Analogue-sequencer

> I have been toying with idea of putting the P3 in a 7" by 17" panel. 

Ah lovely, a panel with Imperial dimensions... ;-)
The 'minimal desktop layout' is 16 3/4" x 6 1/4", so it'll fit in 17" x
7".

> Would it be possible to have the Midi jacks brought onto the front 
> panel just right of the display?

Not really in a 17x7 panel. I think it might be a bit crampt.

> What is the depth of the P3?

The depth behind the panel of the step and keypad boards depends on your
choice of switches.
For the tact switches, I use 10mm spacers. For the Maplin key-switches,
use I 14mm spacers.
But the pot boards need more space. They mount perpendicular to the
panel, and need about 27mm space behind it.
The main board needs at least 20mm further space depending on where you
mount it behind the panel mounting boards.
Is that a bit too vague ? The desktop cases I use are 40mm deep at the
front, and 70mm deep at the back.
This gives enough space for the boards and a nice angle for the front
panel on a desktop unit.

> I would 
> also like to change the colour of the fonts and leave the front panel 
> aluminum. This would be a great plus for me and another reason to get 
> myself in gear to purchase the P3.

You can do whatever you like with the panel - just as long as you use
the correct spacing for components to be mounted on the same board. If
you're happy to use wires from the PCBs to the panel mounting
components, feel free to go completely mental.

Cheers,
Colin f