How to Connect a Microphone to a Home Receiver so Sound Comes Through the Spreakers

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By FrankBullitt
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Your kids want to put on a rock and roll performance in the living room, or you just need a little extra volume speaking at your anniversary party. Here are three ways to turn your standard receiver, speakers, and microphone into an impromptu PA system; priced from not-too-expensive right down to flat-out cheap. However, keep in mind that the volume control and quality decrease when you use the less expensive options. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

RCA female to XLR female adapter--$12
RCA cable--$5
Tuner/receiver with phono (red and white) inputs
Dynamic microphone

The Moderately Priced Way ($90-$200)

Step 1

Plug one of your two microphone cables into your microphone and the other end into the input on the microphone pre-amp. Keep the pre-amp switched "off" if there is a power switch.
Step 2

RCA male to XLR female adapter

Plug the other of your two cables into the output of the preamp and into the XLR-female side of your adapter.
Step 3

RCA (red and white) inputs

Plug the RCA male side of your adapter into any one of the audio inputs on the back of the receiver, while the receiver is turned OFF. The Audio inputs will be in pairs, and are red and white RCA connections--use the white (left or mono) connection. If you have a spare "Video" or "Aux," use it, otherwise you may have to disconnect a CD or cassette player temporarily and use its input. DO NOT use any input on your receiver labeled "phono," as this has its own amp and using it risks blowing out your speakers.
Step 4

Turn the speakers AWAY from the person holding the microphone, or be sure they stand behind the speakers, otherwise you'll experience the pleasures of loud "feedback" firsthand.
Step 5

Turn down the volume on the pre-amp and the receiver and then turn both units on.
Step 6

Select the input you've plugged the microphone into (CD or Aux, for example) and turn up the volume on the receiver to a reasonable level. Then, speaking into the microphone, slowly turn up the volume on the microphone pre-amp until you hear your voice coming through the speakers at the level you want.

The Cheapish Way ($50)

Step 1

Impedance matching transformer (XLR to 1/4

Plug your microphone into the XLR end of your impedance matching transformer.
Step 2

Plug the transformer into the 1/4" female end of your 1/4" to RCA cable.
Step 3

RCA (red and white) inputs

Plug the RCA male end of your cable into any one of the audio inputs on the back of the receiver, while the receiver is turned "off." The audio inputs will be in pairs, and are red and white RCA connections--use the white (left or mono) connection. If you have a spare "Video" or "Aux," use it, otherwise you may have to disconnect a CD player or cassette player temporarily and use its input. Do not use any input on your receiver labeled "phono," as this has its own amp and using it risks blowing out your speakers.
Step 4

Turn the speakers away from the person holding the microphone, or be sure they stand behind the speakers, otherwise experience the pleasures of loud "feedback" first hand.
Step 5

Turn down the volume on the receiver and then turn the unit on.
Step 6

Select the input you've plugged the microphone into (CD or Aux, for example) and, speaking into the microphone, slowly turn up the volume on the microphone until you hear your voice coming through the speakers at the level you want.

The Cheap Way ($20)

Step 1

RCA female to XLR female adapter

Plug your microphone into the XLR end of your adapter.
Step 2

Plug the RCA end of your adapter into one end of your RCA cable.
Step 3

Plug the other end of your RCA cable into the "phono" input on the back of the receiver, while the receiver is turned OFF--use the white (left or mono) connection.
Step 4

Turn the speakers away from the person holding the microphone, or be sure they stand behind the speakers, otherwise experience the pleasures of loud "feedback" first hand.
Step 5

Turn down the volume on the receiver and then turn the unit on.
Step 6

Select the "phono" input and, speaking into the microphone, slowly turn up the volume on the microphone until you hear your voice coming through the speakers at the level you want.