With the advent of RGB,RGBA,RGBWA LED fixtures, there is a new flexibility in color in lighting out there. By mixing the aforementioned colors, you can theoretically create any color in a swatchbook. This is a bit tricky when trying to match with incandescent sources and gel colors. It is possible to get very close and in some cases, spot on. Another alternative is to use a Smart Color Pro color scroller with a white only LED fixture. The single color fixtures are usually much brighter than the multicolor LED fixtures. By permanently mounting a piece of color correction to “warm up” the cooler LED sources to match the incandescent sources, you will not be fussing with color mixing three primaries. The added benefit is that the scrollers can still be used on the existing incandescent fixtures when the LEDs are used elsewhere or when they are gelled in only one color. Until someone manufactures an affordable and bright RGB or RGBWA, the color scroller (Smart Color Pro) on the bright and white LED fixture is a viable alternative.
July 20th, 2011 on 8:27 pm
I have to respectfully disagree.
Color scrollers with gel, dichroics, or gels alone, employee the subtractive process. It begins with the existing white light and the color media absorbs unwanted frequencies of light, leaving the desired color to pass through. The light yield is reduced with any color, and significantly in saturated colors.
As white light LEDs do not produce the same intensity or spectrum of white light that incandescent light sources do, it stands to reason that the subtractive process will not yield the same results as incandescent sources.
The only current solution is the additive process of RGB, RGBW, RGBWA, RGB Cyan Amber, or a process that utilizes seven different colors of LEDs.
Unfortunately, all of the currently available LED solutions that can also make an acceptable white light, along with sufficient output, are still relatively expensive.