Draft:Source Four

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Draft:Source Four
  • Comment: Needs more sourcing for "Other Models & Lines" msk 22:44, 30 July 2026 (UTC)
Source Four
Fixture Details
Fixture Type(s)ERS, PAR, Fresnel
Purpose(s)Spot, Wash, Cyc
Rigging Method(s)Yoke, Track-mount (MO), Canopy (MO)
ModelsJunior, Mini, PAR, Fresnel, PARNel, 4WRD, 4WRD II, 4WRD Color, 4WRD Color II, LED
Lamp Type(s)HPL, QXL, LED, Lustr, HID
Data InputLine, DMX (3-pin & 5-pin)
Color(s)Black, White
AutomatedS4 Revolution Only
Production
Inventor(s)David Cunningham, Gregg Esakoff
First Sold1992
Manufacturer(s)Electronic Theatre Controls
Currently ProducedYes
Websitehttps://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Entertainment-Fixtures/Source-Four/

Source Four (Source 4 or S4) is the brand name for entertainment lighting fixtures manufactured by Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC). The name originally applied to the HPL lamp and ellipsoidal reflector spotlight (ERS) first produced in 1992,[1] but now applies to the series of related fixtures, and often–erroneously–for any type of ERS as a generic trademark. It can be combined with separate, rotatable interchangeable lens barrels to create different field angles, as well as other fixture bodies to become other luminaire types such as a PAR or Fresnel.[2][3] It is commonly found in theaters, film/television studios, churches, concert halls, museums, theme parks, and other multipurpose spaces.

The Source Four is named for the four-filament design in the lamp invented by David Cunningham and Greg Esakoff of Entertec.[4][5][6] The main advantage of this specific design over the previous ERS models is its improvements to light emission, heat dissipation and power efficiency.[7][8][2] Heat dissipation is improved due to a dichroic glass reflector that only reflects visible light and allows infrared light to pass through to the cooling system at the back of the fixture.[3] It is also credited for its minimal light spill and focus controllability.[9][10]

Incandescent models use 375 watt, 575 watt, and 750 watt High Performance Lamps (HPLs) manufactured by USHIO. The four filament design of the bulbs are near 40% more efficient with a 600 watt outputting light equivalent to a traditional 1000 watt bulb.[3] Unlike previous ERS lights, the bulb on a Source Four is in line with the lenses, rather than at an angle.[3] All Source Fours models are constructed from die-cast aluminum.[11][12]

Source Four

Source Four fixture with 10° Lens barrel

The Source Four is based on an interchangeable lamp base and shutter barrel to which various lens tubes can be added. These range in size from 5° all the way to 90°, with 26°, 36°, and 50° being most common. It can also be equipped with either of two zoom barrels that can angle 15° to 30°, and 25° to 50° respectively.[11] It can hold A, B, and Glass size patterns and gel media holders range from 6.25" to 14" frames depending on lens barrel.[13]

Source Four jr

The Source Four Junior (stylized as Source Four jr) is a smaller, less expensive version of the primary Source Four fixture. They come in four barrel angles variants 26°, 36°, 50°, and a zoom lens between 25° to 50°.[14] Unlike the standard Source Four, the Source Four jr does not have interchangeable lenses, instead having a one-piece shell. It uses a smaller M-size pattern holder and 6.25" gel media holder.[13]

Other Models & Lines

Conventional:
  • The Source Four Mini is the smallest fixture in the Source Four line at 9" (23 cm) long weighing 740g. It is mainly for use in museums and lecture halls. These fixtures are constructed exactly like the main model, but at a much smaller scale. [15][16]
    A technician holding a Source Four PARnel
  • The Source Four PAR & PARnel, introduced in 1995,[17] is a fixture body that attaches to the Source Four Lamp base to act like a PAR64 lamp. It creates a similar effect to a PAR fixture, but uses the HPL bulb rather than the now discontinued PAR64. The PARnel is similar, except rather than separate, interchangeable lenses, the beam angle can be adjusted with a knob on the back similar to a fresnel.[18] They are described as "compact alternatives to both the traditional PAR and Fresnel."[2]
  • The Source Four Fresnel is a fresnel style fixture that uses the same lamp and heat-dissipating technology as other Source Four products. [10]
  • The Source Four Revolution is a discontinued moving head fixture first introduced in 2004.[19] It used a modular system including a 24-cell color scroller assembly, motorized zoom, and iris and shutter controls. It also had pan and tilt functions and used a QXL (Quick eXchange Lamp, also manufactured by USHIO) bulb.[20][21]
  • In 2011, ETC introduced the Source Four XT HID, a fixture designed for outdoor stages, arenas, and other locations where water ingress is likely.[22] Unlike other models, this fixture uses a 150w Ceramic Metal Halide HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lamp, as well as a low-copper aluminum lamp housing, and a copper-free aluminum body. Unlike the other IP20-rated Source Four fixtures which cannot handle any water ingress, the XT line is rated IP66.[12]
LED:
  • The Source Four LED line first launched in March of 2012 as the Source Four LED Series 1 Tungsten, Daylight, and Lustr+.[23] They used different versions of the Selador X7 LED array named after the company ETC acquired in 2009.[24] The Lustr+ used a 7 colour LED array of red, green, amber, white, cyan and indigo. In 2014 ETC launched the Source Four LED Series 2 Lustr that added a lime-colored LED to the gamut to increase brightness and improve flesh appearance.[25] The Tungsten and Daylight Series 2 models followed a few months later. These were replaced by the Source Four LED Series 3 in 2021, discontinuing the Tungsten model. The Series 3 Lustr X8 system added deep red to the existing X7 LED palette of red, green, blue, amber, cyan, indigo, and lime.[26] The Daylight model features a palette of red, mint, blue, indigo, cyan, and deep red.[27]
  • Source 4WRD (a portmanteau of "four" and "forward") is a line of LED fixtures made to replace less-efficient incandescent fixtures, as well as LED lamp bases meant to retrofit existing Source Four bodies by supplanting conventional Source Four lamp bases.[21]: 127  It was first introduced in 2016. In early 2020, the Source 4WRD II was introduced with higher energy efficiency capabilities.[28] Later that year, the Source 4WRD Color variant introduced an RGBA (Red, Green, Blue, and Amber) LED Array.[29] In 2023, the Source 4WRD Color II was released with upgraded color rendering and saturation. They are compatible with any full-size Source Four fixture including PAR and Fresnel.
  • A Source Four with a Ten Degree barrel. Mounted for followspot use.
    A Source Four with a Ten Degree barrel. Mounted for followspot use.
  • Source Four PAR fixtures
    Source Four PAR fixtures
  • Source 4 ERSs and PARS
    Source 4 ERSs and PARS
  • Source 4 ERSs, and PARs
    Source 4 ERSs, and PARs
  • Source 4 fixtures with Top Hats
    Source 4 fixtures with Top Hats
  • An electrician focusing Source 4 fixtures
    An electrician focusing Source 4 fixtures

