SalamAI Connect a Mixer or Microphone for Live Translation

Audio setup & connectivity: Mixer to computer.
Clear diagrams, no guesswork.

Connect a microphone or mixer to your Windows PC or Mac, then let SalamAI translate the speech. These diagrams show one-to-one, audience and station setups. Check the console and phone requirements before your event.

See the connection diagramsMinimum requirements

In short

How do you connect event audio to SalamAI?

Updated

SalamAI translates whatever audio the console computer’s browser receives, so the job is getting a clean signal into that computer, whether it runs Windows, macOS, Linux or ChromeOS. For one speaker, a headset or microphone can plug in directly. For a stage with a mixer, use USB audio from the mixer, or a USB audio interface with a suitable line input; a 3.5 mm headphone adapter cannot capture audio. Then open the console in current desktop Chrome or Edge, choose the input and check the level. Audience phones never connect by cable: they join over the internet through a link for each language. The console and every phone need stable internet throughout the session.

What are the console and phone requirements?

For the console, use any computer that runs current desktop Chrome or Edge, such as a Windows PC, Mac, Linux or ChromeOS laptop, with a working audio input and stable internet. SalamAI has not published certified minimum CPU, RAM or bandwidth figures, so test on the machine you will use. Audience phones need a current browser, internet access throughout the session and earphones for audio in a shared hall; captions can be read without earphones when enabled. Guests never connect to the console computer by cable. Before the event, test the venue network with the number of listeners and language outputs you expect, because every phone streams over the internet.

Read nextHow live AI translation works →Remote speaker translation →

Choose your setup

Choose an audio connection diagram.

These are example connections. Check your equipment’s ports, audio levels and settings.

Physical audio or display connection Online delivery or coordination

One speaker, many listeners.

For conferences, community talks and presentations with an audio mixer.

Microphones + mixer

Send clear microphone audio from the mixer.

Computer · Console

One to Many. Choose the input and output languages.

Audience Companion

Guests open their language link on a phone and use headphones.

Solid arrows show audio cables. The dashed arrow shows online delivery. Phones do not connect to the computer by USB. The computer needs internet to translate speech.

In the Console

Choose One to Many and select the mixer or audio interface as the input. Turn on a Companion link for each translation language. Share or display its QR code. You can run up to ten languages within your team’s limits. Each language is billed separately.

Keep the venue sound separate

The mixer can also send the original speaker to the venue sound system. Keep translated audio out of the input sent to SalamAI. Otherwise, SalamAI may pick up and translate its own output.

Explore one-way translation

Two people with separate headsets.

For reception desks, interviews and conversations between two languages.

Person A · USB headset

Speaks English. Hears Person B translated into English.

Computer · Console

One to One. Choose a microphone and headphones for each person.

Person B · USB headset

Speaks Malay. Hears Person A translated into Malay.

Each headset sends its microphone audio and plays the other person’s translation. Both connect to the computer. Internet is required. Choosing separate outputs depends on the browser and devices.

Select and test both headsets

Choose both languages and a separate input and output for each person. Test each headset to check who hears the translation. Start with current desktop Chrome or Edge when you need separate audio outputs.

Using a shared mic or phones?

A mixed audio feed does not separate two speakers. Use the shared-microphone option with Hold to speak when enabled, or pair a Participant Companion phone. Each phone needs internet, microphone permission and a tap to enable audio.

Hands-free works best with separate close microphones and headphones. For shared audio, take turns and let the translated phrase finish before the next person speaks.

Explore two-way conversations

Several stations, separate conversations.

A campaign groups stations for an event. A grant gives one station a private link and password. It is not an audience listening link.

Campaign administrator

Creates station access, sets rules and checks usage and help requests.

Online access and rules · no shared audio

Station 1 · private station accessWelcome desk

Its own browser, input devices and headphones.

Independent conversation
Station 2 · private station accessInformation desk

Its own browser, input devices and headphones.

Independent conversation
Station 3 · private station accessSupport desk

Its own browser, input devices and headphones.

Independent conversation
Use the one-to-one audio setup at each station. Conversations run separately. The administrator’s computer does not mix audio from all stations.

For the organiser

Create the campaign and station access. Set allowed languages and speaking modes. Share each link and password privately with its operator. Every active station needs a compatible device and internet.

For each station

Open the station link, then connect and test its microphones and headsets. Start the session when ready. Campaign rules may also allow participant phones, a shared phone or a shared microphone.

Explore campaign stations

Show captions on a shared screen.

Show translated subtitles or captions in the speaker’s original language.

Microphones + mixer

Use the same clear audio input as a voice translation session.

Computer · Console

Select Subtitles only or Same-language captions.

Projector or display

Open the caption window on the connected screen.

Connect the screen to the computer with a display cable. SalamAI still needs internet. With text-only output, you do not need to play translated audio in the hall.

Set up the caption screen

Open large subtitles or a separate caption window on the venue display. Check that people can read it from the back of the room. A text-only Companion link can also let guests read on their phones when enabled.

Just keeping meeting notes?

The same input can be used with Transcribe only where enabled. That standalone mode does not create audience streams or summaries. Choose a supported summary-enabled session when you need both a transcript and follow-up notes.

Explore captions & transcription
How to connect the mixer to your computer ↓

Get the source right

Connect by USB or an audio interface.

A USB audio mixer can send sound directly to the computer. Other mixer outputs need an audio interface with the right input.

01 / USB audio

Your mixer already has USB audio.

USB mixer or mic

A device that supports audio input over USB.

Your computer

USB-A or USB-C host port; adapter if needed.

