I don't do commercial but I was referred to a small firm that is asking if I can connect a wireless mic to a Sonos system for training sessions. I'm thinking that I can connect a wireless mic system to the analog input, somehow.

Another option that's wanted is to be able to feed the audio of a Powerpoint presentation and or a YouTube video into the Sonos system. I figure, I can get the audio somehow from their equipment and either a switch or possibly use another input on the mic system.......
Is this possible? If so, with what recommended equipment?
OR
Am I trying to do something that may turn into a disaster?

Keep in mind that there is a 70ms latency between Line-In and output from a SONOS player. This will usually be perceived as an unwanted, debilitating "echo" by non professional performers, but I have used this to my advantage in live music environments when the stage was (conveniently) 70 feet from the audience.

If you get it working, the only disaster you're likely to run into is that the audio won't be limited to a standard range of volume, with unexpected peaks (some idiot actually drops a mic) still in the signal.

You can do this by getting a mixer. There are small mixers on the market for about $50. Input the microphone and the Powerpoint audio. Mix to taste, but use mono, since you want everyone to hear everything and imaging would be ludicrous in this situation. Use the line outputs of the mixer. You might have to buy some cables to get the right plugs to match the mixer.

I use a Mackie Mix8 for a submix at our church. We have 2 mics on the Hammond's Leslie speaker, a cable for connection of an iPod if needed, and other available inputs.

And be guaranteed that some speakers are likely to be blown, or perhaps a Sonos amp, if someone mishandles the mic. We always caution against allowing DJs to hook into people's restaurant or bar music systems because the DJs will go for maximum volume with no regard for the capabilities or limitations of the systems. Someone has to protect the system if you do this. You're more likely to have things under control in a "small firm" than in a bar!

I'd consider flipping the room.

Make the mic and presentation the primary room use with a commercial amp for that purpose, and use a Sonos connect as another input source to said amp for music. Who want's to be messing with an app to pick source or deal with possible sync delays from digitizing etc. when doing a presentation, or worse another zone on the system switches inputs and hears a board meeting they shouldn't have.

Of use both amps with a speaker ab switch, depending on the scenario and how it's already set up.

Sure you could get a mixer or mic stage and use the input, but is that really the right setup for their purpose?

Ernie,

While I'm not recommending that someone use Sonos for commercial PA work, the units are quite robust and it is unlikely that the Sonos units will be damaged by inept level settings. The power amplifiers will back off the Volume setting or shut down if one upsets them. Sure, one could overload the Line-In, but there is an adjustment for this and this overload sounds so gross that the user is very likely to take corrective action. On the plus side, the output impedance of the CONNECT is quite low (lower than some of the DA's that one might normally consider) and driving long lines is not much of an issue.

You are very likely to come face to face with the Sonos "smoke" if there is an attempt to bridge the amplifiers.

Rob is going the correct direction.

Surely one of your suppliers can help you with the appropriate parts. If not, I know of one supplier who can get the correct tool for the job.

Do it correctly, and you will get more referrals.

I agree with the others that this is the wrong question. I outlined how it can be done, and there are small firms that won't want to spend the money to do it right, but Rob and Fred are answering the correct question, which is "what's the best way for us to do what we want to do?"

Buzz, who said anything about bridging amps? You mean connecting from hot to hot of two out-of-phase power amp channels, right? Well, yes, this is definitely not to be done unless you're dealing with amps manufactured to be bridged... which Sonos is not!

I'm going with Rob's idea. Let me be clear, this is a new installation, sorry if it sounded like an existing install. That being said, I'd like to design it to be straightforward to use and quality sound on all inputs.
Thinking of using a 70 Volt system (thinking outdoor 70v system, sub and Crown cdi1000 with correct DSP's for sats).
My problem is how to switch between wireless mic, feed from Powerpoint (not sure what type of feed yet), and Sonos Connect.

PSS,

You'll probably want some sort of mixing capability that will allow the presenter to talk over another input without running back to a control station to operate a switch. Might there be a requirement to allow multiple presenters?

A 70 volt system with a mixer and amp would be fine. The mixer could take the inputs of a wireless mic system, sonos connect and other analog input from a laptop headphone jack for the power point. JBL makes CS series mixers for this purpose with traditional controls. If you don't need DSP a simple combo mixer/amp would do it. Crown makes a few of them.

If you need a "local" switch for sources, ask Fred about DBX ZonePro and the ZC controllers....this will also give you input priority and ducking if you need it.

Fred, what's your best number to reach you?

pm sent

Absolutely the right idea.


With multiple sources in a home system, you only want one thing at a time, so the concept is to switch inputs. With live systems, you want to be able to run more than one thing at a time, which is what a mixer gives you.

Starting from scratch, what does a Sonos give you? Grasping for a metaphor, I envision a bunch of farm equipment all lined up and ready to harvest, with a KIA somewhere in there....

I don't see any problems using Sonos as a line level source. This could just as easily be a Bluetooth device or a cassette deck. Using Sonos as the core of the system would be inappropriate.