You can use speakers or a PA system with Lutefish Stream — but it adds a little setup complexity compared to headphones.

This guide explains two common approaches.

Option 1 — Simple Setup (Direct to Powered Speakers)

If you just want basic PA output:

1. Set up your inputs as you normally would.

2. Use the headphone output on the Lutefish Stream:

   • ¼” output

   • or 3.5mm output

3. Run that output directly into:

   • Powered speakers

   • A powered monitor

   • Or a mixer input

Volume Control

• The large volume knob controls overall output level.

• Your mix is adjusted in the Mixer tab (just like with headphones).

Option 2 — Advanced Setup (Using a Mixer for Submixes)

If you want more routing control and you have a mixer with aux sends:

Step 1 — Route Your Local Inputs

• Plug all local instruments and microphones into your mixer.

• Use an Aux Send (or submix out) to send only your local instruments to the Lutefish Stream inputs.

Important:

• Do not send the full mix.

• Only send your local sources to Lutefish.

Step 2 — Bring Lutefish Back Into the Mixer

• Take the Lutefish headphone output.

• Plug it into a separate channel on your mixer.

Now you have:

• Local instruments on their own channels.

• Remote participants on a separate channel.

Step 3 — Create Your Main PA Mix

Create a mixer output that includes:

• Your local instruments

• Lutefish return audio

This output goes to your PA speakers.

Critical Setting: Prevent Hearing Yourself Twice

Inside Lutefish:

• Go to the Mixer tab

• Find your orange headphone slider

• Set it to 1

If you do not:

• You will hear yourself twice (direct + return path).

• Setting it to 0 mutes you entirely for everyone.

• Setting it to 1 keeps it low enough to avoid noticeable doubling.

Why Using a PA Adds Latency

Sound traveling through air takes time.

Approximate rule:

• Sound travels about 1 millisecond per foot

So if:

• You’re 10 feet from the speaker

• You’re adding about 10ms of acoustic delay

This can:

• Make timing feel slightly behind

• Be noticeable in tight rhythmic playing

Headphones avoid this entirely.

Alternative: Headphone Amplifier

Instead of a PA, consider:

• A headphone amplifier

• Multiple wired headphones

This provides:

• Zero acoustic delay

• Better timing accuracy

• Easier mix control

For real-time collaboration, headphones are always the most stable option.

Quick Summary

• You can use speakers instead of headphones.

• Simple method: headphone out → powered speaker.

• Advanced method: mixer with aux send + return channel.

• Set your orange slider to 1 to avoid double monitoring.

• PA systems add acoustic latency.

• Headphones remain the best performance option.