There are some occasions when you need to connect a laptop or any other media device like a smartphone, iPad, or mp3 player to your mixer to play music. This type of setup is prevalent in karaoke settings and for DJs to connect their laptop with their playlist and DJ software to the mixing board for a live show.
In this post, I explain a couple of easy, straight forward ways of how to connect a laptop to a mixer for playing sound.
But if you want the quick answer here it is: Use a 3.5mm (1/8”) stereo male to two 1/4” male jack connectors to go from the laptop to the mixer’s input.
If you need to connect your computer to a mixer for recording, read this post on How to Connect Mixer to Computer For Recording.
Getting to know your Mixer’s Input Channels
As you may know, mixing consoles have lots of knobs and several input channels. If you don’t know the basics of a mixing board, looking at one can be quite intimidating because each knob has its function, and you wouldn’t know where to start.
When you want to connect a laptop to a mixer, you need a stereo channel. The reason is because the audio coming from your computer is a stereo signal, meaning with a left and a right channel. Most mixers have stereo input channels with their EQ knobs to equalize the sound to your likings.
They are usually labeled with two numbers. For example, you’ll see a single channel marked 9/10, 11/12, and so on. The two numbers mean two channels or a stereo channel.
In the image below, I have highlighted the available stereo input channels that you need to look for when connecting your laptop to a mixer to play sound. I have included a couple of different brands of audio mixers so that you have a better reference.
If you pay attention to the image below, you’ll see that the channels that are labeled with two numbers have Left (L) and Right (R) input connections with 1/4″ phone jack. These connectors can be used for connecting your laptop or mobile device to your mixer. Some mixers still use RCA type connectors, but the most common nowadays is the 1/4″ phone jacks.
Connecting the Laptop to The Mixer Using a Cable – Two Options
Using the 3.5mm Headphone Output
To connect the laptop, iPad, smartphone, or mp3 device to the mixing board, we will use the headphone output, which is a 3.5mm female jack connector. All you’ll need is a 3.5mm stereo male to two 1/4” male jack connectors (link to Amazon).
Using a USB-C Port as The Headphone Output
Most Windows laptops still come with the 3.5mm stereo headphone output. Still, some of the newer models, especially the slim 2-in-1 Laptops (convertible laptops & tablets), don’t come with a 3.5mm headphone output.
It’s worth mentioning that some Apple laptops and new generation iPhone and Android phones don’t have the headphones output jack.
To work around this issue when trying to connect them to a mixer, you’ll need an adapter to go from the USB-C port to a headphone jack.
Here is the link if you have an Apple device and want the original Apple USB-C to headphones jack converter.
Inside the converter is a small digital-to-analog converter that takes the digital audio signal and converts it into analog so it can be connected to the mixing console.
Follow these steps to connect your laptop to a mixer for playing music:
- Make sure that the volume slider for the channel you will use in the mixer is all the way down.
- Connect the Left (White) 1/4″ jack to the mixer.
- Connect the Right (Red) 1/4” jack to the mixer.
- Before connecting the 3.5mm stereo jack to the laptop, make sure there is no audio playing.
- Connect the 3.5mm stereo jack to the headphone output on the laptop. Note: if your laptop doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphones jack, first connect the USB-C to headphone jack converter, then connect the 3.5mm stereo jack to the output of the converter. Check the diagram below.
- Play some music on your laptop and slowly increase the volume slider on the mixer until you hear sound coming from the speakers.
- Use the EQ knobs to adjust the highs and lows to your liking.
I have included the following diagrams for your reference. Use the first diagram if your laptop has a 3.5mm headphone port. If your laptop doesn’t have a headphone output, use the second diagram.
Another Way of Connecting a Laptop to Your Mixer
Another way to connect your laptop to a mixer is by using two mono channels, with one channel panned to the left and the other panned to the right.
Some older analog mixing consoles don’t have a single stereo channel for connecting a stereo signal. If that is the case, then you need to use two separate mono channels.
Let’s say that we are going to use channels 1 and 2. The first thing is to locate the “PAN” knob; it is usually located above the volume slider.
After locating it, turn channel 1 “PAN” knob all the way to the left and channel 2 PAN knob all the way to the right. This way, you are setting each mono channel to one side of the stereo bus.
Connect the left (white) jack to the input labeled “LINE” on channel 1, and the right (Red) jack to the input labeled “LINE” on channel 2.
I recommend setting the EQ, and volume sliders to the same level so that both channels are at the same volume.
Here is the connection diagram for your reference.
Connecting a Laptop to a Mixer Wirelessly Using a Bluetooth Receiver
The second and most convenient method to connect a laptop to a mixer for playing sound is to use a Bluetooth receiver. That way, you can wirelessly connect your laptop to the mixer without cables hanging around.
The easiest way to add Bluetooth capabilities to any audio mixer is by using Alto’s Bluetooth Ultimate Audio Adapter (link to Amazon).
This device is an XLR-equipped, rechargeable Bluetooth receiver that streams audio wirelessly to any audio mixer or powered loudspeaker.
With Bluetooth Ultimate, you can quickly and easily add Bluetooth to any live sound setup providing you with a range of up to 100+ft. Its rechargeable battery lasts 6+ hours, and the best part is that no wires are needed for the connection as it plugs in directly into the mixer.
Another great feature is that the receiver comes with dual XLR connectors to add Stereo Bluetooth Streaming capability to any mixer for playback from all your devices, including smartphones & tablets.
Steps to Connect a Laptop to a Mixer Wirelessly – Using the Alto Bluetooth Ultimate
- Decide if you want a Stereo or Mono stream. If you decide to go with Stereo, which I recommend for a better hearing experience, you will need two separate input channels in the audio mixer and a short XLR to XLR cable to leverage the stereo feature. You’ll only need one input channel if you decide to go with a Mono connection.
- For stereo mode, use two mono channels, with one channel panned to the left and the other panned to the right. For mono, use one channel and leave the pan knob in the center.
- Before making any connections, ensure that the channel/s you will use in the mixer are muted and that the volume faders are down. Also, don’t forget to bring your laptop’s volume down. This is to avoid sudden loud pop sounds that could damage your speaker.
- For stereo mode, connect the Bluetooth adapter to the input channel panned to the left. Let’s say to Channel 1 and use the XLR-to-XLR connector to connect one side of the cable to the adapter, and the other side to the input channel panned to the right. Just as shown in the diagram below.
- Turn on the Bluetooth adapter and set the stereo/mono switch to your desired mode.
- Turn the volume faders on the mixer up to less than halfway.
- Press the pair button on the receiver for 3 seconds until the blue LED starts flashing. When “Bluetooth Ultimate” is in pairing mode, a pairing tone will sound on the speakers.
- On your laptop, under the list of Bluetooth devices, look for the one named “Alto BTU” and tap to connect it.
- After the connection between the laptop and receiver has been established, a confirmation tone will sound, and the Bluetooth LED should stay on. Please note: If your Bluetooth device prompts for a pairing code, enter “0000.”
- Play some music on your laptop and slowly increase its volume until you hear sound on the main PA speakers.
- At this point, adjust your volumes on the mixer and the laptop until it is loud enough for you.
- Set the EQ on the mixer to adjust the highs and lows until it sounds like you want. I recommend setting the same EQ and volume faders on both channels to the same level to sound balanced.
Final Thoughts
In this post, I have shown a couple of easy ways of how to connect a laptop for playing sound or music. These methods also apply if you want to connect a laptop to a mixer for karaoke purposes. I hope this information is helpful to you. Thank you for reading my blog.