Why do I need an AUX input?

Many sound reproducing devices (for example, tape recorders, music centers, CD / MP3 players, TVs) have a connector intended for external signals input - AUX input. In this article we will consider the practical use of this jack.

AUX Line In

The amplitude of the signal applied to the line input varies from 0.5 to 1 V. This signal level is output by any music playback devices that have a line-out connector . It is usually marked as AUX OUT. The same level of signal is applied to the headphones. Therefore, the output of the headphones can be connected to the AUX input.

Line In Connection

The application area of this connector is quite wide. So, for example, if you want to listen to music from an MP3 player or smartphone (tablet) through powerful speakers, rather than through headphones, then you can connect your device to the AUX input Music center or other similar device. To connect, you will need an adapter cord. On the one side of the cable there should be a 3.5 mm jack connector (headphone plug), and on the other side a pair of "tulip" type connectors. The cord itself should be a four-core acoustic with an external copper braid. Such a cable can be bought in a store or made with your own hands. The jack can be cut off from non-working earphones or bought in a radio store. By purchasing connectors, you can choose their shape and performance - from the cheapest (plastic) to the most expensive (metallic gold-plated). When you find all the plugs and the wire, you can start assembling. We clean the insulation at the ends of the wire and solder connectors to them. At the jockey, the central contacts are signal contacts, and the external contacts are the common wire. The "tulip" is the same. Some devices have a headphone output under the standard "minijake", in which case it is necessary to solder the corresponding connector. Raspayka while remaining the same. After that, be sure to check the cable with a multimeter in the "dull" mode, in order to avoid incorrect connection.

AUX input setting

So the cord is ready, you can connect our player to the music center. We connect the cable to the line input AUX and turn on the playback mode AUX IN. For digital instruments, this is done through the menu, and in analog instruments - via a switch. It should be remembered that before turning on the player, you need to decrease the volume level on the music center or other playback device. This is done so that the device does not "yell" to its fullest if a powerful signal is applied to the output channel.

Conclusion

By this principle, you can connect various devices (laptops, netbooks, MP3 players, DVD players, iPods, tablets, etc.) to devices that contain audio amplifiers - music centers, televisions, home theaters, cassette recorders, etc. A good bunch is obtained when connecting CD / MP3 players and cassette recorders. The latter in the era of digital music are used extremely rarely, although they sometimes have much better characteristics. So this bundle gives a new life to analog technology.