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.
As a one-off, 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.
The design team took 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 centres and designed using the recently installed Solid Edge 3D software.
Harford says: "Pro DJ's and VJ's want the best, not only in terms of the gear - the aesthetics, layout and usability are all equally important - and they're not shy of paying for it!"
The DVJ-1000 console will be shown for the first time at PLASA 2006 on 5 Star's stand - R50.
(Chris Henry)
