Would people still want them? There has been discussion about having dark panels to match the stealth cases in the past. If this were to happen, would it be like a diy panels-only thing, or would we be able to order new modules in the dark format?
Intellijel staff, if enough people were interested, would you actually (finally) release the stealth series?
What if there was some sort of trade-in program? I know it wouldn’t be practical what with COVID and all, but that seems to be clearing up a little bit. I’d totally trade in modules even if it only gave me a discount on their stealth counterparts.
I’d buy panels in black, particularly for Planar2, Tête and Tetrapad - as they are an island surrounded by dark panels in my case.
It would be very preferable if they were black-anodized aluminum, like Xaoc Devices black panels - not PCB material (ie. Make Noise, INSTRUō).
I’d assume they’d be sold as optional panel replacements - which Intellijel already has for aluminum panels.
Aesthetics are such an important thing… I tend to have to constantly battle my sense of aesthtics against ergonomics - nrefusing to place silver and black modules next to each other, and maitaining patterns, even if the ergonomics of placement are inconvenient, or often downright dumb. I’ve even heard some people on ModWiggler downright refuse to buy modules that are silver (or black) for purely aesthetic reasons - which is rediculous when you think about it. But I am equally as rediculous, as I often judge modules’ designs partially for aesthetic qualities (my preferences: Frap Tools, Intellijel, INSTRUō, Xaoc Devices, Buchla!), and it takes a lot of technical superpowers to make me deviate from that - ie. Piston Honda and Hertz Donut, Pamela’s NEW! Workout, Klavis Quadigy, and Make Noise QPAS and LXd.
Klavis Quadigy is an example of a real bastard panel. The module itself is GENIUS. But two-tone silver panel with black edges is horrible looking (reminds me of Beetlejuice), and their use of 4 different fonts is a bit obnoxious.
I only buy modules with dark panels (call it an artistic constraint, if you will), so have been holding off on Intellijel for a while. patiently waiting for the day first-party dark panels become an option to gobble a bunch up though!
I definitely am! D: but it’s also fun and interesting as a constraint, and hopefully over time if there are more folks voting for dark panels with their dollars, manufacturers will offer both.
I’ve been able to get some 1u black panels and 1u black modules for my Stealth, but the silver is a barrier for me getting the regular Intellijel modules. If that door is opened I’d certainly bring more Intellijel modules into the system.
Yes, it almost exclusively seems to be “people who only want black modules”, as well. Like, there doesn’t seem to be similar noise from the silver camp.
I would be that way IF! Silver wasn’t the lazy way out. “Oh, uh, it’s got a scratch-proof aluminum panel. It’s significantly stronger than PCB” Great. Could you at least decorate it a little? NGL, some days I love the down-to-earth aesthetic of the Intellijel panels, some days I want my synth to have just as much character visually as it does sonically.
One angle where Intellijel is a clear winner on this topic, for me is that if you built a system over a decade, you can still finish it with the same colour you started. (Some other brands too)
@Alastair yea! love reading all the different synthie perspectives Me, I’m climbing through the windows for the best functional (and hp) fit, over colour.
@Steve-the-player: Regarding preferences, I also enjoy both simple and chaotic styles on different days.
But in contrast to the actual printed design, the precision cut aluminium material panels (in my understanding) are far from the lazy option. When getting it done domestically became prohibitive, manufacturers started switching materials. Intellijel sought out a more distant fabricator who was still acheiving the necessary aluminium cutting precision for a non-domestic module brand.
Final thought, the aesthetic appeal of black is not lost on me, but is somewhat negated by how much (more) dust my black modules reveal. What you don’t see in the truly seductive IG clips. In any case, I consider my vacuum part of my “gear list” so that’s not a deal-breaker.
Seriously, my request to manufacturers: just don’t lose colours/materials you offered in the past simply because it’s more legwork / quality control.
I hesitated to post in here since it feels like a slightly controversial/judgment-inducing topic, but I’m just gonna do it.
It hasn’t been an all-or-nothing, black-and-white (silver) thing for me, but I have been strongly favoring modules with silver panels. There haven’t been any exceptions so far, but I’m guessing there will be in the future. I’m really interested in the Morphagene, for example, and though there’s an aftermarket silver panel, I actually think I’m gonna keep it black when I get it. I feel like I want to stay true to the Make Noise aesthetic with that one.
That said, I have been thinking about getting a small black palette for my black modules in the future. I am diagnosed OCD so that has a lot to do with it.
Lastly, there are sooo many options out there with modular. It may seem like a “superficial” constraint, but constraints are needed in a hobby like this where the options constantly seem endless.
Black panels would be a-ok for me! Ofc they don’t change the sound, but all black always seems to beckon to me more. Maybe something to do with my early encounters with an original system 55/IIIc…
I’d love the option of black panels! I have 2 systems, large and small. The small happens to be all black and is outgrowing it’s case - I’d love to get a stealth Palette and be able to get black 1U panels. My larger system happens to be moving slowly towards more black panels, so black 3U would be great too.
I really love module makers who give you a choice between black/white/silver when you buy a module and also make just the front panels in the “other” color(s) available so you can switch depending on what your current setup is.
for me that’s definitely part of it. and so if I’m then choosing which color way to go with, I prefer black/dark to silver/light.
fwiw I do also still prefer the bits of color for text and labels and whatnot, so it’s not a monochrome zealotry. thus if the intellijel gang finally does one day release first-party black panels, I do hope they retain the colored labels as they are very useful within the visual design language.
Make Noise QPAS and LXd.
Me, I’m climbing through the windows for the best functional (and hp) fit, over colour.
I am diagnosed OCD so that has a lot to do with it.