Compatible Hardware

If your coil accepts audio input, it works

The short answer

Tesla Coil Audio Driver works with any musical Tesla coil that accepts audio input. That includes Bluetooth mini coils, DRSSTC kits with interrupter inputs, SSTCs, and plasma speakers. If you can send audio to it from a phone or laptop, the app can drive it.

Compatible coil types

Bluetooth Mini Tesla Coils

The most common consumer Tesla coils. These small kits (typically 10-20cm tall) have a built-in Bluetooth audio receiver on the driver board. They show up on your phone like a regular Bluetooth speaker.

Connection:Bluetooth audio

Status:Fully compatible

Setup:Pair via Bluetooth, open the app, hit play. No cables needed.

Examples:Sold under dozens of brand names on Amazon, AliExpress, and Tindie. Common Bluetooth module names: BT-Tesla, JDY-64A, BT-Audio.

Best for:Beginners, desktop demos, gifts

DRSSTC (Dual Resonant Solid State Tesla Coil)

The serious builder's coil. DRSSTCs produce large, powerful arcs and accept an external interrupter signal. Most DRSSTC interrupters have a 3.5mm or BNC audio input.

Connection:3.5mm line-in or BNC to interrupter

Status:Fully compatible

Setup:Connect your phone or laptop headphone output to the interrupter's audio input. Use the app's interrupt mode settings to match your coil's trigger type (edge or level).

Examples:Kits from Eastern Voltage Research (Plasmasonic), Loneoceans Labs, Kaizer Power Electronics. Many one-off builds from the DRSSTC community.

Best for:Experienced builders, performances, large arc displays

SSTC (Solid State Tesla Coil)

Similar to DRSSTC but with a simpler resonant circuit. SSTCs that accept audio interrupter input work the same way as DRSSTCs from the app's perspective.

Connection:3.5mm line-in to interrupter

Status:Fully compatible

Setup:Same as DRSSTC. Connect audio output to the interrupter input. Check your coil's documentation for input voltage levels.

Examples:Kavionic, various DIY builds, some educational kits.

Best for:Mid-range builds, education, maker projects

Plasma Speakers / Plasma Tweeters

Not technically Tesla coils, but they work on the same principle. A small arc ionises air and the modulated plasma reproduces audio. Many plasma speakers accept line-in audio directly.

Connection:3.5mm line-in

Status:Compatible

Setup:Plug in via aux cable. The app's tone generator and keyboard work well for testing. For music playback, the player and sequencer both produce clean signals.

Examples:Various DIY kits on Amazon and AliExpress. Often sold as "plasma speaker kit" or "singing arc" kits.

Best for:Audio experiments, desktop novelty, education

Connection methods

📶Bluetooth Audio

Wireless connection via your phone or laptop's Bluetooth. Most consumer Tesla coils use this. The app includes a calibration tool to compensate for Bluetooth latency.

Typical latency: 50-200ms (compensated by calibration)

🔌3.5mm Aux Cable

Direct wired connection from your device's headphone jack to the coil's audio input. Lowest latency, most reliable for live performance.

Typical latency: <10ms

🎛️USB Audio Interface

For advanced setups. Route the app's audio through a USB audio interface to your interrupter. Useful when you need precise volume control or are running multiple coils.

Typical latency: <5ms

What does not work

Spark gap Tesla coils (the classic Nikola Tesla design). These are not electronically controlled and cannot accept audio signals.
MIDI-only interrupters without audio input. Some DRSSTC interrupters only accept MIDI over USB or DIN. The app currently generates audio signals, not MIDI. MIDI output is on the roadmap.
Coils without any external input. Some decorative Tesla coils run a fixed pattern with no way to send them a signal. If there is no audio input or Bluetooth, the app cannot control it.

Not sure if your coil is compatible?

The easiest test: can you pair it with your phone via Bluetooth, or plug in an aux cable and hear audio through the arcs? If yes, the app will work. If you are not sure, check your coil's product listing or manual for mentions of "Bluetooth audio," "audio input," "interrupter input," or "line-in."

You can also try the app without a coil first. Everything plays through your phone or laptop speaker so you can hear exactly what signal the app produces before connecting real hardware.

Next steps

Setup guide: How to get music working on your Bluetooth Tesla coil

Technical guide: Interrupt mode and edge vs level triggering

Calibrate your connection for tighter timing over Bluetooth

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