The Complete Guide to Quasar Science LED Tubes & the Ossium System

Last updated: 7 August 2026. Prices are in AUD and correct at the time of writing. Specs are Quasar Science's published figures.

Quasar Science pioneered the film-industry LED tube, a slim, full-colour light you can hide in shot, wrap around a set, or gang into a big soft panel. The current range is built on two RGBX tubes, the Rainbow 2 and the Double Rainbow, plus the Ossium system that rigs them and combines them into panels. This guide explains it all. To pick the right tube and length, see our Rainbow 2 vs Double Rainbow buying guide.

Why a linear LED tube?

A tube is the most versatile shape in modern lighting. On its own it's a practical, an edge light, a hidden source or a hair light; several together build a wall of soft light; and because it's full-colour and pixel-addressable, one tube can do everything from a warm candle glow to a police-light chase. That flexibility is why tubes have become a set staple, and Quasar is the brand that started it.

Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow

The Rainbow 2 is the everyday tube, RGBX Spectral Science colour with a 1,750 to 10,000K range, over a billion colours, and high accuracy (CRI up to 95, TM30 up to 94, SSI up to 91). Every tube is individually pixel-addressable (10 pixels on the 2', 24 on the 4', 48 on the 8') with an onboard FX engine for effects like fire, TV, paparazzi and emergency. The Double Rainbow adds a second row of pixels for double the output and a denser pixel array, the pick when you need more punch or finer pixel effects, in 2' and 4' lengths.

Control and power

Both tubes control onboard and over DMX, sACN and Art-Net (wired) or CRMX, W-DMX and Bluetooth (wireless), with a built-in Ethernet node and the starCTRL app for wireless design. They run on universal AC and DC (including 12/24VDC), so they work on mains or batteries. Power several tubes cleanly from one source with the Multibank power adaptors (2-, 4- and 12-bank) and the Swampbox distribution platform.

The Ossium system, rig it and build panels

Ossium is what turns tubes into a lighting system. Mount and position single tubes with the Ossium frame with yoke, rotator, baby pin and magnetic feet. Gang tubes into a soft source with the bank shells, 2-bank and 4-bank, or go big with an Ossium frame holding 12 Rainbow 2 tubes for a large, controllable panel.

Shaping the light

Add a Snapbag softbox to a bank or frame for soft, contained light, and Snapgrid eggcrates or diffusion to control spread and spill, the same modifier language crews already know.

Kits

If you want a ready-to-shoot set, Quasar offers multi-tube kits, for example the Rainbow 2 4' Quad Kit and Double Rainbow 4' Double Kit, with tubes, power and cases together.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow?

They share the same RGBX colour science (1,750 to 10,000K, over a billion colours, CRI up to 95). The Double Rainbow has two rows of pixels for roughly double the output and a denser pixel array, in 2' and 4' lengths; the Rainbow 2 comes in 2', 4' and 8' and is the lighter, more affordable everyday tube.

Are Quasar Science tubes full colour?

Yes, both use the RGBX Spectral Science Color Engine for over a billion colours plus accurate tunable white from 1,750K to 10,000K, and every tube is individually pixel-addressable for effects.

Can Quasar tubes run on batteries?

Yes, they accept universal AC and DC power including 12/24VDC, so they can run from mains or battery power on location.

What is the Quasar Ossium system?

Ossium is Quasar's modular mounting and rigging ecosystem, frames, yokes, bank shells, magnetic feet, rotators and baby pins, that positions single tubes and gangs multiple tubes into soft panels, which you can then modify with softboxes and grids.

How do I power several Quasar tubes at once?

Use the Multibank power adaptors (2-, 4- or 12-bank) and the Swampbox distribution platform to run several tubes cleanly from a single power source.

Black Flag is the exclusive distributor of Quasar Science in Australia

Where to buy in Australia

Black Flag Distribution is the official Australian distributor of the professional film, television and production brands featured in this guide. We supply an Australia-wide network of authorised retailers and stockists rather than selling direct to the public, so there is a local dealer who can help wherever you are. To check pricing and availability and to buy, use the Black Flag Distribution store finder to find an authorised retailer or stockist near you. Search our store finder to locate your nearest Australian stockist and purchase from an authorised dealer.