Among the large number of connectors that are supplied with music equipment, the AUX connector can be called one of the most universal, at least before the emergence of digital multimedia devices. The AUX marking is found on almost all types of devices that reproduce sound: televisions, stereo systems, CD/DVD players, car radios. On equipment of previous generations you can also find the CD-IN marking, which is an outdated name for a connector of this type. But among experts it is often called “linear input”.
Let's look at the features of this type of connector as applied to car audio equipment.
What is AUX and what is it for?
AUX – linear input. This connector is an integral part of many modern multimedia systems. It is used to connect external sound sources (smartphone, tablet, player and others).
Externally, AUX in in a car looks like a round hole with a metal edge. On the radio panel, the AUX input is indicated by the corresponding abbreviation and is a small round hole with a diameter of 3.5 millimeters. The same AUX out hole is used to connect external speakers to a desktop computer.
The plug that connects the jack to the connected device is similar to the one you see on a headphone cord. It is impossible to imagine a modern car without a built-in connector.
How to make an Aux 3.5-3.5 cable at home?
Today, in various stores of electrical equipment and accessories for it you can find a huge variety of all sorts of things.
In particular, we are offered a wide selection of cables that allow you to connect various devices and systems to each other.
However, there are some solutions that are not so easy to find in an ordinary cable store. These include, for example, an Aux 3.5-3.5 cable, that is, a wire with a double input into a standard 3.5 jack for “household” headphones. Such solutions can, in principle, be made to order, but you can whip up something similar yourself, if you have a couple of “extra” headphone wires and a few simple tools on hand.
In this article we will tell you how you can solder Aux into a full-fledged Aux 3.5 – 3.5 Jack cable. Many people experience terrible inconvenience when they need to, say, listen to their favorite music from any player in the car, on its native speakers. For these purposes, we will use a pair or three of torn headphones, which will serve as “donors” of the main material for our cable.
— a pair of cords from old or new headphones;
Also, for those who have at least some minor skills in working with a soldering iron, they can add it to this list.
Stage 1
First we need to expose the wires and clear them of the braid. At the end of all procedures, you should receive three small wires with different colors at the output. The same procedure will need to be done with the second cord.
Stage 2
Next, you need to take two prepared wires and twist each element of the same color. After this, if you have the proper skills, it is advisable to solder them together. Now we will need to seal the connections with electrical tape. In this case, it is necessary to “dress” each twist with electrical tape - this is necessary so that the wires cannot contact each other. After separating each wire section from the three available, you need to assemble them all together and glue them together with electrical tape.
Stage 3
Basically everything. Now you can go to the car with peace of mind, taking your favorite audio player with musical compositions pre-recorded on it.
In this simple way, you can make from seemingly junk such a useful thing as an Aux 3.5-3.5 cable, which will become indispensable on any road trip.
Advantages and disadvantages of having a connector in a car
Advantages:
- Linear audio input significantly expands the capabilities of the car radio.
- Allows you to listen to a wide variety of content: from audio files from the device’s memory to Internet radio stations.
- You can connect any external device to the input: player, phone, laptop, etc.
- There is no need to replace the built-in radio.
- The sound quality broadcast from a phone or tablet device is in no way inferior to the quality from any other media;
- Allows you to listen to audio from external media in improved quality.
The main disadvantage is the need to purchase adapters for AUX input and devices of various types. Often, because of this, interference in the form of cords appears in the area where the vehicle controls are located.
The Hidden Advantage of Bluetooth Over Auxiliary
Even if a wireless network transmits a low level of audio quality that you may personally find, there is one reason why you might want to choose a wireless connection after testing the physical connection.
When you connect your phone to a Bluetooth stereo or compatible OEM entertainment system, the purpose is usually to listen to music. However, creating this type of connection also gives you access to hands-free calling without a separate connection or connecting a wireless headset.
Almost always, connecting your phone to your car stereo via a physical auxiliary connection will eliminate the hands-free feature. This is because phones, if available, will automatically want to use a wired connection to handle incoming or outgoing calls.
Of course, this will usually lead to a situation where you can hear the person on the other end of the call through the car speakers, but they cannot hear you.
Using Bluetooth to stream music is a good way to avoid this problem, since phones and car stereos can usually switch from a music streaming profile to a communication profile during a phone call.
