Grow Your Own Music with the Plant-Based Pocket Scion Synth
▼ Summary
– Modern Biology gained viral fame for controlling a modular synth with mushrooms, inspiring the creation of Pocket Scion as a more affordable and portable alternative.
– The Pocket Scion is a self-contained instrument that converts biofeedback from living organisms into MIDI data to generate soundscapes using built-in engines.
– It originated from a collaboration between artist Modern Biology and Glasgow-based Instruo, building on their earlier Scion module for biofeedback control.
– The device offers advanced features like MIDI output, a companion app for sound design, and Open Sound Control for integration with audio/video software.
– Despite an initial sell-out, preorders are available for the next batch of Pocket Scions, priced at $149.
Turning living organisms into musical instruments is no longer a fantasy reserved for avant-garde artists with deep pockets. The Pocket Scion makes biofeedback music accessible to everyone, offering a portable and surprisingly affordable way to generate sound from plants, fungi, or even your own skin. This innovative device opens up a world of creative possibilities without requiring a background in electrical engineering or modular synthesis.
A few years back, an artist known as Modern Biology captured widespread attention by demonstrating how mushrooms could control a modular synthesizer. Those viral videos showcased a fascinating intersection of nature and technology, but the equipment involved was both complex and costly. Now, that same concept has been distilled into a compact, user-friendly instrument anyone can use.
At the heart of the original setup was a module called Scion, designed by Glasgow-based company Instruo. It converts bioelectrical signals, whether from a houseplant, a mushroom, or human skin, into control voltage (CV), which then manipulates other components in a modular synth system. By completing a circuit between two sensors, even subtle electrical variations can be harnessed to trigger notes, adjust filters, or shape evolving soundscapes.
Modern Biology later collaborated with Instruo to develop something more accessible. The result is the Pocket Scion, a self-contained device that translates tiny electrical changes from organic sources into MIDI data. It features four built-in sound engines, allowing users to craft rich auditory environments directly from the natural world.
Beyond its core functionality, the Pocket Scion boasts impressive versatility. It includes MIDI output for controlling external hardware, and a companion app for Windows, macOS, and Linux provides deep sound design options for crafting custom patches. The device also supports Open Sound Control (OSC), enabling integration with software like Max/MSP, Pure Data, and Unreal Engine. This makes it a powerful tool not only for music production but also for interactive visual art and immersive installations.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the Pocket Scion remains remarkably affordable at just $149. Its initial production run sold out almost instantly, reflecting strong demand from musicians, artists, and tech enthusiasts. Retailer Control Voltage is currently accepting preorders for the next batch, which is expected to ship very soon.
(Source: The Verge)
