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DIY DJ Speakers

DJs use a sophisticated system of audio routing and mixing to create seamless transitions in their shows. Recent innovations in audio technology have automated many vital elements of a DJ's craft. Techniques such as beat matching and pitch shifting can now be controlled using computer software and digital mixing consoles. Although these elements of a DJ's performance are managed by the computer, the performing DJ must still blend melodic material and track volume levels using his mixer. By following a few simple steps, you can quickly configure your speakers for use with a DJ mixing console.

Things You'll Need

  • Stereo cables
  • Instrument cables
  • Mixing board
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect your speakers to your mixing board using your instrument or stereo cables. Almost all mixing consoles will include the necessary output ports within the interface of the mixing board. Stereo cables will plug into red and white ports on the mixer, and instrument cables will plug into large single input jacks. Either of these connection methods will allow you to control audio panning and volumes during your mix. If you are using PA speakers for your DJ show, they will most likely connect to the mixer using instrument cables. Stereo speakers almost always connect to receivers or mixers using stereo cables.

    • 2

      Test your speaker connections by powering on your mixing board and playing audio through the input ports on the mixer. The signals output by your instruments or music players should play out of your speaker units.

    • 3

      Place any volume controls on your speakers at a mid-level setting in order to avoid blowing out your speaker units due to high volume settings on your mixer. All of your volume controls should be set at average levels before you begin playing music through your mixing board.

    • 4

      Control the volume level of your speakers using the master volume fader on the mixing board. Although the volume of individual audio tracks can be adjusted using the volume faders assigned to individual audio channels on the mixer, the overall volume level of your mix is adjusted using the master control.

    • 5

      Control the position of your audio signal within your speakers' stereo field using the pan knobs on your mixing board. Depending on the position of your pan knobs, the signals output through your mixer can be positioned anywhere from the extreme left "side" of your speakers to the far right "side." This feature becomes especially useful when blending distinctively different tracks: vocals from one track can be placed exclusively in the right side of the stereo field while bass and rhythm tracks from a second track can slowly move from the left side of the stereo field into the center of the mix.

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