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How to connect DJ controllers to speakers – Complete walkthrough

How To Wire A 4 Channel Amp To Front And Rear Speakers

  DJ controllers come with lots of confusing connectors. How do I connect my DJ controllers to my speakers? What cable do I need? Everything detailed in this article.For most DJ applications, a male RCA to a female 3.5mm TRS cable (or ?” TRS) should do. It will allow you to connect the most regular plugs like headphones or computer speakers. Simply connect the RCA plug into the connector named “master” at the back of the unit.Just keep in mind that it doesn’t work for every configuration. Sometime you may need an amplifier in between your DJ controllers and the speakers. What if you want to connect to a PA speaker? To your home theater? To a Bluetooth speaker? How do you connect everything together? Keep reading to know all the answers with useful illustrations.How to connect your DJ controller to computer speakers

  First, you need a male RCA cable to a female 3.5mm cable. If you are looking for the best cable, I recommend this one. 3.5mm connectors are also sometimes mentioned as 1/8″ connectors. Then you need to identify the “master out” of your DJ controller. They are always located at the back of the unit. These pictures show where to find it on different controllers, from different price ranges and brands.

  How to connect a Pioneer DDJ-400 or DDJ-SB3 to speakers:

  How to connect a Pioneer DDJ-1000 or DDJ-SZ2 to speakers:

  How to connect a Denon Prime 4 to speakers:

  Then plug the USB cable provided with your DJ controller to the unit and to your computer. Start the computer first, then the controller, and afterward only you switch on the speakers. This is important to follow this order, to avoid damaging the speakers. When you shut everything down, do it in the opposite order: speakers, controller and finally the computer. For the same reason, only plug with everything switched off.That’s it, the setup is finished. You can now enjoy your time mixing! Make sure not to DJ in the red LEDs, that may break your speakers. I have a complete article on that topic here. For those who prefer videos, here is a nice one I have found on youtube:How to connect your DJ controller to PA speakers

  You may have noticed that some controllers have another “master output” with larger connectors. They are for “XLR” cables, you can see an XLR output on the DDJ-1000 called “master 1”. These outputs are mainly used to connect PA speakers, the loudspeakers you see in clubs or concerts.Balanced or unbalanced?

  On the Denon Prime 4 picture, you may have noticed that one output is written “balanced” and the other “unbalanced”. What is it?Thus, you can use whatever is more convenient for you as long as you have the right cables. You can even use the booth output as the master for the crowd if you feel like it! However, you need to determine if you need an amplifier or not. In such a case, you will need two sets of cables. One going from your controller to the amplifier and one from the amplifier to the passive speakers.Do you need an amplifier for DJ speakers?

  It all depends on your speakers. But let’s go through the different scenarios and determine when you need one.?In fact, having a volume knob is a good indicator that you do not need an amplifier. That is true for computer speakers, home theatres, PA speakers, etc. A volume knob=an amplifier behind. Home theatres are in fact amplifiers with many inputs and outputs + additional sound processing. So if you connect your DJ controller to your home theatre inputs, you don’t need to add an amplifier afterward!For PA speakers, you can also determine if you need an amplifier knowing if it is passive or active. Ask your retailer! A passive one needs an amplifier, an active one does not. In fact, that’s also true for other types of speakers like studio monitors. The latter are mostly active and therefore do not need an amplifier. You may also encounter the terms “powered” and “unpowered” instead of active and passive. That is exactly the same thing.Another way to determine if speakers need an amplifier is the absence of an electrical socket or plug. Indeed, amplifiers need electricity in order to work. If a speaker needs electricity, it means it has an amplifier built-in. If it does not, that means it is a passive speaker. In that case, the amplifier would need to be connected to the power grid instead.Is a DJ mixer an amplifier?

  No, it is not. If you have passive speakers you still need an amplifier between your mixer and your speakers.Do I need a mixer after my DJ controller?

  No, a DJ controller has an integrated mixer. Especially, the output level between a DJ mixer and a DJ controller is often the same. Therefore no need for a mixer on top of your controller.Can you DJ with Bluetooth speakers?

  Today the DJ controllers and mixers do not support Bluetooth. You can buy a Bluetooth transmitter like this one of course. But I would really not recommend doing so. Firstly, Bluetooth sometimes loses connection, which could already be troublesome. But especially, Bluetooth adds a delay. This added latency will drive you nuts when beatmatching. Clearly not a good idea if you want to mix two songs properly. If DJ controllers do not integrate Bluetooth functionalities that’s for a good reason!However, have a look at your Bluetooth speakers. They often have an “AUX IN” socket. If you have a 3.5mm cable, you can plug the master from the controller with the AUX IN. That will perfectly work and without latency!Do you need speakers for a DJ controller?

  The headphones output is very versatile. You can DJ at night without disturbing your neighbors! In fact, I DJ at home most of the time with my speakers off. Some DJ software even proposes to have the sound coming out directly from the computer instead of the controller. So you really don’t need speakers with your DJ controller in order to start.

  Another article that may be interesting for you is the one I made about accessories every DJ should have. It covers the cables and adapters you may need to come across various situations in your DJ life + other cool accessories!

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