Channel Track

Channel Track is the component in the lighting control system that translates the operator's actions into the low voltage control signals required by the dimmers in the power center. It employs digital techniques through the use of microprocessors to execute these translations. In addition, these translations in the form of "memories" are memorized on "floppy disk" for continued and future use.

This manual has been prepared to enable the novice to operate "Channel Track" in a minimum amount of time with a maximum amount of effect." 

Exerpt from the original Channel Track Operations Manual, 1978

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Making Channel Track

“We actually got the order from Colortran to make the Channel Track. Much of the code and electronic design of Channel Track was derived from Mega Cue. We built the face plates, sold them an 8” floppy disk drive and the processor board for $5,000 – the $5,000 my brother said we could do it for. Colortran put a $1,000 box around it and sold the whole thing for about $30,000.”                   - Fred Foster
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Get under the hood of Channel Track with the original ETC founders, Bill Foster, Gary Bewick, and Jimmy Bradley in this casual conversation caught on video.  

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