Setting up AUX input
AUX in is not a mandatory feature of the dashboard of all makes and models of cars. As well as the radios built into these cars. AUX in is not a complicated device. It can be installed at any service station. And if you have technical skills, you can do it yourself. For this you will need:
- wire 40-50 cm long - 3 pcs.
- AUX connector with socket.
Installation algorithm:
- One end of each wire is soldered to the stereo output channel of the player.
- The opposite ends are brought out.
- The three-pin AUX jack is attached to the wires.
- A place for the connector is prepared on the dashboard or car radio.
- An AUX connector is installed in the prepared place.
How to connect to AUX input
To connect to the aux, you need a cable for the car radio. One end of it ends with a plug corresponding to the linear input, and the second must match the device that is intended for connection. When contact is made between the aux in on the radio and the device from which data will be transferred, the aux in switches on automatically. The main thing is that it matches the connector of the connected device. With the help of such an adapter, data is transferred from an external storage device to the audio system. Sometimes such a cable is part of a device kit. If necessary, it can be purchased as a separate independent accessory.
The main methods for connecting sound transmitting devices to the aux input in a car are described below.
Standard minijack cable 3.5 mm
It is a legacy of the evolution of the telephone plug, which was used as a communications connection at the first telephone exchanges. The size of the first generation was 6.35 mm. From the middle of the last century to the present day, the most popular size for various types of equipment is 3.5 mm. It's called minijack.
The minijack design is created in TRS format. If you don’t go into detailed terminology, decoding and translation, then in simple terms this means three contacts that provide high-quality stereo sound transmission.
Today, thanks to the historical standardization of equipment, the minijack is used in almost any audio equipment. The AUX port is just one of the common uses.
AUX USB adapter
It is a cable with a minijack plug at one end for connecting to the AUX output, and a USB connector at the other. It is used to connect devices with a USB output to the audio system as an external audio media. For example a laptop. This is the ability to listen to audio files stored on it, if the car radio is capable of reading mp3 format. The presence of files with a different extension in memory can cause complications during decoding and slow down the process.
Such adapters can differ only in the length of the cord. For comfortable use in the car, it is better to purchase a model with a short cable, no more than 12 cm.
bluetooth adapter
A modern gadget that establishes wireless communication between devices of various types. The most technologically advanced models provide stable data exchange at a distance of 50-60 meters with high speed in the range from 3 to 24 Mbit/s, depending on the model.
Distinctive advantages of the bluetooth adapter:
- low cost;
- ease and safety of use;
- ergonomics.
Wide range of uses of the bluetooth adapter:
- sound transmission;
- connecting the player to various types of audio playback devices;
- organization of a wireless bluetooth network.
The list of abilities of this multifunctional device is not exhausted by the listed points.
It is important that if the output plug of the bluetooth adapter is a minijack, then the gadget can be connected to the aux input. This will allow you not only to listen to audio tracks from the memory of your smartphone or the Internet, but also to conduct telephone conversations in a hands-free format. In this case, the voice of the interlocutor will be output to the car's audio system.
How to connect a flash card to AUX
The main condition for connecting a flash drive to the aux is the presence of power and audio output. Therefore, a USB-minijack adapter will not work. You will need a special adapter, sometimes called a CD changer. The same device can read SDs cards of mobile phones. Supports Bluetooth telephone headset.
The adapter design includes a housing with several connectors. It is connected to AUX via a minijack connector. On the other side, a flash drive is connected. In this case, the radio will recognize it as a CD.
To make playing tracks from a USB drive possible, you need to create a folder on the radio into which the files will be loaded.
How to use
It’s not difficult to connect the aux to the radio, you just need to study the instructions and properly prepare the device, especially when the port has never been used. You should check the connector - if it is open, dust has accumulated in the hole over the years of operation of the machine. The easiest way to clean it is with a toothpick or a match, on which you can wrap cotton wool soaked in alcohol.
When connecting, follow these simple guidelines:
- Insert the plugs into the connectors on the car radio and gadget or laptop. Play a song to make sure it plays through your car's speakers.
- If the sound comes from the phone speakers when the Aux cable is connected to the radio, download an additional program. You need to download an application like Sound About onto your gadget, where you can configure where to send the sound - to the speakers or to the headphones (you need the second option).
