The Portable Biofeedback Synth: Unboxing & Tutorial of the Pocket Scion

Can plants actually play synthesizers? Today, I am exploring the Pocket Scion by Instruō—a portable biofeedback instrument that translates the natural electricity of living things into music. In this video, I’ll take you from the initial unboxing to a full performance setup. I will demonstrate the device’s four internal sound engines, using both its touch-capacitive interface and the sensors (plugged in to a portato!). Finally, stick around until the end for a detailed look at the companion App, where we unlock advanced features like MIDI scaling, channel routing, and OSC (Open Sound Control) data visualization. Whether you are a modular synth veteran or just curious about bio-sonification, this guide covers everything you need to get started. -- IN THIS VIDEO: 00:00 - Intro 00:34 - Device overview 01:31 - First sound (it’s magical!) 02:23 - Exploring the main controls (volume, sensitivity) 03:19 - Instrument 2 04:03 - Instrument 3 04:34 - Instrument 4 04:51 - More controls (transpose, number of voices) 06:03 - How to keep track (look at the front plate!) 06:59 - Trying the sensors (potato time!) 07:47 - Let’s play! (performance) 16:05 - A look at the App 16:52 - Per-instrument adjustments (scales, ratcheting) 17:34 - MIDI modes (single vs. multi channel) 17:54 - Accessing the data directly (OSC) 18:15 - Per-voice adjustments (octave range/offset, MIDI channel, CC #) 18:58 - “Easter egg” (raw data mode) 19:25 - Final thoughts -- FEATURED GEAR: • Instruō Pocket Scion: https://www.instruomodular.com/produc... ‪@instruo‬ ABOUT THE POCKET SCION: The Pocket Scion is a collaboration between Instruō and Modern Biology. It builds on the legacy of the original Scion Eurorack module but in a standalone, battery-powered form factor. It features 5-note polyphony, USB and TRS MIDI out, and fully adjustable sensitivity to accommodate different "bio-sources." DISCLAIMER: I purchased this device on my own funds, and I have no affiliation whatsoever with the manufacturer of this product. The opinions expressed here are solely mine.