USB-A and USB-C are connector shapes. Check that the mixer’s USB port sends audio. A port used only for power or control cannot do this.

Use a cable that carries data and fits the device. Install a driver only if the manufacturer requires one for your operating system.

02 / Analogue audio, including 3.5 mm

Your mixer has a line output.

Mixer or sound source

Line-level out: 3.5 mm, RCA, TRS or another supported connector.

USB audio interface

Capture through a suitable LINE input.

Your computer

Select the interface as the input.

A 3.5 mm source usually needs a USB audio interface with a suitable input. A headphone-output adapter cannot record incoming audio.

Match the number of audio channels and the signal level to the interface. Stereo 3.5 mm audio may need separate left and right line inputs. One balanced TRS input is not stereo. Use a line output, never an amplified speaker output.

  1. Check the computer’s input first.On a Mac, open System Settings → Sound → Input. On Windows, open Settings → System → Sound → Input. On Linux or ChromeOS, use the system sound settings. Select the USB mixer or interface and confirm its level meter responds to speech. Apple’s Mac input guide ↗
  2. Select the same source in SalamAI.In Translate, use Your microphone, choose the connected input and select Line-in or mixer, no processing for a sound-desk feed. Use the headset or room-microphone preset for those sources instead.
  3. Keep translated audio out of the input.Send clear speech from a suitable mixer output. Keep the level below clipping, which causes distortion. Keep translated audio out of this input. USB loopback can capture computer playback again, so check the mixer settings.

Before you connect

Console and phone requirements.

Check these requirements for the setups above. Available features depend on the browser and your team’s enabled options.

For the operator

Console on a computer

Device & browser
Use a Windows PC, Mac, Linux or ChromeOS computer that runs current desktop Chrome or Edge, with JavaScript enabled. Open the console over HTTPS. Any operating system works when the computer receives clean audio through proper hardware.
Audio input
A working microphone, USB audio mixer, or compatible audio interface. Both the operating system and the browser must allow microphone access. A mixer feed must appear as an available audio input.
Playback & display
Headphones or a tested output device for spoken translation. Use separate, selectable devices for separate listeners. A display connection is optional for projected captions.
Access & internet
You need an authorised SalamAI account, enabled translation features and stable internet. Keep the console open and stop the computer from sleeping during the session.

For an event: connect power, prefer wired Ethernet where available, and test the exact audio devices and language outputs in advance.

For the guest or participant

Companion on a phone

Device & browser
Use a phone or tablet with a current browser and JavaScript enabled. Start with Safari on iPhone or iPad, or Chrome or Edge on Android. Open the link in the browser, outside a social or messaging app.
Audience listening
A valid language-specific link, internet access and the organiser’s approval where required. Tap Listen or Play to enable audio. No microphone is required for audience listening or captions.
Speaking in One to One
A Participant Companion link is different: allow microphone access, tap Enable microphone and audio, and keep the page in the foreground during the conversation.
Headphones & captions
Bring headphones or earphones for translated audio in a shared hall. They help you listen without disturbing others. Text-only guests can read captions without headphones when the host enables them.

On iPhone/iPad: set the audio route and media volume on the device. Mic and speaker use together can cause popping or interrupted sound; headphones are the preferred setup.

Every device needs internet.

The console computer and every Companion device need internet. Phones do not receive translation through a USB cable from the computer. Check that venue Wi-Fi and internet can handle your audience and languages. Test with realistic use.

Test your actual equipment.

SalamAI has no published certified minimum processor, memory, operating-system versions, or bandwidth per listener. Use a system that supports a current browser. Test your devices, language count and venue network with the SalamAI team.

Before your event

Test the audio
before guests arrive.

  1. Check each microphone.Speak into each mic. Confirm the intended input meter responds, with no clipping or accidental laptop-mic pickup.
  2. Check each translation output.Test each selected language and headset. For two people, check both directions. Keep translated playback out of the input feed.
  3. Test a guest phone.Scan each language QR from a separate phone, complete any approval and tap Play. Test audio and captions using the venue network.
  4. Ask guests to bring headphones.Ask guests before the event to bring headphones or earphones. In the hall, use headphones for audio or follow captions so others are not interrupted.

AI translations can make mistakes. Validate important language pairs and terminology with people who understand them, and test the physical setup before relying on it.

Hardware references

The wiring plans are illustrative and are not an endorsement of a particular mixer or interface. Product workflows follow SalamAI’s Console and Companion controls. For physical connections, check your hardware manual and these manufacturer guides.

Common questions

Audio connection questions

Can I use a 3.5 mm cable to send mixer audio into a computer?

Usually you need a USB audio interface with a suitable line input. A headphone-output adapter cannot capture audio. Check your computer’s ports and the mixer’s signal level. See the USB and analogue connection diagrams.

Do guests connect their phones to the console computer with USB cables?

No. Audience Companion uses an online link for each language. Guests need internet access and headphones for audio in a shared hall. Captions can be used without headphones when enabled.

Can SalamAI work without internet?

No. The console and Companion devices need internet access during the session. Test the venue network with the number of listeners and language outputs you expect.

What are the minimum computer requirements?

Any Windows PC, Mac, Linux or ChromeOS computer works with a current desktop Chrome or Edge browser, a working audio input and stable internet. SalamAI has not published certified minimum CPU, RAM or bandwidth figures. Read the full console and phone requirements.

Plan your event

Event coming up?
Let everyone understand.

Tell us your languages, crowd size and audio setup. We’ll show you SalamAI live and suggest the right setup for your event.

Already have an account? Open the console →

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