Central to Modern Biology’s equipment is a device known as Scion, crafted by the Glasgow company Instruo. The Scion converts biofeedback, whether originating from houseplants or human skin, into CV (control voltage) to operate other synth modules within a broader system. By linking two sensors to your hand or a mushroom, a circuit is completed, enabling the electrical variations within that circuit to trigger different notes or alter a filter’s cutoff, among other effects.

A little more than a year ago, he collaborated with Instruo to create something new. This partnership produced the Pocket Scion, a budget-friendly instrument that autonomously converts subtle electrical changes from living things into MIDI data, capable of crafting soundscapes using any of the four integrated sound engines.

The Pocket Scion is equipped with several advanced features, such as MIDI output for commanding external instruments. There is also a companion app compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux that reveals sound design tools for crafting personal synth patches and can transmit data via Open Sound Control (OSC), allowing interaction with a variety of audio and visual programs like Max/MSP, Pure Data, and Unreal Engine for generating visualizations or intricate responsive art setups. Its strength exceeds expectations considering its $149 cost.

The initial batch of Pocket Scions quickly sold out. However, preorders are available for the upcoming shipment expected to dispatch “early next week,” according to the retailer Control Voltage.