The Instruo website states: “Pocket SCÍON is a portable device that captures biofeedback data sourced from contact with living organisms.”
I guess this is technically not incorrect, but to me (and to others around the internet) “biofeedback data” suggests more than “the variable resistance that occurs in living organisms”, which they also could have said.
‘Modern Biology’, the person who created the Pocket Scion with Instruo is also seemingly trying to keep a form of mysticism alive that is just not there.
This type of marketing is deceptive and not needed.
In practice, Pocket SCÍON is a random generator that generates notes and control signals based on the variable resistance that occurs in living organisms (and makes music with those signals).
Now we have that out of the way: This is a great little device!
It is fun to listen to apples and cucumbers making music with the internal samples, but the true fun begins when you hook Pocket SCÍON up to your computer or an external synth.
Pocket SCÍON generates up to 5 channels of notes and CCs as well as 6 OSC signals. So basically you can have it control 5 different sound sources
The notes are different per channel, but the CCs are very similar in shape.
The OSC signals are pulses rather than a continuous signal, which makes them less ‘plug and play’ for most music purposes. However, when you run them through PureData, Max or Reaktor you can make them into usable signals.
You don’t need the OSC signals at all to enjoy the Pocket SCÍON though. The MIDI data is more than enough for a world of creative fun.
All in all this is a fun device for nerdy creators or people who just really like to listen to soothing music while spending time with their plants, fruit and vegetables.
