Getting Started: Setting Up Your Lutefish Stream Device in 5 Easy Steps

As easy as pie. Or toast.

Every morning, I kick-start my day with a slice of toast.

Sure, it’s tasty, but the real draw is that it’s quick and easy.

1.) Toast bread. 2.) Butter toast. 3.) Eat toast and enjoy.

So when I unboxed my Lutefish Stream recording device and glanced at the enclosed instructions, I was pleasantly surprised. “Huh, this looks pretty simple,” I thought. But I’ll be honest, I was still a little skeptical. After all, I’ve struggled with assembling a lamp despite clear, image-only instructions. The point is: I’m not great with instruction. I crave simplicity … make is easy, please.

Well, this instruction-challenged musician can confidently say: The Lutefish Stream has easy covered. In fact, all it takes is five easy steps and you’re ready to roll.

Step 1: Create your account at Lutefish.com.

This was a breeze — and fun too. Like any other website account sign-up, you fill out a short social profile and brief bio. Unlike any other website, you can identify yourself by the music genres and instruments you love to play. Plus, you can rank your skill level for each instrument. This lets other musicians in the Lutefish community know more about you. Let’s say they’re looking for someone to start a jam session with. Or maybe they’re searching for something more long term, like a bandmate. It’s important to complete this section. Also, be sure to write a brief bio to add a little more detail and personality to your profile.

OK, now for the fun part: Choosing your avatar. You have two options: upload a photo or let AI work its magic. Of course, I wanted to see what the internet would come up with, so I went with the AI option. You simply choose your favorite animal, instrument and genre. Then click “Generate Avatar,” and within seconds your new profile photo’s ready. (If you don’t like the one served up, you can generate up to four avatars a day.) For my avatar, I selected dog, drums and rock. (Remember, I like to keep it simple.) The image is hilarious: A golden retriever behind the drum kit with a big, goofy smile as he bangs away on the skins like he’s playing Phil Collins’ drum fill from “In the Air Tonight.”

That’s it. Account created. All in all, even with trying a few different avatars, I was done with step 1 in less than five minutes.

Step 2: Connect the Stream to your router via Ethernet.

Again, if you’re like me and you hear words like “router” and “Ethernet,” you might think, “Uh-oh ... this might go as well as the last time I hooked up that new printer and our internet went down for a few hours.” I am very happy to report this is not the case with Lutefish Stream. Really, the device is like any other interface you probably already own. On the rear panel, you’ll find your Ethernet port. You just plug in the included 25-foot cable to the Ethernet port, and plug the other end into your router.

Step 3: Connect to power using the included USB cable and wall adapter.

This step is beyond easy. You simply connect your power plug to the side panel. The LED status bar will light up, waving a blue and orange gradient, to let you know your Lutefish Stream is initializing.

Step 4: Link your Stream to your Lutefish account.

Now that you’re all powered up, it’s time to connect your device to your account online. Nothing challenging here, either. On Lutefish.com, you just go to “Account Menu” in the upper-right corner. Then choose “Account Settings” from the drop-down menu, and select “Device Setup.” Next, click “Add New Device” and enter the serial number on the bottom of your Stream. You’ll see an alert that reads “Device Connected!”

Step 5: You’re ready to rock.

And like that, it’s time to make some music and jam with others online — in real time with low latency. (The latency levels are 30 milliseconds or less. Meaning, you don’t detect it AT ALL.) The very first time I scheduled a jam session with my band’s drummer, Nate, we were making music together in no time — 20 miles apart. It was simple, fast and tasty.

Just like my morning toast.