How to connect a mixer to a laptop or computer, speakers, amplifier and sound card

The mixer is an electronic device for sound processing, which improves the quality and format of the audio file due to the availability of audio processing functionality. The mixing console allows you to mix channels, receive signals from different sources and provide the ability to listen to the final results of file processing in different versions. The need to use such devices in the process of recording studios or in dj-installations is obvious. As for the use of the mixer at home in the personal, and not for professional purposes, then very few people can boast of the presence in their apartments of serious audio systems with a mixing console. If the purpose of using the device is defined for you, it remains only to understand the process of connecting the equipment.

The process of connecting to a laptop

Connecting the mixer to a laptop or any other desktop computer is a painstaking procedure, requires consideration of many different factors and consists of several stages.

First of all it is necessary to study a plug of the device, through which the network connection will take place. Modern devices, usually, equipped with forks of European standard, so, you will need an adapter to work.

Choose cables and wires to connect, apparently, the most time-consuming and responsible moment in the whole procedure.

Unfortunately, via usb connection, so convenient and versatile, the system will not be configured.

You have to use more complex connection options. To connect to a computer you will need a cable with two jack connectors and one mini-jack cable to connect the sound card. Make no mistake about the length of the cord: it is better to buy wires in stock, than to come up with options to extend it or continue to use the sound system in an inconvenient location.

Cable - adapter from jack to mini-jack

The next step is to connect to the microphone. To connect it, you need to use a special connector, located on the side wall (sometimes on the back) laptop and XLR cable. Sometimes this happens, that the system does not see the device. In this case, do the following:

• go to the Windows Control Panel;
• select the item "Equipment and sound";
• click on "Realtek Manager";
• in the driver settings set the standard device;
• check the functionality of the microphone and mixing console.

XLR cable for microphone connection

Connect the speakers and amplifier

Connect the system to the speakers and to the amplifier, which are often included in the equipment, quite easy, however, accuracy and care are required in this case.

The procedure is as follows.

1. On the computer motherboard you need to find a line output with green markings - a place to connect the stereo cable connector, direct the second connector to the IN-socket of the mixer.
2. Connect "Out" on the remote control to "In" on the amplifier.
3. Then add columns to the system. Usually, they are connected to the remote control via "Out R" and "Out L" connectors.

Pay attention to resistance! This figure should be identical to the speakers and amplifier - the discrepancy will immediately affect the volume and sound quality.

Sound card connection

Choosing the right sound card will ensure full use of the functionality of mixing systems, this is especially true in cases where professional tasks need to be solved. If the card built into the device has a high degree of audio playback quality, it is quite reasonable to continue to use it in combination with a mixer, however, if the quality is not enough, will need to take care of purchasing an external usb sound card.

Any external sound card has several inputs and outputs for manipulation between the mixer and the computer.

You can connect all the elements of the system as follows:

• we connect the card and the laptop with wires ("Mini-jack" to the "out-put" slot on the map);
• download and install the driver for the card;
• then you need to connect a microphone, headphones and other accessories through the mixer connection;
• we complete the system by combining a mixer and a laptop.

The option of optimal combination of all elements of the system in each case may be different - it depends on the tasks, and from the specifics of the selected devices.

Sound card driver settings

You will not be able to record sound without installing and configuring drivers. Most often, all the necessary software is installed at the time of the initial boot of Windows, but, if the card was replaced later, you need to download the driver again.

1. There are several major manufacturers of sound cards, each of which has its own official website. About the video, by the way, only one resource, which greatly simplifies the search procedure. In our case, let it be a card of one of the most popular Realtek companies.
2. To choose the right driver, you need to know the exact name of the installed card. The AIDA64 utility can help with this. You need to download the download file and install the program, then open the aidaexe file. In the window, you should click "Computer", after the item "General information". As a result, information about the entire volume is displayed on the screen, what is installed in the laptop - from the name of the motherboard to the brand we are interested in the sound card.
   
3. We go to the site Realtek.com. He has no Russian-speaking support, but, if you need it, can be used to work with the Google Chrome site - the built-in translator will translate everything.
4. Choose "Downloads", hereinafter referred to as "High Definition Audio Codecs", put a check mark on "I accept to the above" and click "Next". Choose the type of operating system, as well as a resource, from which we will download (several of them).
5. Download the driver and run, strictly following the instructions. Reboot the computer and enjoy the sound.

Connect the mixer to the laptop and combine all the devices into a single system, which gives the maximum opportunities for processing, listening and playing audio - tasks, which is quite possible to solve yourself. On the Internet resources you can find instructions and guides to almost all options for equipment used. If the decision to use a mixer to record and process audio files in your particular case has already been made, it is not necessary to postpone process in a long box, start setting up now!