Continuing the ongoing supply chain of case solutions to DiGiCo UK, 5 Star has produced another case for the SD range of digital consoles.

 The SD11 is the latest to come from the DiGiCo stable, following on from the huge success of the SD7, SD8, SD9 and the also new SD10 broadcast console. 

The SD11, the smallest DiGiCo console is two consoles in one – a rackmountable mixer and a table top mixer with smart end cheeks and arm rest, an easy one-person lift from truck to table top, ready for action.  5 Star’s design team was instructed just before Christmas 2010 to design a case solution for the SD11, planned for launch at the recent Pro Light + Sound in Frankfurt.  “Upon seeing the prototype SD11 at the end of last year, the first thing that was obvious to us was the compact size of the new console”.  Explains Keith Sykes, 5 Star’s MD, “We worked extremely closely with all divisions at DiGiCo, including Mechanical Design, Electronic Design and of course Sales & Marketing.  All of which had an input into the finer points of the case design”..

Once 5 Star had full 3D ‘models’, produced by DiGiCo’s head of mechanical design Chris Ladbrook, the case evolved.  Two key features were designed into the new case.  The first one is the tilt mechanism, found on many of 5 Star’s standard range of 19” ‘Mixer Racks’.  “The SD11 was an ideal candidate for a tilt mechanism system within the case, giving the user a ten position angled work-surface, utilising twin ratchet stays”, Sykes continues, “Our Solid Edge 3D visualisation software again was an invaluable tool for the design team”.  The second and unique feature of the SD11 case was the incorporation of LED lighting built into the tilt mechanism cheeks.  Two strip of  multi-point LED’s are flush mounted into slots in each of the 19” rack support cheeks, and are connected directly connected to the SD11’s light supply, which can be dimmed from the console.  These LED’s give a smooth, even light over the whole console, while at the same time not causing any glare on the 15” screen.    

DiGiCo’s Sales & Marketing Director Dave ‘Webby’ Webster explains, “It’s a treat to work on new projects with 5 Star Cases.  They always seem to come up with something special!  I think the LED technology built into the case is stunning.  Along with the tilt system, this gives DiGiCo an edge over the competition when it comes to case solutions”

Keith Sykes and DiGiCo’s Head of Software Development, Roger Wood with the SD11 at Pro Light + Sound, Frankfurt 2011

5 Star Cases have again been contracted to design and manufacture a new case for Pioneer Europe.  Based on the success of the Pro-440 case which, to date has exceeded over 7000 units supplied, the new Pro-350 has a few unique features.

Mainly, the rear section now incorporates the cable management or ‘loom-box’, to ensure connections and cabling are kept out of sight.  This simple 90° upstand creates the ‘loom-box’ area where a separate structure was required on the Pro-440 case.

Other features include a specially manufactured cable access cover by means of a split rubber membrane for easy cable entry.  However, the most notable feature on this new case is the Pioneer branding.  All previous cases in the Pioneer range have been supplied with screen printed logos, so a fresh approach was sought when designing the Pro-350.  Taking advantage of 5 Star’s three Thermwood CNC machining centres, the design team set about creating the Pioneer DJ logo into a die, manufactured from polyethylene which could be used to press the logo directly into the 6mm plywood, creating a permanent but subtle branding for the case.  Having produced a number of tests and prototypes for evaluation, the correct pressure for the Samco hydraulic platten press was achieved.

Internally the case features die-cut foam inserts for equipment protection.
The case houses Pioneer’s recently launched CDJ-350 players and

DJM-350 mixer.  The case is finished in a striking new grey leather effect vinyl covering and a new style handle, again featuring subtle Pioneer branding.

The Pro-350 package and all other Pioneer branded cases are only available from Pioneer dealers throughout Europe and the rest of the World.  Please contact your Pioneer dealer for further information.