Microphone converts sound to electrical signals at the transmitting end, while a speaker converts the electrical signals to sound waves at the receiving end. Usually, an audio console such as a mixer is needed between the two devices.
However, are you wondering if you can save a few bucks on a mixing console and can directly connect a microphone to a speaker? Well, stick around. We did the hard work and mentioned clear steps for connecting a microphone with a speaker.
Can I Connect a Microphone to a Speaker?
If your speaker has an XLR input, and your microphone has an XLR output which most do, you can plug in your speaker to your microphone. But the speaker needs to be a powered one.
The good news is that the most recent speakers are self-powered, which is what you need to connect your microphone.
Usually, you’ll see a label on the speaker that says “Powered speaker” next to the brand name. However, if you can’t find the label, the quick way to check is to look for a power cable going into the speaker.
Also, if you see a fan on the speaker, you’ll know it’s a powered speaker because it has a built-in amplifier that needs cooling.
Now, a powered speaker is not the only thing you need. You need to look in the back of your speaker and confirm that you can switch to mic-level.
A mixing console sends all the information at a line level, which is louder. So if you want to use a Mic, you should be able to use Mic-level so that the speaker knows to add a preamp to get the microphone up to a volume that the built-in amplifier needs to amplify the microphone sound.
Connecting Microphone to a Speaker
Plugging a microphone into a speaker is relatively easy given that you have a powered speaker and mic-level setting on the back of it. Our step-by-step instructions will take you through the entire process of doing the whole task quickly and efficiently.
We’ll also discuss using a powered mixer to boost the signals of a microphone to the speaker level. So without keeping you waiting any longer, here are the three methods that explain how to connect a microphone to a speaker.
Method #1: Connecting Microphone With a Built-In Amp Speaker
- Grab the XLR cable and plug its one end into the microphone.
- Locate the Input switch on the speaker and connect the other of the XLR cable to it.
- Now toggle the switch on the back of the speaker to mic-level.
- Finally, use the Volume knob to adjust the sound according to your requirement.
Plugging a microphone directly into a speaker often doesn’t work. One of the reasons is that if the loudspeakers are passive, they do not have amplifiers. Moreover, even the active loudspeakers usually require power to function.
Method #2: Connecting Microphone With a Speaker With External Amplifier
- Connect your speaker to a Power Amplifier.
- Attach one end of the RCA connector or a 1/4 inch jack into the “speaker out” on the amplifier.
- Connect both ends of the cable to the speaker input connector.
- Turn on the amplifier and mic.
- Adjust amplifier sound settings using the mic input sensitivity switch on your amp or configure it manually.
You must connect the compatible cables and connectors with your amplifier and speaker. Read the user manual carefully and go through the online reviews before throwing your money away on incompatible or cheap alternatives.
Method #3: Connecting Bt Microphone to a Bt Speaker
Bluetooth microphones do not require an amplifier to connect to a Bluetooth speaker.
They have powered batteries and can function without a supply. However, you can not directly link a Bluetooth microphone to a Bluetooth speaker. To connect them, follow these steps.
- Use a primary device like a mobile phone or a PC to connect the two devices.
- Download an App called ‘Audacity’ on your PC.
- The App will allow your Bluetooth Microphone and Bluetooth Speaker to pair up with each other, and you can start using it without any issue.
Using a Powered Mixer
As mentioned earlier, you can connect a microphone directly to your speaker. However, doing so may result in losing voice control abilities. In this case, you can use a powered mixer.
A power mixer can amplify the signal at input and output levels. It does so by providing ample gains to boost a mic-level input. Afterward, you can send the boosted signal to the speaker level output.
A mic level signal is between 1 to 100 millivolts AC, while line level is 1 Volt and speaker level is 1-Volt to 100-Volts. So, a power mixer can be a handy tool for your output sound requirements.
Summary
In this guide about connecting a microphone to a speaker, we have discussed directly connecting a built-in amplifier or external amplifier speaker to your microphone and how a Bluetooth microphone can be connected to a Bluetooth Speaker.
We’ve also discussed using a powered mixer to boost the signal of a microphone. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful for you, and now you can easily connect the two devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can easily connect your Bluetooth microphone to your PC with these steps.
1) Right-click the Sound icon on the desktop.
2) Select ‘Open Sound Settings’ from the menu displayed.
3) A drop-down menu in the Input Section will display your input device.
4) Click on your Bluetooth Microphone to connect it to your computer.
You can connect your Smart TV and microphone using a wireless and wired connection. For a wireless connection, Bluetooth can be used. Turn Bluetooth ‘On’ on your microphone and TV and pair both devices to connect.
Meanwhile, for a wired connection, your microphone must be equipped with an RCA connector to connect it to your Smart TV with an RCA-supported cable.
