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Guide to Tech Riders and Stage Plots for Shows and Tours

  • Writer: Off Trail Studios
    Off Trail Studios
  • Dec 22, 2025
  • 4 min read

Tech Riders and Stage Plots are often misunderstood or skipped entirely, especially at the DIY level. But they are some of the simplest tools for making live shows smoother, faster, and more professional.


Whether you’re playing your first club gig or heading out on your first tour, having clear technical information saves time, reduces stress, and helps everyone walk into the room prepared.


Why Every Artist Needs Them

Whether you’re playing your first club gig or heading out on your first tour, having a Tech Rider and Stage Plot will save you stress, time, and confusion.


These two documents tell venues, promoters, and engineers exactly what you need for a smooth show — from how many microphones you’ll use to where everyone stands on stage.


Even small artists benefit from having these on hand. It’s one of the simplest ways to present yourself professionally and make soundcheck seamless.




🎛 Step 1 — What a Tech Rider Is


A Technical Rider explains all the technical details of your live setup. It helps the venue and sound engineer prepare before you arrive so load-in and soundcheck go smoothly.


A solid Tech Rider includes:

  • Lineup: who plays what

  • Input List / Channel List: every sound source going through the PA

  • Backline: what you bring versus what you need

  • Monitoring: what each member needs to hear

  • Lighting + Power: preferences or voltage requirements

  • Contact Info: who to reach for questions


💡 Focus on clarity, not perfection. List what you actually use.


Input List & Patch Order

Organize your inputs in standard patch order so engineers can pre-patch easily:

Kick, Snare, Hi-Hat, Toms, Overheads, Bass, Guitars, Keys, Tracks, Vocals.

Put your essential sources first in case you need to drop channels as a support act.


Playback & Clicks

If you use tracks or a click, include a short, clear section:


Example:

Laptop (Ableton) → Interface (Focusrite 8i6)

  • 1–2: Stereo tracks to FOH

  • 3: Click to band only

  • Drummer triggers playback

  • 48kHz sample rate

  • Band brings DIs and cables


This prevents routing confusion and speeds up soundcheck.


Power & Lighting

Note how much power you need and where.

  • Voltage (UK 230V / US 120V)

  • Number of outlets per side of stage

  • Bring your own power strips if unsure

  • Lighting preferences (basic wash, no strobes, haze ok)

  • UK artists: ensure gear is PAT-tested



🎚 Step 2 — What a Stage Plot Is

A Stage Plot is the visual layout of your band on stage.

It shows each member’s position, monitors, amps, microphones, and power needs.

Label everything clearly (“Mix 1 – Lead Vocal,” “Bass Amp,” “AC Outlet”).


Recommended FREE Stage Plot builders:


🧾 Step 3 — Combine Them

Once finished, combine your Tech Rider and Stage Plot into one file. Include a version number, date, and contact info in the header.


Two options:

  • One PDF: paste your Stage Plot at the end of your Tech Rider, then export

    (e.g. ARTISTNAME_TechRider_v1_2025.pdf)

  • Linked: keep your Tech Rider as a Google Doc and link out to your Stage Plot hosted on Musicotec or TecRider



🎟 Step 4 — Working With Venues

Your Tech Rider lists what you need — but every venue has its own house specs (what they already have).


A simple workflow:

  1. Create your Tech Rider + Stage Plot (your ideal setup).

  2. Ask for the venue’s house tech specs once booked.

    “Hi [Venue], could you send your house tech specs so we can match setups?”

  3. Compare and adjust. You may need to bring extra gear.

  4. Send your final version 1–2 weeks before the show.


Re-send updated details during show week if anything changes.


Also confirm load-in time, stage size, parking, risers, merch area, and set changeover time. These details make everyone’s day easier.

You Provide

Venue Provides

You Both Confirm

Tech Rider

House Specs

Gear compatibility

Stage Plot

Mics, DIs, Monitors

Setup plan

Contact Info

Sound Engineer

Load-in + Soundcheck


🚌 Step 5 — Scaling Up for a Tour


1. Create a Master Tech Pack

Include:

  • Tech Rider (standard setup)

  • Stage Plot (layout)

  • Band contact info


Name it clearly, for example: ARTISTNAME_MasterTechRider_2025.pdf


2. Make Advance Sheets for Each Show

Field

Example

Venue

The Louisiana, Bristol

Date

March 12, 2025

Load-in / Soundcheck

4 PM / 5 PM

Backline Provided

Drum kit, 3 mics

Missing Gear

Keyboard + DI

Sound Engineer

Sam @ venue.com

Notes

Tight stage, 2 wedges only

Send these alongside your Tech Rider — this process is called advancing the tour.


3. Organize Your Files

TOUR 2025 / TECH INFO
│
├── MasterTechRider_2025.pdf
├── StagePlot_Standard.pdf
├── 01_Bristol_Advance.pdf
├── 02_London_Advance.pdf
└── ContactList_TourTeam.xlsx

4. Update As You Go

Note changes after each show and update your Master file at the end of the tour.


5. Who Sends What

Role

Responsibility

Tour Manager / Band Leader

Sends advances & confirms gear

Venue / Promoter

Shares house specs

Sound Engineer

Confirms compatibility

If you’re DIY, whoever handles booking can send advances.


⚡ Step 6 — Stay Flexible

Not every stage will have everything you want — and that’s normal. Professionalism is about communication and adaptability, not rigidity.


💡 Keep in mind: a Hospitality Rider (food, drinks, towels, etc.) is a separate document.



✅ Final Takeaway

  • Write your Tech Rider first — it defines your setup

  • Build your Stage Plot second — it visualizes it

  • Always compare with venue specs before the show

  • Combine both into one shareable file

  • For tours, create one Master Tech Pack plus Advance Sheets

  • Keep everything organized and up to date

  • Stay flexible — that’s true professionalism


🔗 Helpful Resources


A clear Tech Rider and Stage Plot make soundcheck smoother and show everyone you respect their time and your craft.



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