Q: What is a Zeusaphone and how does it work?
Zeusaphone is our trademarked brand of audio-modulated Dual-Resonant Solid-State Tesla Coils, or DRSSTCs. Tesla coils are high-voltage, high-frequency resonant transformers that take electricity from ordinary outlets to create dramatic branching arcs of electricity reaching up to millions of volts of electrical potential. The original Tesla coil was invented in 1891 by Nikola Tesla while developing modern AC Alternating Current technology, however, these devices were not capable of playing music. In Nikola Tesla’s original invention, the rate at which energy was pulsed through the system was determined by the time it took capacitors to store up enough voltage to break down a physical seperation of two electrodes, known as a “spark-gap.” Because there was no ability to control this rate in real time, musical application was not possible. Modern DRSSTCs are distinguished from old fashioned “spark-gap” Tesla coils in that they use cutting edge high-power transistors to control the rate at which energy is pulsed through the system, and through this capability the Zeusaphone musical controller synchronizes this pulse rate with musical MIDI signals. Thus, the sparks of the Zeusaphone vibrate at musical frequencies just like a loudspeaker, yet amplify the sound with large streaming branches of high voltage electricity. The results are spectacular!
Q: How do you play music through the Zeusaphone?
The Zeusaphone accepts two to four channels of audio information from MIDI musical files played directly from a laptop or computer through an included USB to MIDI adapter. The controller also allows mono input from a keyboard synthesizer’s MIDI output jack. We will send you a complitation of our best MIDI files to get you started, and countless thousands more are freely available online.
Q: Can it also be used like a regular Tesla coil, without playing music?
Yes, the musical controller also has a built in square-wave pulse generator that allows you to operate the coil through a range of frequencies from 100-500HZ. Current is also adjustable via pulse-width control with the simple turn of a knob.
Q: How is power and music controlled?
Spark length and power control is provided by a heavy duty variable transformer which allows you to gradually and safely increase power from zero to full power. Sparks can be made as little as a few inches on up to full system specifications. A separate electronic controller provides allows you to control the pulse width of the signal, which controls current independent of voltage, and allows for the maximum degree of efficiency and control. By keeping voltage and current controls separate, you can use the current controls on the audio controller as an independent mixer, which provides ultimate versatility and a professional degree of control.
Q: How can the Zeusaphone be safely and effectively used?
Anyone with a reasonable amount of technical ability can be instructed how to get the most from Zeusaphone Tesla coils with help of our detailed user manual and expert technical assistance. Upon receiving your system, we instruct our customers how to set up their system, maximize performance and ensure safe operation. The value of this technological expertise cannot be understated, and will be offered to our select customers for a limited period of time.
Q: What is the range of size and quality of units available?
Zeusaphone Tesla coils range in size from approximately 3 to 16+ foot long sparks. Our commercial grade Tesla coils are professionally constructed by engineers with over two decades of Tesla coil experience and use only the highest quality, fully rated heavy duty components. We do not offer typical hobbyist level devices with limited duty cycles and low expected lifetimes. We can, however, accomodate some custom requests to adjust the style or appearance of units as each Zeusaphone is hand built and made to order.
Q: What is the current pricing and availability?
Please contact us at general@zeusaphone.com for current pricing and availability.