-density sheet of gel and then varying the color saturation by perforating the sheet to permit unfiltered white light to pass through. At the "start" position on a ColorFader scroll the holes are large and plentiful - so the percentage of white light predominates and low-saturation colors are achieved. As the scroll progresses the holes become smaller and fewer, the percentage of colored material in the optical path increases relative to the white light pass-through, and the result is progressively higher density color transmission. Ultimately a solid, unperforated sheet of gel is positioned in the optical path - for full saturation of and combination of Cyan, Magenta or Yellow.
Sizes
Color scrollers come in many different sizes and are mountable on nearly every type of conventional lighting instrument. Sizes include:
- 4 Inch (for smaller PAR 36 units)
- 6 to 7.5 Inch (fits ETC Source 4 19°, 26°, 36° and 50° units)
- 8 to 10 inch (fits PAR 56 & 64 units)
- 12 inch (fits large sized Fresnel units like 2 KW tungsten units)
- 15 inch (fits bigger Fresnels, like 5KW tungsten or 2.4 KW HMI units)
- 20-30 inch (fits Thomas 8 Light and Thomas 9 Light units)
- Large format scrollers for ETC Multi-PAR units
Control
Most color scrollers use DMX512 addressing protocol. Each scroller unit is given an address or identifying number. Earlier scroller models used binary DIP switches to set the address, however most scrollers currently include digital addressing systems. Once addressed, the unit is then connected with other color scrollers and run back to a power supply (typically with 4-pin XLR cable. 4-pin is used to differentiate power lines from data.) The power supply receives the DMX control signal from the Lighting control console and distributes control signal (either DMX or a proprietary manufacturers signal) to each color scroller unit along with 24 volts DC. Depending on the manufacturer, power supplies can power anywhere from 1 to 64 units.
Some color scrollers are configured for "daisy chain" connection, by which 4-pin power/control cable feeds into and then out of a number of scrollers. The number of units that can be daisy chained together is limited by a head-feet restriction. Head-feet is defined as the total sum of the lengths of cable from each device to a single power supply. It is a way to account for the voltage drop in the power/signal cable caused the current drawn from each unit and the length of the cable. If you exceed the recommended "head feet" you may experience performance problems with all of the scrollers on the chain.
Other scroller systems, such as the Morpheus ColorFader, do not permit daisy chaining. Up to six standard ColorFader units (SFader or MFader) can be powered from a ColorFader PS-6 power supply - which is a simple unit that is generally hung on a pipe in close proximity to the active ColorFader units. Because independent "Home runs" (uninterrupted connection) of 4-pin cable reliably carry power and control signal directly to each ColorFader unit, the need to keep track of "head feet" is eliminated.
Some new models of scrollers are moving towards the RDM protocol and are using small LED screens for addressing and other settings on the unit. This new method of control allows for easier addressing and the ability to "talk-back" to each scroller (to get, for example, diagnostic information). Morpheus ColorFader3 units, among others, have direct push-button addressing for DMX with an LED display that provides complete set-up status information for each unit.
Color scrollers utilize from 1 to 4 channels depending on their capabilities. One channel is required for every string of gel (up to 3) and one channel is required for optional control settings. Optional settings include: Remote fan control (ability to control the fan's speed and on/off status), preset color string mixed color positions (for scrollers with multiple strings), preset effects/times, and control over the speed the string moves.
With the newer RDM protocol many more options can now be made available. These can include: Light sensor (to see if the fixture the scroller is attached to is on), temperature sensor, voltage sensor, timers, fan control, self test, gel string sensor (gives info on color, use, and if the string is broken). Although RDM provides significantly more options, few manufacturers have yet implemented these features into existing products.
Color strings
Most companies offer two standard types of gel strings generally referred to as "theater" and for "rock and roll". Typically, the theatre scroll will contain subtler colors, while the rock and roll scroll will contain more saturated shades. A number of scroller manufacturers and third party vendors offer scrolls made with custom colors, assembled to a customers specifications, though these are non-standard items and carry a premium. A custom adhesive, known as high-temperature scroll tape, is also available to allow technicians to repair sections of scrolls that have become damaged. This scroll tape also allows for the fabrication of unique custom scrolls, though the cost in materials generally percludes the mass production of "home made" scrolls.
Example
Below is an example, from Wybron Inc utilizing GAM colors , of a typical scroll set. Note that the first position on the scroll is actually a clear piece intended to affix the scroll to the scroller.
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Dichroic Color Changers
Introduced as an alternative to a color scroller, High End System's Colormerge unit was an add-on dichroic color changer. It was a color mixing unit made to be used with the ETC Source Four ellipsoidal fixture. Unlike a traditional color scroller, it was installed inside the unit between the reflector assembly and shutters. It provided CMY color mixing via dichroic glass plates. "Colormerge" was a relatively expensive device which lacked reliability - these problem ultimately caused it to fail in the marketplace. It was discontinued in 2004.
More recently, the SeaChanger line by Ocean Thin Films accomplishes much the same thing but features a wide range of patented dichroic color wheels in an array of saturation levels, for added color possibilities. The SeaChanger unit is also much larger than the Colormerge and completely replaces the shutter assembly of a Source Four fixture. The SeaChanger has achieved a much higher level of commercial success.
In 2009, Morpheus Lights introduced the PacificFader line of dichroic color changers, which were specifically developed for use with the modular Selecon Pacific ellipsoidal fixtures manufactured by Philips Entertainment. PacificFader units are available with either 3, 4, or 5 control parameters: PacificFader3 provides C,Y,M color mixing for use with tungsten fixtures. PacificFader4 adds a smooth optical dimmer/douser to the C,Y,M control, for use with energy efficient arc sources (CDM, MSR, MSD). The top-of-the-line PacificFader5 adds Morpheus' extended range CTO filter, which can either be used to color-correct daylight sources to match tungsten units or to "bend" the CYM color mix for additional subtle color control.