References

  1. ^ Wild, Larry (2015-09-14). "A Brief History of Stage Lighting". Northern State University. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 2024-01-08 – via Archive.org.
  2. ^ a b c Shelley, Steven (2013-05-02). A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting (2nd illustrated ed.). Burlington, MA: Taylor & Francis. p. 33. ISBN 9781136083822.
  3. ^ a b c d Mort, Skip (2015-09-24). Stage Lighting: The Technicians' Guide (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781474212717.
  4. ^ "Parnelli Profile: David Cunningham | PLSN". 2015-09-17. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  5. ^ "Theatrecrafts - Equipment - Source Four". www.theatrecrafts.com. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  6. ^ US Patent 5268613, Cunningham, David, "Incandescent Illumination System", issued 1993-12-07, assigned to Gregory Esakoff 
  7. ^ Horpedahl, Paul (2020-11-13). "Revolutions in Tech". Opera America.
  8. ^ Sound, Fachredaktion Prolight + (2017-10-22). "A Quarter-Century of Source Four from ETC". Prolight + Sound Blog. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  9. ^ Malkiewicz, Kris (2012). Film Lighting: talks with Hollywood's cinematographers and gaffers. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. pp. 37–38. ISBN 978-1-4391-6906-3.
  10. ^ a b Gillette, J. Michael (2019). Designing with Light: An Introduction to Stage Lighting. Michael J. McNamara (7th ed.). S.l.: ROUTLEDGE. pp. 48, 75. ISBN 978-0-429-81579-9.
  11. ^ a b "Source Four Features". www.etcconnect.com. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  12. ^ a b "Source Four XT HID Zoom Datasheet". ETC Connect. ETC. November 2014. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  13. ^ a b "S4 Accessories Sheet" (.qxd). Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  14. ^ "Source Four jr Features". www.etcconnect.com. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  15. ^ "Source Four Mini LED Features". www.etcconnect.com. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  16. ^ Evans, Jim (2013-03-25). "ETC introduces Source Four Mini luminaire". Lighting & Sound International. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  17. ^ "Selling the First Source Four". blog.etcconnect.com. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  18. ^ Moody, James L.; Dexter, Paul (2016-10-04). Concert lighting: the art and business of entertainment lighting (4th ed.). New York: Focal Press, Taylor & Francis Group. pp. 213–215. ISBN 978-1-317-37428-2.
  19. ^ "iSquint.net » The Revolution finally goes LED? Introducing the Releve Spot by ETC". Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  20. ^ Moody, James; Dexter, Paul (2013-05-02). Concert Lighting: Techniques, Art and Business. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-136-08270-2.
  21. ^ a b Dunham, Richard E. (2015-10-30). Stage Lighting: Fundamentals and Applications. CRC Press. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-317-34393-6.
  22. ^ Suchon, Allison (2011-04-07). "ETC Adds to its Legendary Line of Lighting Fixtures | Live Design Online". www.livedesignonline.com. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  23. ^ Baldock, Lee, ed. (May 2012). "ETC shows Source Four LED". Lighting & Sound International (Periodical). No. 310. 38 St Leonards Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3UT, UK: PLASA Media Ltd. p. 64. Retrieved 10 January 2024 – via LSI Online Digital Archive.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  24. ^ "Electronic Theatre Controls acquires Selador for its LED technology". FX Design. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  25. ^ "ETC Source Four LED Series 2 Lustr Luminaires Front And Center In All-LED Performing Arts Centre | Live Design Online". www.livedesignonline.com. 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  26. ^ LSI Staff. "PLASA Show 2022: ETC returns with Eos Apex". Lighting & Sound International. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  27. ^ "Source Four LED Series 3 Datasheet". ETC Connect. ETC. May 2024. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  28. ^ "ETC Introduces Source 4WRD II LED". Church Production Magazine. 2020-03-06. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  29. ^ "ETC Launches Source 4WRD Color". www.etnow.com. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2026-08-01.

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