Flightcase specialists 5 Star have produced the brand new ‘Special Projects’ console, which houses two of the new units along with the popular DJM-800 mixer, allowing DJs to integrate visuals into their sets.
The console was conceived by 5 Star’s in-house design team, in close collaboration with Pioneer Europe NV, and the brief was to produce the pro DJ and VJ ‘s dream console. It will be used to demonstrate 5 Star’s design and manufacturing capabilities.
“Most consoles of this nature will be completely unique, and are designed and built to individual specifications,” explains 5 Star’s sales manager, Andy Harford. He adds that several specialist consoles have been manufactured for pro users and companies, but the launch of Pioneer’s DVJ-1000 in July prompted 5 Star to produce this system with a “real difference.”
The design team made the decision to position the two DVJ-1000 players at angles to the central mixer for an ergonomic, easy-to-use layout. Other features of the console, from 5 Star’s Pro-Tect range, include three 6.5” TFT screens, one for each player and one output monitor, which are controlled by a Pioneer VSW-1 video switcher mounted in an angled pod behind the players and mixer.
The complete pods were CNC machined using 5 Star’s two Thermwood centers and designed using the recently installed Solid Edge 3D software.
Harford concludes, “Pro DJs and VJs want the best, not only in terms of the gear, but the aesthetics, layout, and usability are all equally important.”
The DVJ-1000 console will be shown for the first time at PLASA 2006 on 5 Star’s stand, R50.
