How to Install a Microphone Onto a Surround Sound System

By converting a microphone cable to an RCA cable, you can use a microphone through your home surround-sound system.

Surround-sound systems are an excellent means of expanding your home-entertainment center. By connecting TVs, DVD players, CD players, video game consoles and other devices to your surround-sound amplifier, you can experience sound quality that far surpasses that of your TV's speakers. Surround-sound amplifiers feature myriad audio connection ports that, depending on the make and model of the amplifier, can allow you to connect numerous other peripheral devices to make your surround system even more integrated and convenient. With a few minor purchases and a small time investment, you can connect a microphone to your surround system in no time.

Things You'll Need

• XLR-to-RCA patch cable or 1/4-inch-to-RCA patch cable or 1/8-inch-to-RCA patch cable

Instructions

1. 

   Some microphones have an XLR connection like this.

   Purchase a patch cable for connecting the microphone. The exact type of cable you will need depends on the microphone being used. If the microphone has an XLR connection, you will need to buy an XLR-to-RCA patch cable. For microphones with 1/4-inch instrument cable connection, purchase a 1/4-inch-to-RCA patch cable. Finally, microphones with a 1/8-inch headphone jack connection will need to be connected via an 1/8-inch-to-RCA patch cable. These patch cables can be purchased at most electronics or musical equipment store. Tell the salesperson exactly which type of patch cable you require and specify that you need a stereo rather than a mono patch cable.

2. Attach the patch cable from the microphone output to an RCA input connection on the surround sound system amplifier. Obviously, the RCA side of the patch cable will attach to the RCA audio input on the amplifier and the other side will attach to the output connection on the microphone.

3. Tune the receiver to the input you used in order to test the connection. For instance, if the RCA connection you used is labeled "Audio 3," look for a button on the surround-system amplifier labeled "Audio 3" or a button labeled "Input" or "Input Select" and press it repeatedly until the amplifier is set to the Audio 3 input. Speak into the microphone to see whether you connected the two properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Microphones that require "phantom power" will not be able to be used in this way, as they require an electrical current over the audio connection in order to give any signal. Consult the documentation that came with the microphone to see whether it requires phantom power.