I’ve mentioned this in several posts but I figured it’d be easier for Sub 37 owners to find if it had its own topic:
Get some dark Orange gel (the kind they use for colored stage lights), cut it to the size of the display screen, and use a tiny bit of double-sided tape on its outer edges to affix it to the screen. Four ultra-tiny dots of Elmer’s Glue will also work; just let it cure a while so it doesn’t smear.
the end result will be that the light blue display will become almost exactly the same color as the LEDs.
The result is stunning and… you’ll finally be able to program in the dark (which is how I always program my Sub 37).
Pretty much any color will help reduce the brightness. You can also get interesting results from Reds, Blues, and Purples if you’re not trying to match the other light sources on the panel.
Try to get your hands on a gel swatch book. It has dozens of colors to choose from and the swatches are slightly larger than the display screen. You can also mix-and-match to get interesting display colors.
You may find yourself changing the colors of all of your keyboards and gear displays.
I would look for firms, which lend PA- and Light-systems. I think they will give you a little cutting for a small amount of money or maybe for nothing.
@DemonDan: so you’re suggesting to affix that gel to the outside of the display cover? wouldn’t it look nicer and be more stable if you put it inside that little plastic window in front of the display?
I have noticed though light-leakage from around the three push buttons below the display so might consider cutting the gel to go around these three buttons… what I could do with is a dimensioned drawing of that corner of the Sub37 panel
Seriously, don’t use gels and tape/glue. Will look so nasty.
Mentioned this before but translucent vinyl is what you’ll want. if you go to a signage shop and they have any of the colour you want (Yellow i’m assuming) they will give it to you.
In fact I will do it and take a pic later to show.
yeah exactly. It’s stuff that is used for lightbox signage and stuff like fake stained glass windows.
I have some right in front of me now and when I get home i’ll stick it on and see how it looks.
So far I have not stuck down the film as I want to pursue egg’s suggestion but the colour of the display now pretty much matches, or is slightly darker than the leds.
I’ll try and take a photo that does it justice later
This is two layers and although the flash makes it look duller, in reality it’s as bright as it was before the film was on. You could put another layer or two on to make the yellow shade darker to match better but I couldn’t be bothered as I quite like the display as it is so removed the vinyl. It is a shame about the light leak around the buttons below but you may be able to open it up and tuck the vinyl from the bottom of the display down and act as a shade for the light created below the face plate.
Thanks for the photo egg, that looks very good. I am going to try and see how I feel about my gel approach once I have stuck a piece down and if I don’t like it I will go with your sticky back vinyl technique. I’d like to try and stop the light leakage around the three buttons too.
I have a load of Deep Orange gel left if anyone in the UK wants to try a piece, about the size of a ‘Swan Vesta’ matchbox should be enough.
