Hooking up a monitor speaker to a simple sound system requires the sound mixer to have an auxiliary, line or monitor output. Most mixers of recent vintage will have this type of connection, but if yours does not, there is still a way to do it. Monitors are essential for performers to hear themselves and should be a basic part of every sound system. An active monitor (a speaker with built-in amplifiers) is the simplest and most compact solution, and the wiring hook-up is easy.
Instructions
Monitor for Systems with Output Jack
1. Plug one end of the connection cable into the mixer's line out, auxiliary or monitor output jack.
2. Plug the other end of the connection cord into the monitor's input jack. Plug in microphones or instruments to the mixer as usual.
3. Turn the volume controls down on both the monitor and mixer, and turn on power to .
4. Adjust the volume and tone controls on the mixer until the desired sound and volume level is reached.
5. Set the auxiliary send or monitor volume level on the mixer to about halfway. If the line output is used or your mixer does not have these controls, the monitor output level is governed by the master volume on the mixer.
6. Speak into the microphone and slowly turn up the volume on the monitor until a suitable volume is reached without producing microphone feedback. Make sure the monitor is placed directly behind the back of the microphone, as close to a 180-degree angle as possible to avoid feedback.
Monitor for Systems without Output Jack
7. Plug the microphone cord into the microphone, and plug the other end into the single XLR female connector on the "Y" cable.
8. Plug one of the male XLR connectors on the "Y" cord into the XLR female input on the monitor. Powered monitors are equipped with both 1/4-inch and XLR connectors.
9. Plug the second microphone cable into the remaining XLR male connector and the remaining microphone cable end into a mixer input channel.
10. Turn down the volumes of the mixer and monitor, and turn power on to both units.
11. Adjust the mixer volume and tone controls to desired levels, then adjust the monitor volume level. The monitor will only amplify the microphone connected to it, and it will function independently from the mixer.
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