dj mixer

You’ll need to attach the mixer output to a SONOS unit that offers a Line-In, such as a PORT, FIVE, AMP, or an ERA-100 or ERA-300 while using the USB adaptor. There are also some older units with Line-In. You would then Group the Line-In capable device with the MOVE.

Overall, I don’t recommend attempting to use this any SONOS speakers in a live venue because there is a latency between Line-In and output from SONOS players that will drive most DJ’s crazy.

Also, you’ll need access to a WiFi network. 

You could attach a Bluetooth transmitter to the mixer output. I would not attempt this, but it would be inexpensive to try out.

So you believe that using a mixer with a sonos could not be very goods idea

The mixer will not be the problem. As Buzz has already said, the problem is the delay that Sonos adds to the system. It’s unavoidable, because it’s the only way to synchronise the output from multiple speakers. But it means that a DJ using headphones connected directly to the source will have to cope with a time difference between what they hear in the headphones and what they hear in the room.

Professional DJ’s with lots of experience in large halls are used to a delay. Inexperienced amateurs operating in a basement or small hall are very frustrated by a delay.

SONOS is extremely well designed, but it is not designed to be used in sound reinforcement applications. I’ll say similar for professional sound systems that are very appropriate in a large hall, everyone loves the results, but I would never use that equipment in my home because it sounds bad in a home environment.

I’m going to dig out my old technics 1210 turntables and a mixer. I have a Sonos setup at home (Ones, Arc, Sub etc). I can imagine the delay (between what you hear in the headphones and what you hear from the speakers) would be annoying to say the least. I’m thinking of getting around this using an audio delay box between the mixer and the headphones. I’m thinking that if I can delay the headphone the same amount as the Sonos speakers then that will sort it. 75ms of delay apparently. Quick question, are you lot thinking I can use a Sonos Port and connect it directly to my mixer so the turntables can play through the Sonos system? I.e no need for an amplifier between the mixer and Sonos Port? Thanks. 

The Port uses standard RCA plugs and line-level inputs so if your mixer uses the same it should be no problem.

To deal with the echo issues I’ve found some really good ear-plugs cut down the live sound enough I could deal with it when trying to talk. Delaying the sound to the headphones would likely make trying to talk even harder. Mouth, ears and brain all need to be in sync.

That’s not going to work, because the problem isn’t that you are hearing the music later than your headphones, the problem is you are hearing the music later than the manual input into the mixer/turntables need to be executed.  Any manual input that depends on precise timing is going to get it’s queue(s) 75 ms too late.

​@Stanley_4 thanks for the advice re separate amp

​@jgatie my turntables are old school vinyl, not CDJs, so I’m still thinking delaying the headphones to match the Sonos latency will work. Does this change your view? 

Any analog input in to the Sonos ecosystem will have that delay. What are the headphones connected to? If it’s anything driven by the Sonos, it will automatically have the same delay.