How to Set Up Speakers, Monitors, Amps, and Mixers

Mixers make for great components of audio systems for providing signals that you can route out to your speakers, monitors, amps, and more. If you have a powered mixer, you can send audio signals to your speakers without anything in between. Do you want to know how to set up your speakers, monitors, amplifier, and mixer? Keep reading for the best ways to can set up your entire audio system.  

How Do I Connect My Monitors to My Mixer?

If you want to connect your monitor speakers to your mixer, here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Plug in AUX cable into the sound mixer: Use quarter-inch plugs and plug the cable into the mixer’s AUX outputs.
2. Insert the other end of the cable into your amp: Carefully insert the cable into your amp if you have passive monitor speakers. Ignore this step if you are using powered monitors.
3. Run a line from your amp to your monitor speaker: Confirm whether your monitor requires an XLR plug, easy-lock connector, or quarter-inch plug. Stick to the same output on the mixer or amp.
4. Run the amp and monitor speaker tests:  Use the right AUX dial for each input to mix the different channels. Ensure you set every AUX line for all the inputs to give the vocalist and instrumentalist the best experience.

How Do I Connect My External Amp To My Powered Mixer?

We’ve said powered mixers come with built-in amps that boost the signal from musical instruments and stereo components.

So, you won’t require a pre-amp to drive your equipment if you have one. Since powered mixers are typically moderately amplified, you can still connect them with powered amps.

To connect your external amp to your powered mixer, here are the steps you should follow:

1. Unplug the mixer and amp: Turn off your mixer and amplifier and remove the power cable from the power outlet. This helps to prevent short-circuiting your audio system while connecting these components.
2. Connect the stereo cable to the mixer: Take the plug on one end of the stereo cable and insert it into the mixer’s Audio OUT jack. Go to the left of the audio jack and insert the white plug and then to the right and insert the red plug.
3. Connect the plugs to the amp:  Locate the amp’s audio IN jacks and insert the white plug into the left one. Insert the red plug into the right jack.
4. Adjust the amp’s volume:  After turning on your audio system, set the amp’s selector knob to the audio IN jacks connecting it with the mixer, and then adjust the volume to the desired level.

To learn more, check out our article on passive vs powered mixers.

How Do You Connect 4 Speakers To A Mixer Using the Daisy Chain Option?

There are several ways you can connect four speakers to your mixer. The Daisy Chain Option is one of the best and most common ones.

If you have a stereo audio mixer, DJ controller, audio interface, or any other device that has a “Main Output” or “Master Output, you can use it.” The suitable device should also have both Left and Right output.

Please note that most audio mixers come with these features, so it’s a valuable device to use.

Here are the steps you should follow to connect your four speakers to your mixer using the Daisy Chain Option:

1. Connect the audio mixer’s left “Output” to the left speaker’s “Input.”
2. After that, connect the mixer’s right-side “Output” to the right speaker’s input.
3. Connect your cable from the first speaker’s “Output” to the second speaker’s “Input.”
4. Once that’s done, connect another cable from the third speaker’s “Output” (speaker on the far left) to the fourth speaker’s “Input” (on the far right).

How Do You Connect 4 Speakers to a Mixer Using the SUB OUT/GROUP OUT Option?

You can use this option if your audio mixer has the SUB OUT or GROUP OUT connection. If you have the bigger format mixers, it probably has one of these features. Here are the steps you need to follow if you want to connect your four speakers to your compatible mixer using this method:

1. Connect the right and left MAIN OUTPUT to your four speakers (two speakers should be on the mixer’s right and two others on the left).
2. Locate the GROUP OUT or SUB OUT connection. It’s typically located in the mixer’s top panel or at the back. Ensure you check near the main output connectors.
3. After locating the connection, connect the two speakers on the left. Turn the volume on your powered speakers to 50%.

Please note that the SUB OUT is often not active by default. So, you should activate it for each channel that you intend to use. To do this, you should press the button located under the channel’s mute button. If you can’t find the buttons, please consult your user manual.

Can You Link A Passive Speaker To An Active Speaker?

Yes. If some of the speakers you are trying to connect are passive and powered, you don’t need to worry. You can link the passive and active speakers together and use them.

To get quality audio, follow the right tips. Ensure all your cable-ing is XLR type. You should also ensure all the pieces on your chain should have the signal’s inputs and outputs.

Can You Use A Mixer As An Amplifier?

No, you can’t use mixers and amplifiers interchangeably. They play different roles. Your mixer controls the amount of audio signal transmitted from various possible inputs to your speakers.  

On the other hand, your amplifiers take the relatively weak signals that come out of your mixer and amplify them to the hundreds of watts that your loudspeakers require. In other words, you need both of them. So, if you want to set up a complete audio system that gives you the best result, follow the steps above to link them to your audio system. That’s all.

How Do I Set Up Monitor Speakers?

For a better experience, apply the following guidelines:

1. Correctly position your speakers, preferably at the same height as your ears and far apart, to form an equilateral triangle, so that when you stand between them, both your index fingers can barely touch both of the speakers in opposite directions. 
2. Find a sound source sounding like static or a waterfall (Pink Noise) since it is the industry standard calibration source of sound commonly used. 
3. Set up the pink noise in DAW by turning the speaker volume control down to silence. In the DAW, set the left and right locators to create a loop around your Pink Noise track down through to silence. 
4. Calibrate speakers individually, and begin turning the left speaker by holding the SPL meter till it shows 80dB. Please turn it off and turn on the right speaker, apparently after you are done with the left speakers. However, it is recommended to use 75dB as a reference point while testing each speaker. 
5. Mark your settings, perhaps using a tape or even maker on your volume control knob strictly at 83dB of pink noise on both speakers. To mark your “loud” and “soft” settings, go to one of your mix sessions, and set controls according to your ear while listening to some mixes. 
6. Calibrate your subwoofer, that is if you have to increase the quality of your mixes.

Summing Up              

Now you’ve got everything well-balanced and sounding perfect. You’ve connected your mixer to your amp, so others can hear the classic sound you’ve created. Right? That’s because you’ve followed the tried-and-tested steps we’ve shared here to set up your speakers, monitors, amps, and mixers. Moreover, you’ve avoided the common pitfalls like trying to use your passive mixer as the amplifier. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us.