Hook up a microphone. Connect the female end of an XLR cable to the microphone.
Connect the other end of the XLR cable to the "XLR Input" socket on a mixer. A mixer permits you to adjust the volume of the microphone in relation to any other instruments being fed into the same sound system.
Connect the mixer to a pair of speakers. Connect one 1/4-inch jack cable to the "Speaker Out (L)" jack on the rear of the mixer. Connect a second cable to the "Speaker Out (R)" jack.
Connect the cables to the right and left speaker respectively. If the speakers are passive rather than active, connect the mixer to an amplifier and the amplifier to the speakers. Active speakers have built-in amplifiers.
Turn down the "Master Volume" dial to zero. This protects you from any unwanted noise. Faulty cables and loose connections can cause buzzing and squealing sounds. Turning the dial to zero before turning on the mixer also prevents accidental sounds from being amplified.
Turn on the mixer.
Slide the "Master Volume" dial up to approximately 10 percent.
Sing into the microphone and slide up the "Gain" dial on the mixer channel to which your microphone is connected. Each channel has a "Gain" dial that controls the output level of that channel, relative to the master output.
Observe the volume units, or "VU" meter display. If it flashes, the signal is too strong, making it prone to feedback and distortion. Lower the gain. Aim for a level where the gain is as high as possible before the volume meter flashes.
Turn the equalization dials to the center. These are the dials that govern the prominence of certain frequency bands in the amplified output. Typically there are three, marked "Low" or "Bass," "Mid" or "Middle" and "High," "Hi" or "Treble." Setting them to the center establishes a neutral starting point from which to tweak the tone.
Tweak the equalization dials while singing or talking into the microphone. Aim for a frequency blend that eliminates feedback, "boom" and muddiness while enhancing the natural tone of your voice. The right blend depends on the natural qualities of your voice. Make small adjustments to each dial and listen to how they affect the sound of your voice. If feedback occurs, reduce the level of the "Mid" and "High" dials until it recedes.