How to Set Up Multiple Microphones

When it comes to sound systems, sometimes one microphone is not enough. So what do you do when you need more than one microphone? It is actually quite easy to set up a sound system to handle more than one microphone at a time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sound board
• Snake cables
• Microphone splitter

1. Set up your soundboard. Make sure that you have a soundboard that is capable of enough separate channels for each microphone that you want to set up. You can still run the splitter into a single channel but you will be unable to control the sound and volume of each individual microphone. You will be limited to having the same sound and volume for all the microphones.

2. Connect your system. Run your snake cable from the back of the soundboard to your microphone splitter. Be sure to securely tape your snake cable down to the floor to be sure that no one trips over your cable which could disconnect it from the board and cause your microphones not to work.

3. Connect your microphones to the splitter box. Splitters can have anywhere from 2 to 24+ inputs for microphones and quite often will also have connections for musical instruments as well.

4. Connect all your microphones directly to your sound board. If there is a short enough distance between your sound board and where you will be using your microphones, consider plugging the microphones directly into the back of your sound board. You will only be able to connect as many microphones as you have sound board channels.

5. Consider going wireless. The easiest way to connect multiple microphones is to go wireless. The cost of wireless systems has gone down dramatically in the last few years and wireless microphones have never been such an affordable option for your sound system. Wireless microphones work by connecting a wireless box to your soundboard channel which transmits signals to and from a wireless headset or microphone. This eliminates most of the issues that come with running snake cables or multiple microphone cords.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of just taping down your snake cable, consider putting a small runner rug across the cords wherever there will be foot traffic over the cord.
• If you choose to go wireless, remember that other signals (such as cellphones) can interfere with your wireless signals. Be sure to announce to the audience to turn off all electronic devices. Not only will this help your wireless set up, but it will also prevent any distracting cell phone ringers during your presentation or performance.