Technical rider
Stage plot and input list maker for your band
A technical rider tells the venue's sound engineer what your band needs on stage. Songtape lets you draw the stage plot, build the input list and export both as one PDF to send before the gig.
What goes in a technical rider
- Stage plot
- A top-down drawing of the stage: where each musician stands and where the drums, amps, keys and monitors go.
- Input list
- One line per channel: source, microphone or DI box, and whether it needs 48V phantom power.
- Monitors and mixes
- How many monitor mixes or in-ear feeds the band needs.
- Power
- Where the band needs power drops on stage.
- Backline and notes
- The gear you need from the venue, hospitality and soundcheck times.
How to build it in Songtape
- Open the Rider tab. Go to your band's project and open Rider from the navigation.
- Place instruments on the stage. Tap guitars, bass, drums, keys, vocal mics, DI boxes, monitors and power drops to add them, then drag, rotate and resize them into position.
- Check the input list. Each item brings its own channels, so the input list fills itself with channel, source, mic or DI and 48V phantom. Edit the names or drag channels to reorder them.
- Add your notes. Write the backline you need from the venue, hospitality and soundcheck times.
- Download the PDF. Export the stage plot, input list and notes as a single PDF and send it to the venue.
What it costs
The technical rider is part of Songtape Pro (€8/month, launching soon). The Free plan includes one album, three songs, 50 MB of audio and collaboration, but not the rider.
Questions
What is a stage plot?
A stage plot is a simple top-down diagram of your band on stage. It shows where each musician and instrument sits so the venue can set up microphones, monitors and power before you arrive.
What is an input list?
An input list is a table of every sound source that goes to the mixing desk: channel number, instrument or vocal, microphone or DI box, and whether it needs 48V phantom power.
Do I need a technical rider for a small gig?
Not always, but a short stage plot and input list saves soundcheck time even in small venues, because the sound engineer knows what to expect before you load in.
Is the stage plot maker free?
No. It is part of Songtape Pro. The Free plan covers songs, lyrics and chords for one album, and Pro adds the band tools: concerts, technical rider, calendar and expenses.
What it does not include (yet)
There is no dedicated backline inventory (you write the backline in the notes), no venue contact book and no member availability.