Musical centers appeared in wide sale in the early 1990's. These were powerful sound machines with a radio receiver, a cassette deck and CD-ROM drives. Despite the fact that the cassettes on sale are no longer to be found, and the CD is rapidly out of fashion, the music center does not It's out of date today: a high-quality amplifier with speakers may well sound like a night party, and otvyaznuyu party. How to properly connect the music center to a computer, TV or laptop?

What is a music center?

As a rule, a musical center is understood as a unit for the reproduction of sound from different sources combined, as well as an amplifier. Cassette decks and CD-ROM drives are already a thing of the past, but power amplifiers and speakers continue to improve. Large speakers, which are equipped with music centers, operate in the power range from 90 to 150 W and satisfy the requirements of the most demanding music lover. The frequency range of the radiators has significantly expanded, their acoustic characteristics have reached perfection. That's why many people are trying to connect to the music center other home equipment - TV, computer, DVD-player.

Do not stay away and the old centers, released 10-20 years ago. Via standard AUX, line-in or microphone inputs to the music center, it's easy to connect a tablet, phone or laptop. Your favorite music will sound in the apartment, in the office or at the dacha. Switching, as a rule, does not constitute a big problem. It is necessary only to observe the accuracy and the simplest rules of safety. Consider the most commonly used methods of connecting to a music center.

How to output computer sound from a laptop

Most "computer" speakers do not have a high sound quality, and built-in "pishchalki" laptop are designed to reproduce system sounds. To enjoy the movie, enjoy your favorite songs or multimedia presentation, it's better to bring the sound card signal to the music center.

To connect a computer to a music center, you need a special cable, at one end of which jack Jack, mm, and on the other - two connectors type RCA ("tulip"), usually white and red colors. The principle of connection is that the line input of the music center is connected to the linear output of the sound card of the computer. To do this, plug Jack, mm is inserted into the socket on the computer (usually green), and two tulip connectors - into the corresponding nests on the body of the music center. In most devices, the line input needs to be activated - turn on LINE-IN or AUX mode, check the center's instructions.

If there is no line input RCA in the music center, you can connect it to the computer with a cable with two identical Jack connectors, mm at the ends. Such a wire connects the output of the computer or laptop sound card to the Jack jack on the front of the music center, labeled as AUX, or IN. When switching it is recommended to disconnect both devices.

Before turning on the sound, it is recommended to remove the volume of the music center, and then gradually increase the sound from the zero mark to the desired value.

Both the main and auxiliary line inputs must be activated in order for the sound to reach the amplifier. Check the instructions for your center.

Video: audio connection to computer

How to strengthen the sound of TV

For the past ten years, the main federal channels have been broadcasting in stereo. To make your favorite TV show sound brighter, it is recommended to connect a TV set to the music center. Depending on the model of the TV set, you will need a RCA-RCA, RCA-Jack or Jack-Jack cable. To connect the TV to a music center, you must:

1. Turn off the TV and stereo.
2. Find the AUDIO-IN connectors on the TV, select the adapter.
3. Connect the cable one end to the TV.
4. To insert "tulips" RCA in the musical center.
5. Carefully lay the cable.
6. Turn on the appliances.
7. Activate the center line input.
8. Check for sound.

Most models of TVs have RCA line outputs, labeled AUDIO-OUT. If no such connectors are found, the sound can be output through the headphone port - the jack is often located on the front of the TV. Note that the volume in this case will depend on the setting of the controller on the TV.

How to listen to music from your smartphone at the music center

Recorded in the smartphone music will sound in its entirety, if you bring a signal to the speakers of the music center.

Traditional wired phone connection

Absolutely all phones have only one sound output - to the headphones. To connect devices, you need a Jack-RCA cord. A single Jack plug, mm is inserted into the socket on the phone. And two "tulips" RCA on the other end of the cord are connected to the line input of the music center. When switching on for the first time, it is recommended to reduce the sound level to a minimum.

Modern alternatives: wireless connection via bluetooth (Bluetooth) or Wi-Fi

In some new generation stereos, the phone is connected using a wireless connection, it can be Bluetooth (Bluetooth) or Wi-Fi. Some models are equipped with a phone jack for dashboard. A smartphone plays music and is charged at the same time. The center together with it can work as an alarm clock.

Unfortunately, the music centers with such a connector depend on the phone model - you can not connect the Android phone to the device for the iPhone. And blame for this should only manufacturers, producing non-standard devices. A detailed description of the center's capabilities is given in the user manual.

Video: phone and music center

Connecting an electric guitar

Any guitar should be connected through a special amplifier, musicians call it "combi". Without it, the sound will be terrible - get a guitar amplifier, so as not to torment yourself or others.

If the courier with the amplifier is stuck in a traffic jam, and try out a new "Stratocaster" well, you really want to connect the guitar to the music center is possible. To do this, you should:

1. Take the adapter from the big "jack" (, 5 mm) to the "tulips" RCA.
2. Include a large "jack" in the guitar pickup.
3. Insert both "tulips" in the center line in order not to think which column is right.
4. Remove the volume on the center to a minimum.
5. Activate the center line input, if necessary.
6. Take a chord while raising the volume.

The guitar is a monophonic instrument, so the sound will come from just one column.

How to get the MP3 player to play through the speakers

A portable MP3 player connects to the music center via the headphone output. To do this, you need an adapter with Jack, mm to the RCA connectors. In addition, you can send a signal to the microphone input, connecting it with the output of sound from the player.

