For many, plants are more than just decorative objects. They represent living, breathing entities that offer comfort and a sense of tranquility. However, unlike pets, plants cannot communicate in a way we can easily understand. This gap in communication inspired Manuel Domke to create the Biodata MIDI Interface — a device that gives plants a unique “voice” through sound.
While plants can’t vocalize like animals, they do produce biological signals that can be converted into data. Sam Cusumano, the device’s original developer, calls this process “biodata sonification,” where a plant’s biological fluctuations are translated into musical notes. To put it simply, the concept is similar to a person wearing a blood sugar monitor. If those readings were assigned musical notes, the fluctuations throughout the day would create a musical interpretation of their health. The Biodata MIDI Interface works in a similar way, turning a plant’s signals into melodies.
The device works by measuring galvanic conductance through electrodes attached to a plant’s leaves or skin. This data is then converted into MIDI notes, which can be heard when played back. While the signal may not sound like much in real-time, when condensed and set to time, the results are a beautiful and fascinating reflection of the plant’s life cycle — growing, absorbing sunlight, and taking in water.
Domke’s device uses a custom printed circuit board (PCB) with a Microchip ATmega32u4 microcontroller. It is programmed using the Arduino IDE, allowing users to modify the code and customize their experience. The entire design, including the PCB, firmware, and code, is open-source, encouraging tinkering and experimentation.
For those eager to try the device, the Biodata MIDI Interface will soon be available through Crowd Supply. You can sign up for updates to be notified when the campaign launches. If you can’t wait, the GitHub page offers the necessary files for anyone interested in building their own version of the device.
By transforming a plant’s biological signals into sound, the Biodata MIDI Interface offers an entirely new way to experience the life of a plant — turning nature into music.
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