Biofeedback & Music

What is Biofeedback Music?

Biofeedback music translates biological signals—skin conductance, heart rate, brainwaves—into sound. This creates a unique feedback loop where the performer's physiological state directly shapes the music.

By measuring Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), we can detect subtle changes in emotional arousal and use these to generate evolving, organic soundscapes that respond to the living organism.

The Instruo Pocket Scion

The Pocket Scion is a portable biofeedback instrument from Instruo that captures data from living organisms via sensor clips or its capacitive touch pad.

This device is available for hands-on demonstration in this course.

Key Features:

• Four custom instruments created with Tarun Nayar (Modern Biology)
• Up to five-note polyphony from biofeedback data
• TRS-MIDI and USB-MIDI output
• OSC data via desktop application
• USB or 3×AAA battery powered
• Compact: 71mm × 105mm × 17mm

How It Works

1. Sensor Input

Clip sensors to fingers or plants. The capacitive touchpad also generates biofeedback-style data from touch.

2. Signal Processing

The Pocket Scion analyses electrical fluctuations and maps them to musical parameters.

3. Sound Generation

Onboard instruments create evolving soundscapes, or output MIDI/OSC for external control.

4. Feedback Loop

The music responds to you; you respond to the music. A living conversation between biology and sound.

Live Demonstration Available

This course includes hands-on sessions with the Pocket Scion. Experience biofeedback music creation firsthand and explore the connection between your physiology and sound.

Sound, Synthesis & Hearing — An Educational Course

Featuring live demonstrations with the Instruo Pocket Scion and DIY binaural recording