Difference in devices

Getting started

TouchMe

Playtron

New devices

Synths & Software

Troubleshooting

Playtronica offers three distinct MIDI-controllers that all use conductivity to make sound—but each works in a unique way. This guide helps you pick the one that fits your creative setup.

At a glance

• TouchMe: Your body or object + one other touch point → pitch/intensity control.
• Playtron: Up to 16 discrete objects → on/off triggers mapped to sounds.
• Biotron: Plants or conductive natural media → evolving, generative MIDI control.

🧩 The Core Idea

All three controllers detect tiny electrical changes — from your skin, objects, or even plants — and convert them into MIDI signals that any music app or synthesizer can use.

The difference lies in what they sense, how they react, and what kind of sound control they give you.

Conductivity & how it works

All three devices work by completing an electrical loop: when the loop is closed, the device detects the signal and sends MIDI to your computer or hardware.

• TouchMe uses a simple loop between two pads or two points of skin.
• Playtron uses one or more objects plus a dedicated “ground” pin(s) to complete the loop.
• Biotron uses a plant (or other natural conductor) and your interaction (or environmental change) as the loop.

Each device varies in how it interprets the loop and what kind of MIDI signal it sends.

Device by device: what makes them different

🌿 Biotron — Listen to Nature

Concept

Biotron takes Playtronica’s idea to the next level — instead of touching objects, you connect to a living plant.

It reads the plant’s bio-electrical fluctuations and translates them into MIDI.

Every leaf, movement, and environmental change becomes part of the music.

How it plays

• Connect electrodes to a plant leaf or stem
• The plant’s own reactions create continuous MIDI control (not simple triggers)
• Two channels: plant sensor + light sensor
• Includes calibration and “autoplay” modes
• Can be fully customized through open-source firmware (GitHub → Playtronica/Biotron-firmware)

Perfect for

• Sound artists and installation designers
• Generative/ambient music creators
• Science + art educators exploring biofeedback

Common questions answered

• 🌱 Does it really work with any plant? — Yes, but watered, healthy plants respond best.
• 🎚️ Do I have control? — Yes! You can influence sound by touching, moving near, or shining light.
• 🧩 Is it plug-and-play? — Yes, though calibration is recommended for best results.
• 👩‍💻 Can I hack or customize it? — Absolutely — it’s open-source and supports firmware updates.

Real user quote

“Biotron turns your ficus into a synthesizer. It’s meditative, a bit magical — and totally unique.” —

Synthtopia review

🍎 Playtron — Turn Anything into an Instrumen

Concept

Playtron connects to up to 16 conductive objects using alligator clips. When you touch one of them while holding the ground pin, it sends a MIDI note.

Think of it as a keyboard made of fruits, plants, and metal spoons — playful, collective, and endlessly customizable.

How it plays

• 16 inputs + 2 ground pins
• Each object = one unique note or trigger
• Great for kids, workshops, and group installations
• Works with standard USB-MIDI setups
• Durable, plug-and-play design

Perfect for

• Interactive art installations
• Education and workshops with groups
• Sound experiments and playful prototypes

Common questions answered

• 🍌 Do I need conductive materials? — Yes. Use fruit, metal, or conductive tape.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Can multiple people play together? — Definitely. Each can touch different objects.
• 🎛️ Does it have pressure sensitivity? — No, it’s an on/off trigger — perfect for rhythm or notes, not expression.
• 🧠 Do I need musical knowledge? — No. It’s extremely intuitive.

✋ TouchMe — Feel the Music

Concept

TouchMe measures how much electricity passes between two conductive points — usually your fingers, another person, water, metal, or even fruit. The more contact or pressure, the higher the pitch or intensity.

It’s a musical theremin of touch — expressive, emotional, and surprisingly intuitive.

How it plays

• 2 gold pads = 2 touch points forming a loop
• The sound changes continuously depending on how strong and how big the contact is
• Works out of the box with free web synths or DAWs (Ableton, GarageBand, etc.)
• USB-MIDI connection, no drivers needed

Perfect for

• Artists and performers who love expressive gestures
• Workshops exploring human connection and sound
• Small interactive installations or therapy sessions

Common questions answered

• 🧍‍♂️ Can one person play it alone? — Yes! Hold both pads, or connect one pad to a conductive object.
• 🎹 Can I change the scale or note range? — Yes, via built-in buttons or MIDI settings.
• 💡 Do I need coding skills? — Not at all. Plug, touch, and play.

🛠️ Compatibility & Setup

All three devices work via USB-MIDI on:

• macOS, Windows, iPad (via adapter), and Android
• Web synthesizers in our collection https://synth.playtronica.com/
• DAWs like Ableton Live, GarageBand, Logic, Bitwig
• Hardware synths

⚠️ You’ll need conductive materials — water, metal, fruit, or plants.

Biotron requires clips and electrodes (make sure you add them to cart).

💡 Quick Recommendation

• Pick TouchMe if you love emotional, human touch-based play.
• Pick Playtron if you want to make anything into an instrument.
• Pick Biotron if you dream of hearing the music of plants and light.