You might need to connect a microphone to your car stereo for various reasons. Although car stereos are designed only for playing music, you can still connect various types of microphones to them. Probably you are out with your mates and want to sing karaoke. Or perhaps, you just want to see how your voice will sound on your car speakers which is why you want to connect a microphone to your car stereo system. Let’s begin this blog without further ado whatever the reason may be. We will break down everything you need to know to connect and have fun with your car stereo.
Microphone and Car Stereo Basics
How to connect a microphone to the car stereo? Well, you first need to understand the requirements. First, there are two types of microphones. There are wireless microphones that connect to audio consoles via Bluetooth and wired mics that connect directly via a wire.
You can connect both types of microphones to your car stereo system, provided you have the equipment that you need. It is pertinent to mention that car stereo systems have Aux cable jacks. So if your microphone has an aux connector, connecting it to your car stereo is easy. Just insert the mic connector into the jack and you are good to go.
Microphones Types You Can Connect To Car Stereo
As mentioned, there are not one but at least two types of microphones that you connect to your car. The most common type is a wired microphone which has further two types. Wireless microphones also come in a variety of different types but their connecting mechanism is the same which is through Bluetooth.
Wired Microphone
The two main types of wired microphones for cars are distinguished by their connectors.
Microphones that have an XLR connector at their ends are the first and most common types of microphones. The other type has aux connectors which are inserted directly into the aux jack of the car.
Wireless Microphone
Wireless microphones do not have a physical connector but they need a receiver. Different types of wireless microphones differ from brand to brand. But their fundamental mechanism is the same. Their receiver is most of the time inserted into a USB port on the dashboard. Note that not all cars have this feature. Be sure to check whether your car can support this feature before you get a wireless mic.
Which one to Choose?
You have to choose the microphone based strictly on what your car can support. Some cars might support a good old wired microphone while others may be built for wireless. It is also possible that some cars might not have a stereo system at all that supports microphones. In any case, you can still get a customized system if you really wish to.
But the rule of thumb to getting a microphone for your car is to check your car features. What can it support and does it support microphones at all? This is the question you should ask and you should get your answer.
How to Connect Microphone to Car Stereo?
Now let’s get to the main point. How do you actually connect the microphone?
There are different procedures for different kinds of mics.
Connecting a Wireless Microphone
If you are connecting a wireless microphone to your car stereo, you will need to find the correct port on the dashboard first. If your microphone receiver has an aux connector, which is the regular 3.5mm jack, you will insert it into the aux jack of the cable.
Almost all cars have aux ports so this should work with all kinds of cars. However, if the receiver of your wireless microphone has a USB connector, you will insert it into the relevant jack. If you cannot find any relevant jack, use a USB to Aux adapter and insert it into the aux jack.
Connecting a Wired Microphone
As previously mentioned, if your wired microphone has an aux connector, you are in luck. Because that is the easiest way of connecting it to the car stereo. Just insert the microphone jack, fire up the stereo system, and you are good to go.
But if your microphone has come with a USB connector, you will need to connect it to a USB port. Now, this is also easy per se but not many cars have USB ports on the dashboard that are connected to the stereo. This creates a problem, meaning that you cannot connect the microphone to the car if it has a different connector than what the stereo system can support.
So in this scenario, you will also need to get a USB to AUX adapter. Fortunately, these adapters cost nothing and virtually last forever – unless you lose them.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, if your car stereo supports connecting an external microphone, you can connect it using the appropriate connector or adapter. But before you get a microphone to connect it with your car, be sure to check whether or not your car can support it.
FAQs
Can you connect the microphone to the car stereo?
Most of the latest models of consumer cars can support microphones with their stereo systems. But you will have to check whether or not your car model can.
Can I connect a microphone to Aux?
Yes, you can connect your microphone to the aux jacket in your car. Microphones that are produced for cars have mostly Aux connectors.
Why connect a microphone to a car stereo?
People connect microphones to car stereos for various reasons, e.g. to amplify their voice on calls and for recreational purposes.
