Biotron

1.1 Connect two small contacts on Biotron, to turn it into a USB memory drive. You can use a small cable, hairpin, and paper clip for it.

1.2. Go to https://playtronica.github.io/WebMidiVue/#/biotron and click on the blue button “Update firmware.”

1.3 File download would start, drag and drop the file to Bitoron drive. Done ✅ Now, you can disconnect the pins.

2. Connect to synth and listen to sounds 🔊 🪴

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

Important advice

• Move away (at least 1 meter) from the plant and device for 30 seconds after connection. 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 blinks green, 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

3. Experiment with web settings

At https://playtronica.github.io/WebMidiVue/#/biotron 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

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

Videos of the device being used