How to Connect Speakers to a DJ Machine

A DJ machine or mixing board is just one part of a comprehensive network of tools that the DJ uses to mix sounds. A sound amplifier magnifies the signals coming from the DJ machine and passes them to the speakers. To connect speakers to a DJ machine, you must first connect them to the amplifier.

Things You'll Need

• Speaker cable

Instructions

1. Make sure your system is switched off and that the gains are all down.

2. Plug one end of the speaker cord into the amplifier. Many amplifiers use a two-prong banana plug that has a notch in one side. This notch denotes negative polarity and goes into the black-colored hole in the amp connection. The unnotched (i.e., positive) polarity goes into the red portion.

3. Make sure you've plugged your speaker cord into the same output channel number to which the DJ machine is connected via the input channel. Thus, if you've connected the DJ machine to input channel 1 on the amp, the speaker must be connected to output channel 1.

4. Plug the other end of the speaker cable into the speaker itself. If you're using a Speakon connector, there will be both a large plastic ridge and a small plastic ridge on the connector. Line these up with the connector receptor in the speaker, push the connector in and then twist clockwise to lock. It should snap into place. To remove the cable, twist counterclockwise and simultaneiously pull on the plug.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're using a speaker system that connects via the XLR system, you need only line up the holes in the plug with the tabs in the receptor connection and press firmly. To remove it, squeeze the tabs on the plug as you pull.