- Check the volume control on the radio. You can only switch tracks from your phone, which is not very convenient. The car system serves as an amplifier, so it cannot change songs.
This type of in-car music playback has its drawbacks. They also need to be taken into account if there is a choice of different phone connection options. Main disadvantages:
- It's not very convenient to operate, since you have to constantly pick up the phone. To solve the problem, you can install the holder in the middle so that the smartphone screen is at a comfortable height, and you can switch music with one click.
- With prolonged use, the battery drains, since devices cannot be charged through the AUX input.
- Many people don’t like the way the panel looks—a wire sticks out of the radio. In addition, the cable can get caught.
Important! If the connector is located on the back of the radio, the wire can be routed directly into a niche or other place where it will be convenient to connect the phone.
Instead of a phone, you can use a regular MP3 player, then you can upload music to the gadget and you don’t have to connect your smartphone every time. It is recommended to carefully lay the wire in advance and find a convenient place for placement so as not to spoil the appearance of the car interior.
Problems using AUX
When connecting an external device to a car audio system via the AUX line input, difficulties may arise:
- The radio does not recognize audio files. This is possible if they are played from the folder of the connected device, which contains files with a different extension (text, video, etc.).
- The sound is reproduced in reduced quality relative to the original. In order to solve this problem, you need to try using a different adapter. Interference may be due to mechanical damage to the cable, plug or socket. Or the radio cannot amplify the information supplied to it.
- The gadget and the system do not contact each other for other reasons. Solution: install an application like SoundAbout on your device.
- The device is invisible through the bluetooth adapter. You need to check the “Available to everyone” item in the settings. It must be turned on.
- Contact is not made via a USB adapter. If the problem is not mechanical damage, then in the connected device, in the “Settings” tab, you need to activate the “Data transfer” item.
Where did Bluetooth come from?
When the underlying technologies associated with the aux input signal in a stereo system were originally intended to carry a different type of analog audio signal in the 1960s. Bluetooth was recently invented as a way to create secure wireless local area networks.
The idea behind Bluetooth was to offer a fast, wireless alternative to RS-232 serial port connectivity for personal computers. The serial port was replaced by USB by the late 1990s, but Bluetooth eventually came along as well.
Although Bluetooth is used in many different ways today, the way most people interact with technology on a daily basis is through their phones. Because Bluetooth makes it possible to create secure, local and wireless networks. The technology is more used when connecting wireless headsets to phones, as opposed to aux.
Wireless headsets and speakerphones are the main vector through which Bluetooth arrived in cars. Since so many phones already had Bluetooth built-in, and so many people were already using wireless headsets, automakers began offering built-in Bluetooth hands-free functionality.
Since Bluetooth also includes a profile for music streaming, it's natural that stereo manufacturers will start offering this option as well. Thanks to the Bluetooth wireless network, it is possible to transmit audio, video and even control radio applications directly from your phone.
Iphone
The apple brand has always stood apart and pushed new standards onto the world market. If previously there was a standard connector in any phone, then starting with the iPhone 7, it was replaced with a lightning one. Of course, in this case you need an AUX cable for the iPhone.
In fact, he is no better than usual. It’s just impossible to connect the standard one to new iPhones. The original cable will be very expensive. Even in a Chinese online store, such AUX connectors will be more expensive than regular ones.
Video on the topic
Modern music equipment is equipped with a variety of connectors, among which AUX is considered the most universal. This abbreviation translated from English means “secondary”, “additional”. Found on TV sockets, home theaters, CD players and car radios. On past equipment, the connector was labeled CD-IN, but experts call aux in a car radio a “line input.”
AUX socket with connected adapter and flash drive
Let's sum it up
As you can see, AUX (aux, aux) in a car is a simple and convenient solution. If the capabilities of the GU are limited, the USB is missing or is out of order, then the AUX output allows you to listen to music on the radio from your phone or tablet player through the car speakers.
Even though a USB connection can provide better sound quality and make it easier to manage your media library, AUX IN can be used with any portable audio devices, and a wired connection can be implemented quickly and cheaply. For this reason, instead of replacing the standard radio or buying a more modern device, it is quite possible to listen to music in the car via AUX.
