Getting started

TouchMe

Playtron

New devices

Synths & Software

Troubleshooting

1. Update firmware for the first time 👩🏼‍💻

First, you need to update your firmware to the latest version to hear the most recent compositions we’ve created for you. See the steps below and the additional video explanation, relevant only during first update. You can use patches instead of alligator clips, they act the same.

1.1 (Relevant only on first update) Connect two small contacts (you can use a paper-clip instead of a cable) on Biotron, to turn it into a USB memory drive named RPI-RP2. You can use a small cable, hairpin, and paper clip for it.

Here is the exact order: connect the pins, plug in the usb, release the pins, the device is shown as a drive on your computer.

1.2. Go to https://settings.playtronica.com/#/biotron and click on the blue button “Update firmware.” Make sure you’re using Google Chrome browser!

1.3 File download would start, drag and drop the file to “RPI-RP2” drive, it will disconnect itself… Done ✅ Now, you can re-connect the device and it will be recognized as a MIDI device Biotron in your DAW or synth! It would not be seen as a drive anymore, only as a MIDI device.

Quickstart FAQ

2. Connect to synth and listen to sounds 🔊 🪴

And here is our user’s explanation:

Biotron is a MIDI device with two MIDI channels (Ch1, Ch2) —one from the ‘plant sensor’ and another from a ‘light sensor’. You can connect it to any desktop DAW or iOS music app that supports MIDI or online synth from https://synth.playtronica.com/ using Chrome.

Important advice

• Move away (at least 1 meter) from the plant and device for 30 seconds after connection, you would see green light blinking ❇️ and the device would give out 2 high pitched notes.. The device needs to be calibrated. If you don’t do that, the musical range of the device will be limited. As soon as the device slowly pulsates 🟢 with green light, the calibration is done.
• Make sure cables do not cross each other
• Try to place your computer, phone, and other appliances as far as possible from Bitron and its contacts

Choosing the plant and connection

🔄 Update: Button Logic (November 2025)

We’ve released a new Biotron firmware update with improved button logic and an additional control option.

🧠 General button behavior

1. Fingerprint button — cycles through the default presets installed on our website.

Your custom preset will not return after cycling through all presets.

2. Mitochondria buttons — currently don’t change parameters.

Their earlier function was temporary and experimental.

🔇 New: Mute Button Mode

We’ve added a Mute button setting that can now be enabled or disabled in your Biotron app interface.

• The mute button is located on the top (upper mitochondria, near the USB port).
• When the button is ON (1) — all tracks are muted.
• When the button is OFF (0) — the tracks that the user previously configured are restored.

You can control this option using the new toggle in the app:

Settings → Buttons Mode → Mute button state

3. Experiment with web settings

At https://settings.playtronica.com/ you can change settings of the device. Make sure you ‘send’ them to the device using blue button.

Make sure you ask as questions about these settings, we’ll update this manual!

Upload our presets

FAQ Settings

4. Play!

• move your hands around the pant
• experiment with shadow and light around the device
• leave the plant alone for half an hour, hear it play by itself (our favourite)

Common issues

FAQ

Troubleshooting

Opensource

The firmware is open on GitHub, feel free to edit and make sure you contact us if you have any questions regarding the code - Embed GitHub

🎛️ MIDI Ports and Channels

Biotron communicates via one USB-MIDI port named “Biotron”.

All MIDI communication — both sensor output and control input — goes through this port.

🔌 Output (from Biotron to your software)

By default Biotron sends MIDI messages from its sensors as follows, but you can change them in web settings or by SysEx commands:

🎚️ Input (from software to Biotron)

Biotron can also receive MIDI messages via the same port:

• Note On / Off — used for testing and feedback.
• Control Change (CC) — reserved for configuration messages.
• SysEx — used for firmware updates and advanced setup.

A detailed map of incoming and outgoing MIDI messages is available on our Github.

Videos from our users

Do you want to give feedback on our devices or tutorials? Do it here. We love reading your ideas and changing our products for the better. Join our Facebook group too.