3 Ways To Connect DJ Controller To Audio Mixer (And Why?)

November 26, 2022
5 min read

In this tutorial, we show you three different ways to connect your DJ controller to an audio mixer. The cables we use will work for any DJ controller with RCA, ¼” or XLR outputs.

Quick Answer: Connect the output of your DJ controller to a ¼” line level input on your audio mixer. The cable that you need depends on the outputs that your DJ controller has available, but we have three suggestions below.

Benefits Of Using An Audio Mixer for DJs

Mackie ProFX6v3 Audio Mixing Console
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An audio mixer offers many benefits and will greatly improve your flexibility at an event, improve the quality of your microphone inputs, and balance all your audio signals so you can make a long cable run (if needed) to your speakers.

Let’s break down some of the biggest benefits of using an audio mixer: 

  • XLR Inputs: Say goodbye to the cheap ¼” microphone inputs on your DJ controller
  • High-quality preamps: If you’ve ever noticed the ¼” input on your DJ controller is hissy and sounds bad, this will greatly improve your microphone sound. Your microphones will sound much better. 
  • 48v Phantom Power: You can now use condenser microphones that require 48v of phantom power. 
  • FX Engine: If you ever need to add a bit of reverb to your vocalist, now you can!
  • Line Level Inputs: For your DJ controller and phone (as backup)
  • Balanced XLR Outputs: High-quality, balanced XLR outputs are the industry standard solution for connecting to powered speakers at events. 

Below are two options for audio mixers that we think provide the most value for DJs:

Related Article: How To Connect DJ Controller To Speakers

Line Level vs RCA Level vs Mic Level

DJ Controller Outputs
Let’s compare the output level of a DJ controller to the input level on an audio mixer.

When connecting your DJ controller to an audio mixer, it’s important to know the level (volume) of the output compared to what the input on your audio mixer is built to receive. Typically the outputs on your DJ controller will have the following level:

Mic Level & Line Level Inputs
  • XLR & ¼” Outputs: +4dB
  • RCA Level Outputs: -10dB

You can control the volume using your main level knob or booth level knob for more control, but this is a general rule. 

The last thing you want to do is plug a line-level output into a microphone-level input on your audio mixer. This will cause clipping and distortion because the microphone level input (typically XLR input) is not made to receive these types of inputs.

A better option is to connect your DJ controller to a line-level input (typically ¼”). These inputs are usually found in pairs to preserve the stereo signal coming from your DJ controller. 

Option 1: RCA To ¼” Cable (Unbalanced)

1/4" Unbalanced TS to RCA
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If your DJ controller has RCA outputs, then this is the best cable for you to use. 

You can connect the RCA end of this cable to your DJ controller, and the ¼” TS end to the line-level input of your audio mixer.

This cable is unbalanced, so keep it shorter than 10ft (3m), if possible. Longer lengths of unbalanced cable can attract noise, static, and audio interference. 

Option 2: ¼” TRS Cable (Balanced)

Canare TRS Cable
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If your DJ controller has balanced ¼” outputs, then this is the best cable for you to use. 

You can connect one end of this ¼” TRS cable to your DJ controller and the other to your ¼” line-level inputs on your audio mixer. 

This cable is balanced, so you can (theoretically) run it up to 1000ft (300m) without any audio degradation. 

The only downside of using 1/4″ TRS Cable is that you cannot easily extend the cable without needing a coupler.

Option 3: XLR to ¼” Cable (Balanced)

XLR Female to 1/4" TRS Cable
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If your DJ controller has XLR outputs, then this is the best cable for you to use. 

You can connect the female XLR jack to the XLR output of your DJ controller and ¼” TRS end to your ¼” line-level inputs on your audio mixer. 

This cable is balanced, so you can (theoretically) run it up to 1000ft (300m) without any audio degradation. If you need to extend this cable, you can easily add another XLR cable between your DJ Controller and this cable.

This is our favourite option to use in this guide.

How To Connect DJ Controller to Audio Mixer

How to connect DJ controller to an audio mixer

Total Time: 5 minutes

Setup DJ controller with a laptop.

Connect your DJ Controller to your Laptop, power on, and open your DJ Software.

What output does your DJ controller have?

XLR, 1/4″, or RCA

Decide what cable you need.

Option 1: RCA To 1/4″ Cable: https://currentprice.io/ts_rca
Option 2: 1/4″ TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/trs_cable
Option 3: XLRF To 1/4″ Cable: https://currentprice.io/xlr_trs

Connect the output of the DJ controller to the line-level input on the audio mixer.

Following the steps of this tutorial

Turn up the output on your DJ controller

Start at 50% or so.

Turn up the input on your audio mixer

Start at 50%

Play a track on your DJ Controller

Turn it up!

Connect DJ Controller to Audio Mixer Pricing

CABLES

AUDIO MIXERS

EXTRA EQUIPMENT

Connect DJ Controller to Audio Mixer Topics

  • 0:00 – Introduction
  • 0:22 – Equipment In Video
  • 0:50 – Price & Specs
  • 1:05 – Benefits Of Using An Audio Mixer
  • 3:14 – Line Level vs RCA Level vs Mic Level
  • 5:04 – Option 1 – RCA to 1/4″ TS Cable (Unbalanced)
  • 6:05 – Option 2: 1/4″ TRS Cable (Balanced)
  • 6:35 – Option 3: XLR-F to 1/4″ TRS Cable (Balanced)
  • 7:04 – Final Thoughts 
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