Artist Modern Biology gained widespread attention through TikTok, where he showcased videos of using mushrooms to control a modular synthesizer. His setup includes Scion, a module from Glasgow-based Instruo, capable of converting biofeedback—such as that from plants or skin—into control voltage (CV) for other synthesizer modules. This process involves completing a circuit by touching sensors to the skin or a mushroom, allowing electrical fluctuations to trigger notes or manipulate sound filters.
Approximately a year ago, Modern Biology collaborated with Instruo to develop a new instrument, resulting in the Pocket Scion. This self-contained device is designed to convert small electrical changes from living organisms into MIDI data while producing soundscapes through one of its four built-in sound engines.
The Pocket Scion boasts advanced features, including MIDI output for controlling external instruments. It is accompanied by a companion app for Windows, macOS, and Linux, which provides tools for sound design, enabling users to create their own synthesizer patches. The app also facilitates data transmission through Open Sound Control (OSC), allowing control over various audio and visual programs, such as Max/MSP, Pure Data, and Unreal Engine, enabling users to create reactive art installations.
The Pocket Scion has attracted significant interest, with an initial batch selling out rapidly. Preorders are currently available for the next shipment expected to be released “early next week,” as noted by retailer Control Voltage. This instrument, priced at $149, offers capabilities that may exceed expectations for its cost.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/773352/pocket-scion-synth-mushroom-music