Connecting a mixer to a laptop

The mixer is an electronic sound processing device that improves the quality and format of the sound file due to the presence of audio processing functionality.. The mixing console allows you to mix channels, receive signals from various sources and provide the ability to listen to the final results of processing files in various ways. The need to use such devices in the process of recording studios or in dj-installations is obvious. With regard to the use of the mixer at home for personal, not professional purposes, very few can boast of the presence in their apartments of serious audio systems with a mixing console. If for you the purposes of using the device are defined, it remains only to deal with the process of connecting equipment.

The process of connecting to a laptop

Connecting a mixing console to a laptop or to any other stationary computer is a rather painstaking procedure that requires taking into account many different factors and consists of several stages.

First of all, it is necessary to study the plug of the device through which it will occur. network connection. Modern devices, as a rule, are supplied with plugs of the European standard, therefore, for work you will need an adapter.

Selecting cables and wires for connection is perhaps the most time-consuming and crucial moment in the whole procedure.

Unfortunately, through a usb connection, it is so convenient and universal, the system cannot be configured.

It is necessary to use more complex connection options.To connect to a computer, you will need a cable with two connectors of a “jack” type and one - a “mini-jack” for connecting a sound card. Make no mistake with the length of the cord: it is better to buy a wire with a margin, rather than after coming up with options for its extension or continue to use the sound system in an inconvenient location.

Cable - adapter from jack to mini-jack

The next step will be microphone connection. To connect it, you need to use a special connector located on the side wall (sometimes on the back) of the laptop and an XLR cable. Sometimes it happens that the system does not see the device. In this case, do the following:

• go to the "Control Panel" Windows;
• select the item “Equipment and Sound”;
• click on the "Realtek Dispatcher";
• set the standard device in the driver settings;
• check the performance of the microphone and mixing console.

XLR cable for microphone connection

We connect the speakers and amplifier

It is quite easy to connect the system to the speakers and to the amplifier, which are often included in the equipment package, but care is also needed in this case.

The procedure is as follows.

1. On the computer's motherboard, you must find a linear exit marked with green marking - a place for connecting the stereo cable connector; direct the second connector to the mixer IN-jack.
2. Connect "Out" on the remote with "In" on the amplifier.
3. Next, add columns to the system. As a rule, they are connected to the console via the “Out R” and “Out L” connectors.

Pay attention to the resistance! This indicator should be identical for the speakers and the amplifier - the discrepancy will immediately affect the volume and sound quality.

Sound card connection

The correct choice of sound card will ensure the full use of the functionality of the mixing systems, this is especially important in cases where it is necessary to solve professional problems. If the card built into the device has a high degree of audio playback quality, then it is reasonable to continue using it in combination with a mixer, but if the quality is not enough, you will need to take care of purchasing an external usb sound card.

Any external sound card has several inputs and outputs for manipulating the mixer and the computer.

You can connect all elements of the system as follows:

• we wire the card and the laptop (“mini-jack” to the “out-put” socket on the card);
• Download and install drivers for the card;
• then you need to connect a microphone, headphones and other auxiliary devices through the connection with mixer;
• We complete the system by combining a mixer and a laptop.

The option of optimally combining all the elements of the system in each particular case can be different - it depends on both the tasks set and the specifics of the selected devices.

Configuring sound card drivers

Record sound without installing and configuring drivers will not work. Most often, all the necessary software is installed at the time of the initial boot of Windows, but if the card was later replaced, you need to download the driver again.

1. There are several main manufacturers of sound cards, each of which has its own official site. With regard to video, by the way, the resource is only one, which greatly simplifies the search procedure. Suppose, in our case, this will be the card of one of the most popular Realtek companies.
2. To select the correct driver you need to know the exact name of the installed card. This can help AIDA64 utility. You need to download the boot file and install the program, then open the aidaexe file. In the window that opens, click "Computer", after the item "Summary information". As a result, the screen displays information on everything that is installed in the laptop - from the name of the motherboard to the brand of the sound card of interest to us.
   
3. Go to the site Realtek.com. It does not have Russian-language support, but if you need it, you can use it to work with the Google Chrome site - the built-in translator will translate everything to you.
4. Select "Downloads", then "High Definition Audio Codecs", put a check on "I accept to the above" and click "Next". We select the type of operating system, as well as the resource from which we will download (there are several of them).
5. Download the driver and run, strictly following the instructions. Restart the computer and enjoy the sound.

Connecting a mixer to a laptop and combining all devices into a single system that provides maximum possibilities for processing, listening and playing audio is a task that it is quite possible to solve on your own. On the Internet resources, you can find instructions and manuals for almost all versions of the equipment used. If the decision to use the mixer to record and process sound files in your particular case has already been made, you should not postpone the process indefinitely, proceed to customize now!