5 Cables Every Beginner DJ Should Know

“Oh crap, my sound isn’t working!”

There are many different cables you will need to know when setting up your DJ gear. These cables come in various sizes, shapes, colors and types.

There are various sound and connector cables used in a variety of different DJ setups, knowing these will help you identify which ones you will need and where they fit.

The following is 5 cables ever beginner DJ should know.

Stereo Audio Jacks

Audio jacks can be found on most headphones.

For DJs, you’ll generally be using:

• 1/8″ audio jacks
• 1/4″ audio jacks

1/8″ audio are the small ends of many audio jack cables you run into. These can be found on basic headphones (think iPod earbuds).

1/4″ audio jacks are the larger versions which you will find on DJ headphones and use to connect your mixer to the speakers (if you use active speakers).

Stereo audio jacks also have small notches on them. These notches allow you to plug the jack in half way to listen to music in Mono.

RCA Cables

Everyone has seen RCA cables, these are often the ones you connect to the back of your TV from the VCR or DVD player.

RCA generally has 3 connections:

• Video (Yellow)
• Right Stereo (Red)
• Left Stereo (White)

In a DJ setup, you will only be using the stereo RCA cables, these would be coming out of your turntable to be plugged into your mixer.

RCA cables have two ends:

• Male (tipped side – try to guess why it’s called male)
• Female (the hole side – rocket science!)

Obviously the male side of the RCA cables connect into the female side, you will need to match each of the colors else you will have your sound reversed.

On a mixer, there will be inputs which use RCA cables. Plug your turntable into each of the RCA inputs, screw down the ground wire and you’ll be set!

XLR Cables

For a DJs, there are 2 primary uses for XLR cables:

• Microphones (for MCing)
• Speakers

You may not use microphones that often but the majority of mixers will include one or two microphone XLR connections in the event that you use an MC or if you need to announce something (important for mobile DJs during weddings).

Many speakers need heavy connections which is why you will find some that use XLR cables as well.

As shown in the picture, you will also mix your cables so you will find a 1/4″ stereo jack which converts to an XLR end.

USB/Firewire Cables

DJs which use computers will have 2 great options:

• USB
• Firewire

USB cables are pretty much universal with most modern DJ equipment and will be found on all current computers. USB lets you connect very quickly and transfer tons of data. USB 3.0 is coming out soon which lets you transfer at an incredible rate – very important when running sound from a controller to the computer.

Firewire is another option for DJs – generally using Apple computers. Firewire is in competition with USB and being backed by Apple, it works great with your Apple computer.

The high transfer rate makes it perfect for DJs that store their music on external hard drives or if you are running additional video for VJing.

USB and Firewire also have mini connections (as shown above) – think of the smaller connections you’d plug into your cell phone.

Midi Cables

For the DJ that wants to start producing, Midi cables will very synonymous with your gear.

Although most piece of equipment today use USB in tandem with your computer, many old analog synths used Midi to send Midi signals to be routed through other pieces of equipment.

You won’t be seeing midi in most DJ setups unless they are using live instruments.

Midi cables will look an awful lot like XLR cables but take note of the pins within the heads of the connectors – see the difference?

Using these in your DJ setup

Generally, a DJ will be using:

• Stereo Jacks – Headphones
• RCA – Turntables
• XLR – Microphones
• USB/Firewire – Computers

Cables can be found for a few bucks while other companies (like Monster) list them at hundreds. You don’t necessarily need to spend an arm and a leg but remember that cheap cables could die – leaving you without sound.

Plug in your turntables using the RCA connections, hook up a microphone on the XLR connections, attach your speakers using 1/4″ stereo connections and you’ll be pretty much good to go.

Be aware that there are many various adapters as well:

• 1/4 – 1/8
• XLR – 1/8
• RCA – 1/4
• Etc.

These adapters can be picked up at any hardware shop or online for a few bucks – I recommend you grab one or two, you never know if you may need them.

Memorize and learn which connectors you need to hook up your gear. You don’t want to be left trying to hook up your gear only to find out you’re missing a few cables. Carry a couple extra with you at all times and you’ll be set.

Did I miss anything or or need to explain it a bit better? Leave a comment below and I’ll answer any of your questions. Be sure to Tweet this message as well!

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