Video: how to output sound from MP3 player

Is it possible to put the music center in the car

Those who spend a lot of time driving a car, strive to equip the car with a good audio system. No better companion than your favorite music. It is quite real to use the music center for this purpose. The only obstacle is the absence of an alternating voltage of 220 V, from which the audio center normally operates. For modern electronics, there are no barriers that can not be overcome.

Attention! Use of non-standard equipment in the machine can be dangerous. Secure the case securely, never operate the audio system in motion.

On sale there are converters, which provide a transition from 12 volts to 220. The only thing to remember when using such a transformer to power the center, is that when the engine is switched off, the battery pack is quickly depleted. As practice shows, it is best to use the audio system while driving, when engine and generator speed exceeds 2000 per minute.

How to Install a Subwoofer in a Stereo System

A subwoofer is a special speaker that produces low-frequency sound waves in the range of 20 to 120 Hz. This acoustic device is often used in cars, it serves to play low bass. Since there is no stereo effect at low frequencies, sound is not localized, but it creates a unique atmosphere of sound.

If there is a desire to upgrade the music center and connect a subwoofer to it, you need to familiarize yourself with the operation manual of the center. Often a special output, designated SUB, is set on the audio systems. If there is no such output, the subwoofer can be connected to any line output. The circuit inside the device itself will "select" the sounds of those frequencies for which it is intended to be played.

Active or passive subwoofer

The active subwoofer is equipped with its own amplifier, it is connected to the line output of the center. Adjust the operating frequencies and volume on the device. If the subwoofer is passive, then it is connected to the gap between the center output and the standard speakers. The passive version is not equipped with an amplifier and is quite sensitive to the location in the room. It can not be placed in corners or recesses, from this the sound becomes extremely booming.

Connecting a USB flash drive

Modern new generation music centers are equipped with a USB port. Through it you can listen to audio recordings saved on flash drives.

If the center is not the newest and there is no USB port in it, the usual car FM-modulator, or transmitter, can help you get out of the situation. To do this, you need a small electrical current transformer, which converts the voltage of 220 watts into 12 watts. Usually it is made in the form of a car cigarette lighter. Connect it to the FM-transmitter, which has a USB-input. The frequency on which the modulator transmits the converted signal is set on the tuner's display.

Another option that will help to combine new technologies with the center, without the USB input is to connect it to the computer via the "AUX IN" output, as described above. Each computer has several nests for the USB flash drive, which can be used to play the audio signal. The playback quality with this connection will be much higher than when connecting the car FM-modulator.

Video: how to connect an FM modulator

Connection of color and light music

A good addition to the music center is a color and music device. Accompaniment of the sound line by flickering lamps of different colors creates a beautiful halo and an indescribable atmosphere. In order to connect the color music installation to the center, it is necessary to use an adapter cord equipped with a RSA or DIN plug. If the connection to the line output is not available, you can modify the cord by creating a parallel connection to one of the channels.

Another way to connect light-music is to connect directly to the speakers with crocodile clips. This method is possible if cables from the center to the columns are located in an accessible location. Otherwise you will have to resort to soldering.

There are also color music installations equipped with a built-in microphone that "listens" to music and transmits its vibrations to the lamps. This installation does not need to be connected, it's enough to place it directly from the sound source and plug it into the power outlet.

Wired and wireless microphone connection

Many audio systems are equipped with a karaoke function. In order to use it, you need to connect a microphone to the center. This is very simple: insert one end of the cord into the socket indicated by the MIC symbol or the microphone icon.

Amplifier for wireless microphone

There are also wireless models of microphones that give the performer greater freedom of movement. To connect to the same socket, you need to plug in the linear output of the receiving module, and insert the batteries in the microphone itself - the batteries or the battery.

The range of this microphone can reach from 10 to 50 meters.

Connecting a turntable player

This may seem strange, but today the trend has revived - the recording of musical works on vinyl discs. On sale began to appear turntable "giant" plates, working on the basis of digital playback of analog sound recording.

Digital players of the new generation are combined with all modern audio systems and computer equipment. Such a player can easily be connected to the music center via a line input.

Connecting old record players to modern equipment is often difficult technically. To do this, you need to solder the connectors of the connecting cords, and in the music center there must be a function of the line input.

Connecting a Mixer

Among other things, the music center is able to work with a mixer. This makes it possible to adjust the sound according to the needs of the playback. For example, when you combine playing the guitar with singing, you need to adjust the strength of a particular sound stream.

To make this possible, a microphone and a plug from the instrument are connected to the mixing console. Then the mixer through the line input is connected to the music center.

Depending on the model of the mixer and the rest of the audio equipment, the connection is made by various connecting cables, which are described in the technical documentation.

Video: mixer connection order

An additional antenna for the music center

One of the weak points of the first generation of music centers was the antennas with low sensitivity. It was due to the fact that far from every inland of our vast country there was a steady signal of FM-band. Through trial and error, folk craftsmen found ways to improve signal reception, inventing various types of antennas. In practice, a simple copper conductor with a length of up to 5 m gives a good result. One end of such a cable is cleaned and connected to the jack of the regular antenna, the other - it is laid along the wall.

Another proven option is to make your own hands a copper frame with a side of 60-70 cm. After experimenting, you can find the optimal place for placing such an antenna.

There are also ready-made antennas manufactured by the industry - they can be bought in the store.

By connecting various acoustic devices to the music center, it is necessary to remember the observance of personal safety rules. The main recommendation when connecting cables is to completely disconnect the devices from external power supply sources.