Depending on the venue or type of event there may be a point in the night when the DJ needs to make an announcement (or several) such as last call or birthday shoutouts. What if they forgot to bring a mic or a mic isn’t available at the club? There’s a very simple solution, use headphones as a microphone.

Headphone and Mic Similarities

Headphones and microphones are actually very similar. Both headphones and microphones contain a diaphragm. Both devices trade in vibrations, it’s just that headphones vibrate the diaphragm to create sound while microphones monitor vibrations from sound in order to record it.

Tips For Using Headphones As A Mic

To use your headphones as a mic plug your headphones into the mic input of the mixer. Make sure the mic levels are turned all the way down, talk into the mic and bring up the levels as needed. If the mixer/controller has EQ controls turn down the lows to reduce the boominess of your voice and increase the highs. One other important thing to watch out for is feedback (that high pitched squeal from the mic picking up the signal) Headphones have a larger surface area which makes it really easy to pick up feedback. Turn off the booth monitors so it doesn’t pick up the music or your own voice. Make your announcement, turn off the mic, then unplug your headphones. Easy as that.

Need help choosing a microphone?

Review: Four Great Budget Microphones for DJs