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5 Star Cases helped celebrate the making of the 500th SD8 digital console by donating the flightcase to DiGiCo for a very special occasion. The audio console manufacturer is running a special game of skill, with an SD8 digital mixing system as the winning prize, the proceeds of which will be donated to the families of two of the best known and loved sound engineers in the business - John Roden and Jim Douglas. Sadly, both are no longer with us.

It has been a one-source flightcase solution provider to DiGiCo from the launch of the flagship SD7 console case in 2007. With an eye to detail and a flair for design, 5 Star was ideally suited to deliver a flight case that incorporated the design features of the consoles whilst still offering the rugged protection needed in the real world. When the DiGiCo SD8 console was launched in September 2008, 5 Star were once again asked to provide the flightcase. Building on the success of the SD7 version, the 5 Star design team again produced a case to compliment the superb lines of the new, smaller console. The first batch of cases to accompany the console's launch was produced with striking gold anodised extrusions and black powder coated hardware, highlighted with gold screen-printed DiGiCo branding. "Our colleagues at DiGiCo recently placed an order for a one-off SD8 flight case," explained 5 Star's MD, Keith Sykes.




Keith Sykes and James Gordon at PLASA 2009


	"When we realised what it was for, I immediately contacted DiGiCo's James Gordon and donated the case 'with our compliments'. Although 5 Star had not directly known John Roden or Jim Douglas, the close connection they enjoyed with DiGiCo was enough reason for the case to be donated to commemorate their lives and contributions to the industry.


	"The 500th SD8 is an amazing achievement and I can think of no better way of celebrating it," Sykes concludes, adding, "From the outset, we have forged a special relationship with DiGiCo and treated it as a partnership, not just a customer. We hope that the money raised from this will help the two families in the future"



				2009 has been somewhat busy for 5 Star in terms of exhibitions. For the first time in its history, the company has participated in four exhibitions. The last one of 2009 was the ever growing BPM Show at the NEC, Birmingham. Over the two day show, held on October 3rd and 4th, turnout of visitors was impressive. On display was a selection of cases produced for leading manufacturer Pioneer. A ‘flagship’ VJ console with a specialist CNC machined housing incorporating an SVM1000 mixer, DVJ1000 DVD’s and the MEP7000 media player.



		An external TFT monitor was also featured as part of the console. The recently launched Arena range of competitively priced racks was also on display. Manning the booth 5 Star’s MD, Keith Sykes, Sales Manager Andy Harford and Natasha Saich from the sales administration department.

5 Star Cases has been chosen to supply flight cases for Global Design Solutions' (GDS) award winning LiteWare battery powered/Wireless DMX LED uplighters. GDS contacted several case manufacturers to tender for the contract before making their decision. Says GDS's Matt Lloyd: "We selected 5 Star because of their great attitude, the quality of their products, the very quick response time and their ability to deliver the volume we need and work in a truly collaborative way with us."


	The Tour Grade flight cases were designed and specified by GDS's head of engineering Richard Cuthbert, working closely with 5 Star's in-house design team. Each case houses six LiteWare fixtures in foam protected compartments. A unique feature incorporated early in the design stages is a bespoke battery charging plate which is fixed into the bottom of each compartment, allowing all six units to be re-charged whilst inside the case simply by connecting a single mains lead. The default exterior finish of the cases is a smart high pressure laminate (HPL). The majority of 100 or so cases already supplied to GDS have been in the standard black, however custom colours - including a striking royal blue finish for one client - are also available. Matt Lloyd adds that 5 Star's flexibility and willingness to produce tailor made special variations on the standard design was also a deciding factor in choosing them as a case supplier.



		5 Star’s Keith Sykes with Matt Lloyd of GDS at PLASA 2009


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