11 Ways To Connect DJ Controller to Speakers

This tutorial shows you 11 different ways to connect your DJ Controller to speakers. The solution you need will depend on the DJ equipment you’re using. We cover everything that you need to know if your DJ controller has the following outputs:

• RCA
• 1/4″
• XLR

In terms of speakers, everything that we show you will work for:

• Powered Studio Monitors
• Powered Speakers For Live Events

Balanced VS Unbalanced Cables

Before we show you what cables to use, we need to cover some theory. There are two types of audio cables: Balanced and unbalanced.

Unbalanced Audio Cables For DJs

Unbalanced cables should not be run longer than 15ft (4m). If you run cables longer than this, you may notice static, buzzing, hissing, and in extreme cases, your cables can even pick up radio stations.

Two examples of unbalanced cables are:

• RCA Cable
• 1/4″ TS Cable

Balanced Audio Cables for DJs

Balanced cables can theoretically run up to 1000ft (300m) without any noise or audio degradation.

Balanced cables are considered to be more professional and of higher quality.

Two examples of balanced audio cables are:

• 1/4″ TRS Cable
• XLR Cable

Connect DJ Controller With RCA Outputs To Speakers

If your DJ Controller has RCA outputs, the three options below will work for you, depending on the input that you need for your speaker.

Since your RCA output is unbalanced, all of these cables are unbalanced, and you should avoid running them longer than 10-15ft (3-5M) if possible.

RCA connectors are very popular with entry-level DJ controllers, you need to select the right cable depending on what input you have on your speaker.

• RCA Cable (Unbalanced): https://currentprice.io/rca_cable
• RCA To 1/4″ TS Cable (Unbalanced): https://currentprice.io/ts_rca
• RCA To XLR Cable (Unbalanced): https://currentprice.io/rca_xlr

Connect DJ Controller With 1/4″ Outputs To Speakers

If your DJ Controller has 1/4″ outputs, the three options below will work for you, depending on the input that you need for your speaker.

Two of these options are balanced and one of these options is unbalanced. If your speaker has a 1/4″ or XLR input, you will have higher quality and reliability by connecting to these inputs rather than RCA.

If you must connect to an RCA input of a speaker, don’t use a cable longer than 15ft since the RCA jack will make your cable unbalanced.

• 1/4″ To RCA Cable (Unbalanced): https://currentprice.io/ts_rca
• 1/4″ To 1/4″ Cable (Balanced): https://currentprice.io/trs_cable
• 1/4″ To XLR Cable (Balanced): https://currentprice.io/trs_xlr

Connect DJ Controller With XLR Outputs To Speakers

If your DJ Controller has XLR outputs, the three options below will work for you, depending on the input that you need for your speaker.

If you must connect your XLR outputs to RCA, keep the cable shorter than 15ft. This cable would be unbalanced and will likely degrade your audio quality.

If you can connect to 1/4″ or XLR inputs on your speaker, you can theoretically run up to 1000ft without noise or audio degradation.

We think an XLR cable is the best option since they are always available on-site, and you can extend the cable easily without needing a coupler or adapter.

• XLR To RCA Cable (Unbalanced): https://currentprice.io/xlr_rca
• XLR To 1/4″ Cable (Balanced): https://currentprice.io/xlr_trs
• XLR Cable (Balanced): https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable

Use DI Box With DJ Controller

What happens if you need to balance your unbalanced cable? Then it would be best if you had a DI box. A DI Box has a transformer inside that can balance your cable and allow you to run a long distance without worrying about noise, distortion, or audio degradation.

If you connect your DJ Controller to a DI Box and run directly to your speakers, you will need to set your speakers to “Mic” level because a DI box will lower the line level outputs of your audio mixer to be “mic level”.

If you connect your DI box to an audio mixer, you should plug it into an XLR mic input.

Out of the four options below, we recommend the Radial Pro AV2 because it has RCA and 1/4″ inputs to give you maximum connectivity.

• Radial Pro AV2: https://currentprice.io/pro_av2
• Radial Pro D2: https://currentprice.io/radial_prod2
• Radial J48: https://currentprice.io/radial_j48
• Radial Trim Two: https://currentprice.io/radial_trim_two

Use Audio Mixer With DJ Controller

If you’re looking for the best result possible, we recommend connecting your DJ controller to an audio mixer. An audio mixer has many benefits:

• High-Quality Preamp: No more hiss coming from your microphones.
• Phantom Power: So you can connect condenser microphones.
• FX Engine: If you have a live vocalist at your event, you can add reverb, etc.
• Line Level Inputs: You can connect your DJ controller directly to the audio mixer without needing a DI Box
• XLR Outputs: The easiest to use at a live event when using powered speakers.
• More Control: They don’t call it an “Audio Mixer” for nothing

We recommend these two audio mixers for DJs

• Mackie ProFX6v3: https://currentprice.io/profx6v3
• Yamaha MG10XU: https://currentprice.io/mg10xu

Related Post: How To Connect DJ Controller to Audio Mixer

How To Connect DJ Controller To Speakers

DJ Controller to Speakers FAQ

Topics: Connect DJ Controller to Speakers

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 0:44 – Video Setup
• 1:00 – Price & Specs
• 1:15 – Booth vs Main Outputs
• 1:30 – Balanced vs Unbalanced Cables
• 3:45 – Line Level vs RCA Level vs Mic Level
• 5:08 – RCA Outputs
• 5:23 – Option 1 – RCA Cable (Unbalanced)
• 6:08 – Option 2 – RCA to 1/4″ TS Cable (Unbalanced)
• 6:40 – Option 3 – RCA to XLR Cable (Unbalanced)
• 7:11 – 1/4″ Outputs
• 7:30 – Option 4 – 1/4″ TS to RCA Cable (Unbalanced)
• 8:05 – Option 5 – 1/4″ TRS To TRS Cable (Balanced)
• 8:35 – Option 6 – 1/4″ TRS To XLR Cable (Balanced)
• 10:15 – XLR Outputs
• 10:34 – Option 7 – XLR to RCA Cable (Unbalanced)
• 10:55 – Option 8 – XLR To 1/4″ TRS Cable (Balanced)
• 11:35 – Option 9 – XLR Cable (Balanced)
• 12:30 – Extra Options
• 12:40 – DI Box
• 17:00 – Audio Mixer
• 19:12 – Final Thoughts