What Is a Tech Rider?
A tech rider (technical rider) is the document you send a venue or promoter that specifies everything needed to stage your performance. It removes guesswork for the production team and protects your show from surprises. At its heart are two things every engineer looks for first: your stage plot and your input list.
What to Include in a Tech Rider
- Stage plot — a to-scale layout of performers, instruments, and gear.
- Input list — channel numbers, sources, mics/DIs, stands, and phantom power.
- Monitor requirements — number of mixes and types (wedges, side fills, IEMs).
- Backline — what you bring and what you need the venue to provide.
- Power requirements — AC drops and locations on stage.
- Stage dimensions — minimum usable stage size and riser needs.
- Contact details — your tour or production manager's name and phone.
How to Build a Tech Rider
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Start with the stage plot
Lay out your performers and gear to scale. Open a template to move fast.
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Generate the input list
Your mics and DIs become a patch-ready input list automatically.
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Specify monitors and backline
Note each monitor mix and list the backline you provide versus what you need supplied.
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Add power and notes
Mark AC power locations and add any special technical requirements or stage notes.
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Brand and export
Add your logo and contact info, then export a professional PDF to send to the venue.
New to this? Start with the full guide to making a stage plot, the foundation of every tech rider.