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Glasgow company Instruo has released a new instrument called the Pocket SCÍON. It is a small biofeedback synthesizer that uses plants and other organic materials as a source for sound. By connecting simple clips to a leaf, the device measures electrical signals and translates them into tones or MIDI data.
This is not the first time Instruo explored the idea. In 2018, they introduced a eurorack module with similar functions. The Pocket Scion is different because it is portable, battery-powered, and does not need a modular system. It works on its own, and it can also be connected to other gear.
The device comes with four built-in sound engines, created together with Canadian artist Tarun Nayar, known as Modern Biology. He is already recognized for using plants in his live performances. Pocket Scion also allows users to touch and play directly on its surface, or to use MIDI output for further control.
Plant biofeedback instruments have existed for years, but their use in electronic music connects to a bigger trend: new interfaces, generative sequencing, and stronger links between music and the natural world. The Pocket Scion builds on this by letting patterns come directly from living organisms. That unpredictability can bring extra texture and atmosphere, especially in ambient, experimental, and modular settings.
More information about the Pocket SCÍON can be found here!
