Source Match

Overview

Source Match (German equivalent "Quellen-Abgleich") is neither a light fixture nor grip equipment, but a software function within Aputure's Sidus Link app (or Sidus Link Pro). It is part of the Aputure/amaran ecosystem and serves to quickly match compatible lights to an existing white light source without needing to manually determine its color temperature with a color meter.

Practical background: On set, multiple light sources with different color temperatures often meet – daylight through a window, existing practical lights, ceiling lights, or streetlights. Source Match helps to color-wise integrate an additionally introduced LED light into such an existing lighting mood.

Functionality

The function utilizes the camera of the smartphone or tablet running the Sidus Link app. The user points the device at a visible white light source in the scene; the app analyzes the camera signal and derives a color temperature value (CCT) from it. This value is then transmitted to the connected, compatible Aputure/amaran lights, which adjust accordingly.

• Capture via the device camera instead of a separate color meter
• Derivation of a color temperature value from the camera image
• Wireless transmission to the lights via the Sidus Mesh network or the app

Source Match is closely related to the Color Picker, also included in Sidus Link, but differs in purpose: Color Picker captures any arbitrary color value (hue/saturation) from the camera image, while Source Match is specifically designed for matching white light sources via their color temperature.

Use on Set

A typical application is integrating an LED light into a pre-existing lighting situation – for example, to approximate the color of a fill light to existing daylight or warm practicals, so that the additional source does not appear out of place in the image. Since the values are sent directly from the app to the light, the matching can be done without complex gel selection.

Prerequisites: Source Match requires a Sidus Link-capable control chain – meaning compatible Aputure/amaran lights and a connection via the Sidus Mesh network or the Sidus Link app (possibly with a Sidus Link Bridge). It is a manufacturer-specific function and not an industry-wide standard.

As the measurement is done via a consumer camera, Source Match should be understood as a quick working tool; for maximum precision in color matching, a dedicated color meter remains the more accurate reference.