Number mixes by position, not by habit
Assign a stable mix number to each performer or shared position and use that number on the plot and monitor list. If the lineup changes between show formats, document the numbering for each format instead of relying on a historic patch that no longer matches the stage.
- Mix number and performer or position
- Wedge, sidefill, wired IEM, or wireless IEM delivery
- Mono or stereo requirement
- Artist-supplied or venue-supplied hardware
- Talkback, cue, shout, or ambience requirements
Place wedges and IEM positions on the plot
Show the direction and number of each wedge so the crew can prepare placement and cabling. For IEM users, mark the performer position and identify whether the transmitter, receiver, combiner, and antenna system travel with the artist. Do not imply that an IEM mix requires no stage infrastructure.
Describe priorities without writing a fixed mix
A rider can state the sources a performer generally needs, such as lead vocal, kick, bass, keys, and a little audience ambience. Exact balances belong to soundcheck. Use priorities to help the monitor engineer prepare, while leaving room for the room, microphones, and performance to shape the final mix.
Plan talkback, cues, and audience ambience
Talkback routing, musical-director cues, playback count-ins, and ambience microphones are easy to omit because they are not always visible to the audience. Add them to the input and monitor plans, specify who hears them, and state whether they must remain out of the main PA.
Run a monitor preflight
- Every plotted mix number exists in the monitor list
- Every monitor source exists in the input list
- Stereo and mono delivery is explicit
- Artist and venue supply responsibilities are separated
- Wireless coordination and local frequency rules are advanced separately
Build the working document on your Mac.
Stage Plot Forge keeps the visual plot, production lists, notes, and exports together in one local project.
Download Stage Plot Forge