Electronic Theatre Controls
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Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) is a theatrical lighting, dimming, and control company. Founded in 1975 by Fred Foster, they are based in Middleton, Wisconsin and are currently one of the largest manufacturers of theatre equipment in the world.
One of ETC's most significant contributions to the theatrical lighting industry is the Source Four, one of the most widely-used Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ERS). They continue to expand their Source Four and Source Four-based line into other types of lighting instruments. Among these are the Source Four PAR, PARnel, Revolution (a moving light), Multi PAR and Source Four Jr. ETC's line of dimming consists of Sensor and Sensor+ Racks, including a new sine-wave product line, for theatrical applications, and Unison for architectural. ETC's signature line of products, though, is their lighting control consoles. Their consoles include the Congo, Smart Fade, Exspression, Exspress, and the Insight, the later three part of the Exspression line, the most successful line of lighting consoles in industry history.
The product line is divided up into two categories, theatrical and architecture lighting systems. ETC designs custom solutions for both implementations.
History
Brothers Bill and Fred Foster started ETC in a Madison, Wisconson Basement in 1975. Expiramenting with microprocessor technology, the two began to make digital-based lighting consoles. Throughout the next fifteen years, the two made many more consoles, improving on previous designs and finally, in 1982, ETC introduced their first branded console, the Concept, and later, in 1987, the first ever Exspression Console was launched, the flagship of the most successful console series in history, and still today.In 1990, ETC exspanded thier product line with the aqusition of Lighting Methods, Inc., in Rochester, NY. dimming company. At this, ETC becomes one of the largest autorities on lighting control equipment in the United States.
1992 is considered the most pivotal year in the history of ETC. The introduction of the Sensor+ dimming system, the Obssession lighting control console, and the most revolutionary of them all, the Source Four ellipsoidal lighting instrument. The latter of which producing cutting edge optics, supierior efficiancy, and cool beam technology.
In 1996, ETC entered the architectural lighting world with the Unison control infrastructure. And in 1998, ETC inters the automated lighting industry with their now discontinued line of Irideon architectural automated luminaires.
Years 2001 and 2002 brough on technology from Europe with the purchase of German Transtechnik Lichtsysteme and Dutch IES in 2004. Also in 2004, ETC opens its new 250,000 square foot world headquarters, where they manufacture 80% of their products (The remaining manufactured in Europe) The introduction of the Congo console followed near the end of the year and was used for the first time controlling lights and video (via 16 High End Systems Catalyst media servers) for the Eurovison Song contest in 2005.
ETC celebrates its 30th birthday in 2005 with a new line of control equipment. The Smart Solutions system includes a cost-effective lighting control system for theatre, and now architecture.
In 2006, ETC introduced new beam angles for its extremely successful line of Source Four Ellipsoidals, as well as an advanced optics option for all angles. To many professtional's dismay, the exstremely popular Obsession II lighting console was discontinued.
European Presence
In the past few years, ETC has aquired several European lighting equipment manufacturers. These include the aquisition of German Transtechnik Lichtsysteme, which enabled them access to Transtechnik's line of dimming equipment and the Avab control console line, as well as a brand of studio automation equipment. The introduction of Avab helped to launch ETC's newest console, the Congo (Marketed by ETC as "Congo, the Avab board by ETC")Obtained in 2004, Dutch company IES introduced Sine Wave Dimming Technology to the ETC spectrum.
Both of these companies were integrated into the ETC brand in 2006.
Aside from owning European companies, ETC also has offices in London, Germany, Rome, and Hong Kong.
External link
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