How to Wire a Mono Cable to a Stereo Jack

A stereo plug is identifiable by the three part shaft.

Using a mono plug in a stereo jack can cause anything from missing sound to permanent costly damage to audio equipment. Adapters are widely available where audio equipment is sold. These adapters allow hookups such as using a mono microphone with a stereo "Mic In" jack. The resulting recording would not be stereo, but the sound would be recorded on both audio tracks and play back through both speakers. Adapters can also easily be made using a convenient length of cable and any type of plug and jack.

Things You'll Need

• Mono jack
• Stereo plug
• Shielded two conductor audio cable (two wires plus shield or ground)
• Soldering gun
• Solder
• Wire stripper
• Utility Knife
• Multimeter or conductivity tester
• Needlenose pliers (for jacks and plugs that require crimping)

Instructions

Preparation

1. Remove the covers from the plug and jack.

2. Slide the covers onto the desired length of cable. Ensure the plug end of the plug cover is facing one end of the cable, and the jack end of the jack cover is facing the other end of the cable.

3. Cut away the outer covering from the jack end of the cable using the knife. If the jack packaging does not indicate the amount of cover to remove, remove an amount equal to the length of the cover.

4. Cut away the outer covering from the plug end of the cable using the knife. If the plug packaging does not indicate the amount of cover to remove, remove an amount equal to the length of the cover.

5. Twist the loose shield wires together at the jack end of the cable. Repeat this at the plug end of the cable.

6. Strip the insulation from the inner wires at both ends of the cable. If the plug and jack packaging do not indicate how much insulation to remove, remove about 1/4 inch.

7. Twist the stripped portion of the two inner wires together at the jack end of the cable.

Test Fit

1. Attach the twisted inner wires at the jack end of the cable to the center connector for the jack. There may be a screw, crimp, or hole to attach the wire to the connector. Keep the connection loose and do not worry if there is nothing holding the wires in place.

2. Attach the shield wire to the outer connector for the jack.

3. Attach the two inner wires at the plug end of the cable to the center (or tip), and ring (or middle) connectors for the plug. It does not matter which wire goes to which connector.

4. Attach the shield wire to the outer connector for the plug.

5. Fasten the covers over the plug and the jack.

6. Confirm that appropriate amounts of wire have been stripped to allow connections but not have bare wires extending past the covers or connectors. If necessary, remove the covers and adjust the lengths of bare wire, insulation and cable cover.

Complete Cable

1. Remove the covers and firmly attach all wires.

2. Crimp any connections that require crimping.

3. Solder all wires to the connectors.

4. Test the cable with a meter or conductivity tester. Ensure the outer portions of each connecter carry current and the inner portion of the jack carries current to the tip and ring of the plug. Ensure there is no current carried between the inner and outer portions of the jack.

Tips & Warnings

• These instructions can also be used to change the type of connector at the same time as the conversion from mono to stereo. For example, a 1/4 jack can be used at one end of the cable and a 1/8 stereo plug can be used at the other end.

• More expensive connectors and cable will be easier to work with and last longer.

• A short circuit between the outer and inner connectors or between the shield and the inner wires can permanently damage audio equipment. Ensure only enough wire is bare to make connections and test the cable with a meter or conductivity tester before using.

References

• Shavano Music Online: Making Ring - Tip Cables