On , Instruo and viral artist Modern Biology introduced the Pocket Scion, a $149 portable instrument that converts tiny electrical signals from plants or skin into MIDI and on-board synthesis.
Key Takeaways
- Pocket Scion is a compact biofeedback-driven instrument priced at $149.
- It was developed in collaboration between Instruo and Modern Biology.
- The device converts electrical changes from living tissue into MIDI and CV-compatible outputs.
- Four built-in sound engines produce audio without an external Eurorack rig.
- It supports MIDI out, Open Sound Control (OSC), and a companion app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- The initial run sold out; retailer Control Voltage lists preorders for the next batch.
Verified Facts
The Pocket Scion builds on Instruo’s existing Scion module concept, which translates bioelectric signals—measured by touching two sensors to skin or to a plant—into control voltages for synthesizers. The handheld version converts those small electrical fluctuations into MIDI messages and uses one of four onboard synthesis engines to make sound.
Price and availability are confirmed: the instrument is listed at $149. Instruo and Modern Biology said the first production run sold out shortly after launch, and retailer Control Voltage has opened preorders for the next shipment, which the retailer described as shipping “early next week.”
Connectivity includes standard MIDI output for controlling external synths, OSC support for routing data to audio and visual tools, and a cross-platform companion app for Windows, macOS, and Linux that exposes patch editing and data routing. The product is aimed at users who want plant- or touch-triggered sound without investing in an entire Eurorack system.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $149 |
| Sound engines | 4 onboard engines |
| Outputs | MIDI out, OSC via companion app |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
Context & Impact
Modern Biology first drew wide attention for videos showing modular synth control using mushrooms and other organic sensors. Pocket Scion packages similar biofeedback-driven performance techniques into an affordable, portable box so more musicians and artists can experiment with living sensors.
By converting bio signals to MIDI and OSC, Pocket Scion lowers the barrier to integrating plants or skin-based controllers into DAWs, modular setups, and multimedia installations. Its OSC support also broadens its use for reactive visual art in tools like Max/MSP, Pure Data, and Unreal Engine.
At $149, the device competes with low-cost standalone instruments and controllers rather than full Eurorack systems. For studios and educators, it offers a hands-on way to demonstrate biofeedback concepts and explore experimental performance workflows without large upfront hardware costs.
Official Statements
“The next batch is expected to ship early next week,”
Control Voltage (retailer)
Unconfirmed
- Exact shipment date and total quantity for the next production batch remain unconfirmed beyond the retailer’s “early next week” estimate.
- Full compatibility and latency performance across every DAW and external instrument were not independently verified at launch.
Bottom Line
Pocket Scion makes plant- and skin-driven synthesis accessible at a consumer-friendly price. Its combination of MIDI, OSC, and an onboard sound engine positions it as a flexible tool for experimental musicians, educators, and multimedia artists; interested buyers should watch the retailer listing for confirmed shipping dates.