How to Hook an MP3 Player to a Sound System

Some sound systems include built-in docks for MP3 players.

MP3 players have become one of the most popular ways to listen to music. Many players can hold several thousand songs and some could even play video footage. You can hook up your MP3 player unit to a sound system with the help of RCA audio cables. The player connects through the auxiliary input on a sound mixer or receiver.

Things You'll Need

• RCA audio cables, 1/8 inch

Instructions

1. Connect the headphone cable into your MP3 player's headphone jack. The RCA cable has a single black end on it. Insert this black end into the headphone jack of your MP3 player.

2. Connect the other ends of the RCA cable to "Aux IN" jacks on a sound mixer or receiver. Your sound system may use either a sound mixing board or stereo receiver. In either case, you must look for the RCA input jacks. Look for a red and white input jack labeled "Aux IN." Insert the white cable end into the white jack and the red cable to the red jack.

3. Turn on your MP3 player and sound system by pressing the "Power" button and wait for both devices to power up.

4. Play audio through your MP3 player and turn up the volume on your sound system.

   Select an audio track on your MP3 player and press the "Play" button on the device. Turn up the "Master Volume" knob on your sound receiver or mixer and you'll hear audio playing through the sound system.

References

• "The Guardian": Connecting Speakers to an MP3 player
• Apple: iPod Classic User Guide
• CNET Reviews: MP3 Players That Play Video