Lighting and control
ETC ColorSource 20
Prepare the standard CS20 and check why manual control, recorded looks and mixed playback colors can behave differently.
Ask GLMedia about renting ETC ColorSource 20 for your event. Availability and configuration are subject to confirmation.
Model and purpose
- Manufacturer
- ETC
- Model
- ETC ColorSource 20
- Variant / software scope
- CS20 standard, not AV; manual 3.4.0
- Control surface / capacity
- 20 channel/playback faders; up to 80 control channels/devices in the cited version
- Connections
- 1 DMX/RDM 5-pin port; 1 USB port
- Power
- ETC external supply; 12 VDC, 3.4 A console input per setup guide
A compact console for direct lighting control, stored looks, cue lists and effects. A control channel may represent a complete multiparameter fixture; it is not the same as a DMX slot. Check the fixture footprint against the available DMX output as well as the device allowance.
Prepare your rental inquiry
- Date, city, venue and setup, event and pickup schedule.
- Intended use, area dimensions and equipment already supplied by the venue or production.
- Show platform and version, fixture profiles, universe count and required outputs.
- Operator, connections, backup and replacement equipment to be considered.
Specify equipment only or whether setup, programming, operation and strike are also needed. Scope is confirmed in the proposal.
You do not need a final equipment list: tell us the result you want and the part you need help with. Availability and scope are confirmed in the proposal.
Features and connections
The standard model provides wired DMX/RDM and USB show storage. Ethernet lighting output, HDMI, audio and Amigo are AV model features; they are not added to a standard desk by a USB adapter.
Touchscreen controls provide a stage map, fixture parameters and color selection. The faders can control channels or recorded playbacks; configurable masters govern different playback sections. Prepare correct personalities, addresses, signal cables and external storage.
Prepare the system
- Confirm CS20 hardware, installed software and library in Setup > Settings > General. This guide uses 3.4.0. Check Simple or Complete mode before assuming that cue lists or additional channel pages are available.
- Use the ETC recommended supply and protective earth; keep vents clear. Connect the matching DMX line and test one isolated fixture at a safe level. RDM discovery still requires assigning the device to a control channel.
- Save a separate name with Setup > Files > Save As, then export the show to USB through Files > Shows > Export. Wait for completion before removing power. Internal saving and an external recovery copy serve different purposes.
Questions and troubleshooting
Manual levels work but a recorded cue or playback stays dark: what should I check?
The recorded sections have their own masters. Read the labels and actual assignments rather than assuming the fader’s position identifies its function.
- Compare the same fixture in manual control and the recorded look on an isolated test circuit. Check which section is expected to supply intensity.
- Inspect the top masters for Cues and Playbacks. If a function is missing, open Setup > Settings > Console and assign the intended master. A blank assignment is not evidence that the function is unrestricted.
- Bring only the required master to an agreed test level and compare output. Preserve the prior settings; do not raise every fader, erase memories or reset the desk to restore recorded control.
Why do two playback colors combine instead of replacing one another?
The manual describes HTP combination for playback intensity and color. Overlapping color content can produce a mixture; this is different from a latest-playback-wins workflow.
- On one isolated color fixture, compare each stored look alone, then the pair together. Record which playbacks and cue content are contributing.
- Compare the included color content before blaming a cable or personality. Rehearse transitions that release the previous color contribution rather than leaving conflicting looks active.
- Keep the original looks and test edited copies. Do not generalize the color rule to every position or beam parameter, and do not use Solo or a full-rig blackout as an unplanned way to clean up the mix.
A fixture responds but its colors or movement are wrong: how do I check the personality?
Match the exact fixture, active mode and console personality before changing addresses or recording compensating cues.
- In Setup > Patch, compare make, model, mode and starting address with the fixture’s own menu and DMX chart. Review occupied addresses for overlap.
- Use Add Device for a multiparameter fixture rather than treating it as a single dimmer. If a required personality is absent, obtain or prepare the exact documented profile before relying on it.
- For a custom profile, the manual uses userlib.jlib at the USB root and Add Device > Source > User Library. Confirm software compatibility first; save the show after patching the profile and export a backup. Test each required attribute on the isolated fixture.
Quick reference
| Item | Confirm before use |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Standard CS20 and correct external supply |
| Patch | Control channel, personality, fixture mode and DMX address |
| Playback | Active source, master assignment and contributing colors |
Precautions
- Keep the desk dry, stable and ventilated. A correct grounded power supply matters for reliable touchscreen operation; erratic touch is not a reason to bypass earth.
- Changes to profiles, RDM identification and playback controls can move or flash fixtures. Use the agreed test area and retain the original show.
- Do not interrupt a save or start a firmware change during an active show. Verify the installed version before applying a procedure or assuming the capacity of current documentation.
Terms on this page
- DMX
- A data protocol controlling lighting functions; each model defines what its channels mean.
- RDM
- Management communication for querying or configuring compatible equipment over a compatible path.
- Patch
- Assignment of fixture, profile, address and universe in the control system.
- Personality
- A control mode defining the channels and functions used by a fixture.
Documentation and sources
- ColorSource model comparison
- ColorSource datasheet — H, 2026
- ColorSource standard manual — 3.4.0
- Release notes — 3.4.0
- Standard console setup guide — C
- Recorded control and masters
- Unassigned master faders
- Fixture personality support
Consulted October 22, 2026. The standard manual and current datasheet agree on the cited capacity; older documents can differ. The checks follow official documentation and are proposed for rehearsal, not physically verified by GLMedia. Community cases identify useful questions and do not establish common faults.