Basics
The concepts behind stage plots, input lists, monitor mixes, and tech riders — explained plainly.
What Is a Stage Plot? (And How to Read One)
A stage plot is a top-down map of your band's stage setup. Learn what goes on it, how it differs from an input list and tech rider, and what makes one engineer-readable.
6 min readBasicsWhat Is a Tech Rider? (Sections Explained)
A tech rider is the full technical package a band sends a venue — console, monitors, PA, backline, power, stage plot, input list, hospitality. Learn every section.
7 min readBasicsStage Plot Symbols & Legend Explained
A visual glossary of stage plot symbols — mics, DI boxes, wedges, IEM packs, drums, amps, keys, power drops. Learn what each icon means and how to read any stage plot.
7 min readBasicsStage Left vs Stage Right (and Stage Directions Explained)
Stage left and stage right are from the performer's perspective facing the audience — which is the mirror of what the audience sees. A clear, memorable explainer of stage directions, house left/right, and upstage/downstage.
7 min readBasicsInput List vs Patch Sheet: What's the Difference?
An input list says what each channel IS. A patch sheet says where it physically patches. Learn the columns each contains, where they overlap, and why keeping them linked beats two drifting files.
9 min readBasicsWhat Is a Monitor Mix? Wedges, IEMs & Mixes Explained
A monitor mix is the dedicated feed a performer hears on stage — through a wedge or in-ear monitors. Learn what it is, why everyone needs their own, wedges vs IEMs, the 'more me' mix, and where it fits in your rider.
9 min readBasicsWhy Your Tech Rider Should Be a Living Document
A tech rider shouldn't be a frozen PDF re-emailed per gig. The case for treating it as a living, single-source-of-truth document: live link beats re-sending, async collaboration lets the right person edit, and rider reuse stops version drift.
12 min readBasicsStage Plot & Tech Rider Basics
Start here: plain-English guides to stage plots, tech riders, input lists, patch sheets, monitor mixes, and stage directions — the fundamentals every band and engineer should know.
3 min readBasicsStage Plot Examples for Bands, Duos, DJs, and Solo Artists
See practical stage plot examples for five common live setups, learn what each one must show, and use a clear checklist before sending yours to a venue.
8 min readBasicsWhat Is Phantom Power? 48V in Live Sound Explained
Phantom power sends DC through a balanced mic cable to run condenser microphones and active DIs. Learn when to use 48V and how to mark it on an input list.
6 min readBasicsIEM vs Wedge Monitors: Which Is Better for Your Band?
Compare IEMs and stage wedges by sound, isolation, feedback, cost, portability, communication, setup, and the details your monitor engineer needs.
6 min readBasicsLine Check vs Soundcheck: What's the Difference?
Learn the difference between a line check and a soundcheck, what each one verifies, who participates, and which rider details help both run efficiently.
8 min readBasicsWhat Is a DI Box? Direct Boxes in Live Sound Explained
Learn what a DI box does, when instruments need one, how active and passive DIs differ, and how to document DI requirements in a stage plot and input list.
7 min readBasicsBalanced vs Unbalanced Audio: Live Sound Connections Explained
Understand balanced and unbalanced audio signals, common connectors, noise rejection, cable runs, and how to document each connection in a live sound rider.
6 min readBasicsXLR vs TRS Cables: Which Connection Should You Use?
Compare XLR, TRS, and TS connectors for microphones, instruments, line-level equipment, headphones, and live sound rider handoffs.
6 min readBasicsMicrophone Stand Types for Live Sound: A Practical Guide
Choose and document straight, tripod, boom, short-boom, round-base, desktop, and instrument microphone stands for a readable stage plot and input list.
6 min readBasicsHospitality Rider vs Technical Rider: What's the Difference?
Separate hospitality and technical rider requirements clearly, assign each item to the right owner, and keep both documents aligned during the show advance.
9 min readBasicsMic Level vs Line Level: Live Sound Signals Explained
Understand mic, instrument, and line level, why mismatches cause noise or distortion, and how to document signal levels in a stage plot and input list.
8 min readBasicsGain Staging for Live Sound: A Practical Signal-Flow Guide
Learn how to set gain through a live sound system, preserve headroom, prevent clipping and noise, and document signal handoffs in a technical rider.
10 min readBasicsPre-Fader vs Post-Fader Aux Sends: Live Sound Routing Explained
Understand pre-fader and post-fader aux sends, choose the right behavior for monitors, effects, recording, and external feeds, and document the routing.
11 min readBasicsLive Sound Signal Flow: From Stage to Speakers
Trace a live sound signal from microphone or DI through stage I/O, console, buses, processing, and loudspeakers, then use the path to troubleshoot a show.
10 min readBasicsSpeaker Cable vs Instrument Cable: Why They Are Not Interchangeable
Compare speaker and instrument cables by signal level, conductor size, shielding, connectors, applications, and the details a live sound rider should document.
10 min readBasicsAux vs Matrix on a Mixer: Live Sound Routing Explained
Understand aux and matrix buses, what normally feeds each one, common monitor and zone uses, routing examples, and how to document outputs in a tech rider.
11 min readBasicsPolarity vs Phase in Live Sound: What Engineers Need to Know
Understand polarity and phase in live sound, hear why combined signals cancel, troubleshoot multi-mic sources, and document polarity decisions for repeatable shows.
10 min readBasicsHigh-Pass Filters in Live Sound: A Practical HPF Guide
Learn what a high-pass filter does, where to start on common live inputs, how to set HPF by listening, and how to document filter requirements without overprocessing.
10 min readBasicsLive Sound Compression: Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release
Learn how audio compression works in live sound, what each control changes, how to set a compressor by listening, and when processing notes belong in a tech rider.
10 min readBasicsNoise Gates in Live Sound: Threshold, Attack, Hold, and Release
Learn how a noise gate works in live sound, how to set threshold and timing controls, avoid chopped transients, and document essential gate decisions in a tech rider.
10 min readBasicsDCA vs Subgroup on a Mixer: Control and Audio Routing
Understand the difference between a DCA/VCA and an audio subgroup, when to use each in live sound, and how to document console grouping in a tech rider.
10 min readBasicsParametric vs Graphic EQ in Live Sound: Uses and Differences
Compare parametric and graphic EQ controls, choose the right equalizer for channels, monitors, and systems, and document essential EQ decisions in a tech rider.
11 min readBasicsPFL vs AFL on a Mixer: Pre-Fade and After-Fade Listening
Learn how PFL and AFL differ, what each solo mode lets a live sound engineer hear and meter, and how to use cue monitoring without affecting the audience mix.
11 min readBasicsCompressor vs Limiter in Live Sound: Control vs Protection
Compare compressors and limiters for live sound, choose the right dynamics tool for sources and outputs, and document critical processing without copying unsafe settings.
13 min readBasicsAnalog vs Digital Mixers for Live Sound: A Practical Comparison
Compare analog and digital mixers for live sound, including routing, recall, stage boxes, reliability, workflow, and the details a tech rider should document.
12 min readBasicsMono vs Stereo in Live Sound: Channels, Mixes, and PA Systems
Learn when live sound sources, mixer channels, buses, and PA feeds should be mono or stereo, and how to document every pair and destination in a tech rider.
14 min read