Sources:
- https://SamoDelino.ru/elektronnye-samodelki/aux-chto-eto.html
- https://SwapMotor.ru/instrument-i-oborudovanie/aux-v-avtomobile.html
- https://AvtoNov.com/%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE-%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5-aux-%D0%B2-% D0%B0%D0%B2%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B5/
- https://DriverTip.ru/osnovy/aux-v-avtomobile-i-kak-im-polzovatsya.html
- https://homeasking.com/chto-takoe-aux-in-na-muzykalnom-centre/
- https://priorik.ru/lajfhak-kak-podklyuchit-auks-v-mashine/
- https://KrutiMotor.ru/aux-dlya-magnitoly/
- https://AutoTuning.expert/magnitola/kak-podklyuchit-aux.html
- https://autolocked.ru/magnitola/aux-v-avtomagnitole-i-kak-ego-podklyuchit
- https://sdelaj-sam.com/aux-chto-eto-za-termin/
Where can I buy?
An AUX cable can literally be found anywhere. However, it should be remembered that the quality of the wire will vary. Of course, it is difficult to convince buyers that they should not save money. But this is the very case when it is better to listen to the seller’s advice. The fact is that such cables are very cheap. Even the most expensive of them rarely cost more than 300 rubles. A cable for 50 rubles will not only not last long, it will also be short and tactilely unpleasant. If you still don’t want to purchase a cheap product that will probably break soon and you have the opportunity to wait a little, the best choice would be the famous online store of Chinese goods Aliexpress.
There is a popular myth that Chinese goods are of poor quality. However, this is not the case. Almost everything is made in China, especially the various cables. By purchasing a product from a Chinese brand, the buyer can be confident in the quality of the product. At the same time, buying an AUX cable without a brand or at a too low price is clearly not worth it.
The quality of the braiding of the wire itself is also important. This is an important element. A good fabric braid makes the wiring flexible and durable, while ordinary insulation is easily frayed and is far from flexible.
What to do if the sound is quiet or you can’t hear it
Unfortunately, not all devices are well matched in terms of signal levels, so the volume may not be enough. Solving this problem at the hardware level is only possible for electronics specialists. Using a Bluetooth adapter instead of a direct cable connection often helps.
But if the radio itself has a low level of sensitivity for the AUX input, and this occurs on standard car devices, then sometimes it will be cheaper to replace the radio with a more modern one, which already has all the necessary digital interfaces.
Why is this convenient?
- The technical functions of conventional radio tape recorders are significantly expanded.
- You can listen not only to your favorite music, but also broadcasts from virtual radio stations.
- Additional connection of absolutely any external devices is possible.
- No financial investment is required to update built-in car audio systems.
- Broadcasting sound through a phone connected to the AUX input will be no worse than the quality of played music from a flash drive or disk.
Some technical details
The linear input receives a signal with an amplitude of 0.5 - 1.8 V. This signal magnitude is supported by sound-reproducing devices with a linear output. The socket is marked “AUX OUT” or “CD OUT”. The signal supplied to the headphones has the same magnitude. Therefore, the headphone output of the headphones connects perfectly to the AUX IN input.
The design of all of the above sound-reproducing devices includes a sound amplifier. It is to this that the signal from the linear input is directly supplied. Using this algorithm, the signal generated by the MP3 player and iPod is amplified. The amplified signal is then played back through loudspeakers.
Using this method, you can listen to music collections collected on a player, tablet or phone through the car speakers. We connect the car receiver or radio via “AUX IN” to the playback device.
The connection of digital devices is controlled through the menu; analog devices have a standard switch. Since the initial volume level is difficult to control, it is recommended to set it to the minimum level before connecting.
The presence of an “AUX” connector will give a second wind to outdated analog equipment. For example, a cassette recorder can be connected to a modern music center or player.
A few words about the important
You cannot connect a device that produces amplified sound to the AUX.
For example, you want to connect a sound source to AUX. So, you can only connect THAT audio signal that is usually supplied to HEADPHONES or AMPLIFIER. Under no circumstances should a signal be connected to AUX that comes from the AMPLIFIER. The radio may simply fail.
And further. The same thing, but in reverse. If your AUX OUT is intended for direct connection of speakers, then you CANNOT output sound to an amplifier or headphones. Otherwise they will also fail. You need to output sound ONLY DIRECTLY TO THE SPEAKERS!
Also note that the contacts of the AUX cable must not be short-circuited. Well, I think this is already clear to you))
